Page 51 of Time After Time (Golden Sands #1)

“Wait,” Sylvie interrupted, her excitement barely contained.

“That’s not all.” My hands rested on top of hers, eager to hear more.

“He’s Benedict Crassus.” The name didn’t ring a bell, and Sylvie’s eyes widened in surprise when she realised I didn’t recognise it.

“Gen, Benedict Crassus! He owns the Crassus buildings—two of them in New York—and he’s the world’s leading seller of vintage vehicles. ”

“No way!” I gasped, my eyes widening in disbelief as I sprang up from the bench. Sylvie quickly followed suit, her feet stomping on the ground.

“Yes fucking way.”

I immediately wrapped my arms around my sister’s shoulders, pulling her into a tight embrace. She responded as fast, wrapping her arms around my waist and resting her head against my neck. Despite my sweat soaking through, she seemed undeterred, letting out a deep sigh as her body shook slightly.

She needed the hug more than I did.

“I’m a bit scared,” she admitted, her voice trembling. Hearing Sylvie—always so strong and fearless in my eyes—say this felt jarring. It made my heart ache, thinking of what could be going through her mind for her to feel that way.

“Why?” I asked, giving her one last squeeze before letting go, though my hands stayed on her shoulders, steadying us both.

“I never aspired to much,” Sylvie began, my brow furrowing as she spoke.

“Hear me out. I never aimed for anything grand—just to follow my passion. And once I achieved that…” She shook her head, looking up to meet my eyes again.

“After reaching that goal, I didn’t have any other plans.

I had hoped to learn more about vehicles, open my own car repair shop here in Golden Sands, attend conventions, take photos, and share everything on social media. But…”

“But you never thought someone like Crassus would be interested in your expertise?” I asked, noticing Sylvie’s nervous tic—scrunching her nose, which she only did when under a lot of stress.

“With all the knowledge and natural talent you have for cars, you never imagined that someone from a big company might want you?”

A grin spread across my face, overwhelmed with joy for my sister and the opportunities this could bring her.

“Do you think I’m making the right choice by accepting it? By leaving Golden Sands?” The sun seemed to have softened, its heat turning pleasant rather than overwhelming. A faint breeze had picked up, giving me goosebumps on my arms, or maybe it was just the thought of my sister leaving.

I scoffed, shaking my head as I glanced at the bench where we had been sitting moments before, trying to sort through my own emotions.

“Can I be honest?” I asked, watching as Sylvie nodded and sat on the bench, her posture showing she was ready to stay as long as needed.

“I don’t want you to leave.” Her legs started bouncing, despite her efforts to stay still.

“Being in a big city means we won’t get to see each other as often, and while we have phones and all.

..” I had to pause, blinking back tears as they welled up.

“There will be times when you will be too busy, or I will.”

She nodded so rapidly that it made me think she had already thought of this herself. “And we won’t be able to have our sisterly dates as often,” she added, her frown deepening as she blinked, uncomfortable with showing such vulnerability.

“But,” I emphasised the word, making it stand out, and Sylvie looked up at me with wide eyes full of hope that nearly broke me.

“But this is a huge opportunity, Sylvie. How often do you get a chance like this? It’s perfect for you.

” I took a step closer and crouched down in front of her.

“Yes, opening a car workshop here is a great idea, and I’m sure it would succeed.

But antique cars have always fascinated you.

This job will let you work with them, learn more, and—” Sylvie chuckled, though it sounded like a desperate attempt to hold back tears.

“And if you don’t take it, I’ll have to face my fear of driving and take you myself.

Because, as your sister, and out of how much I love you, I won’t let you miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance. ”

“Fucking shit, Gen,” Sylvie spoke, her hands moving up to rub her eyes with the backs of her palms after handling festival items. When she pulled them away, her eyes were red, and a streak of mascara was smeared across her eyelids.

“I hate leaving this place.” She glanced around, as if trying to take in every detail before a plane whisked her away. “And I hate leaving you, too.”

I shook my head, letting my own tears fall.

I wanted to tell her that my place was here, but was it?

I wasn’t sure, but I knew I loved this small town and hoped I would continue to, even after Sebastian and Sylvie were gone.

“But I think I want this,” she said, shaking her head as if realising the truth. “I want this.”

“Then what else do you need?” I asked, managing a teary smile. “This is for you.”

Eventually, Sylvie had to leave, but not without hugging me for a few more minutes that I wished were interminable. And after helping me carry everything to the heart of the bustling square, where the other festival staff and volunteers were waiting, she said her goodbyes and left.

I watched her walk away, the sight of her back becoming one I’d have to get used to seeing less often.

The thought unsettled me deeply. My clothes felt uncomfortably tight, as if the sweat had fused them to my skin, and my shoes seemed packed with sand, though I knew that was impossible as I hadn’t been on the beach today.

I lost track of time as I stared at Sylvie’s receding figure until she blended with the crowd in the square, becoming just one more figure among many.

With a pang of anguish, I turned around, ready to carry the boxes into the town hall by myself. But just as my fingers grazed one of the boxes, a cold sensation brushed against the side of my neck. “Did you drink anything today?”

The cool touch on my skin and the familiar voice sent tingles through my entire body. I closed my eyes in bliss, feeling the tension in my forehead and the discomfort in my temples begin to melt away. “I don’t want you passing out.”

An overwhelming urge to weep washed over me. I felt a desperate need to turn around and throw myself into his arms, hoping that his warmth and reassuring words would chase away my anxieties, as they often did.

After taking a few deep breaths to compose myself, I turned around to meet Sebastian’s concerned gaze.

“Hey,” Sebastian locked eyes with me as he pulled the icy soda bottle away from my neck and brought it to his mouth, opening it and wincing in the process.

“Quick.” His words came out garbled, with the bottle cap still between his teeth.

He held the bottle out toward me, worried that my pained expression was due to the heat.

Gratefully, I let him bring the bottle to my lips, and he tilted it so I could take a sip.

I hadn’t realised how thirsty I was until I started gulping down sip after sip, making Sebastian pull the bottle away, reminding me to slow down.

“Thank you.” I wiped a few droplets from my chin with the back of my hand, realising that Sebastian had probably brought me the soda to help with my sugar levels, given the extreme heat that had settled over our town today.

I took the bottle from him, removing the cap from between his teeth before closing it and setting it behind me on the wooden table where the boxes were stacked.

“You feeling better now?” His concern was so evident that I couldn’t help but grin widely.

Sebastian furrowed his brow, not fully convinced by my smile. It was as if he could sense a hint of anguish in my eyes, and the harder I tried to force a reassuring grin, the deeper his frown became.

He glanced around, seemingly searching for someone, but as his face drew closer to mine, I realised he was making sure no one else was watching what he was about to do.

My right palm pressed against his chest, feeling the muscles beneath his shirt flex as I tilted my head forward, eager for his kiss.

His slightly damp lips met mine in a gentle kiss that I savoured for a few precious seconds.

Then, as his lips parted mine and his tongue brushed against my own, he pulled away, glancing around once more to ensure no one had witnessed the moment.

If only that kiss had lasted a few seconds longer.

Over the past two weeks, Sebastian and I have been through everything together, our bond growing stronger with each day.

But now, there was something new between us—something electric.

The kind of desire that pulls us together, that makes me question how deep my feelings for him really go.

It’s thrilling and terrifying all at once, making me want to scream into the endless sky, just to release everything I’m holding inside. But I don’t even know what I’m holding.

“How’s your arm?” My voice came out softer than I intended as his lips brushed mine. My hand stayed pressed against his chest, gripping the fabric of his soft white t-shirt like it was the only thing keeping me from collapsing.

“Good,” he murmured, swallowing hard. His jaw tensed, and I couldn’t help but frown in response.

Sebastian had been through multiple breakdowns in recent weeks, terrified that his arm wouldn’t heal, that he’d have to give up the dream he’d fought so hard for.

I was there, morning and night, knowing my words sometimes fell short, but hoping my presence and tight embraces would give him some kind of hope—or at least show him I had no doubts about his future.

I couldn’t predict whether he’d fully regain his mobility, but this was Sebastian.

No matter what, I knew he’d find a way to keep moving forward.