Page 64 of Time After Time (Golden Sands #1)

We exchanged wide, nervous smiles, our hands clasped in front of us, trembling.

We both hoped the store would gain recognition and attract as many clients as possible.

At the same time, we were anxious about whether people would love the store’s decor and the details I had prepared for the grand opening.

While each of us was more nervous about the parts we were responsible for, we were also jittery and excited for each other.

“People are starting to arrive, ladies.”

The voice startled us, making both Cora and me jump at the same time.

We turned toward it, laughing quietly when we caught each other’s amused expressions.

Robert stood by the door, beaming at us, before walking over.

His hand rested on Cora’s growing belly, rubbing slow circles as if it had already become second nature.

Gosh, I still couldn’t believe Sebastian was going to be a big brother.

I kept picturing him holding a little sister in his arms, and every time, my heart completely melted.

I just knew he was going to be the most overprotective brother, taking her everywhere he went.

No one was going to love her the way he would.

Cora and Robert had been trying for a baby—and even though they were over the moon, Cora had admitted feeling a little torn at first, wondering if Sebastian would be alright after being an only child for so long. But when they told him?

He had been on his way to class with Reth Inoue, walking down the street, and the second they gave him the news over video call, he had screamed loud enough for the whole city to hear, laughing like a maniac.

Right after, he had bombarded his mum with questions, asking if she was okay and if she needed anything.

“Did you talk to my son?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. I couldn’t help but grin at the question.

Even though they had always been close, Sebastian never called Robert ‘Dad’ at first. He was afraid it might feel like too much.

Robert never forced it, either. He never called Sebastian his son, even if he felt it deep down.

But once it happened, once the words slipped out, they stuck.

After that, it was always ‘my dad this’ and ‘my dad that,’ and just as much ‘my son this’ and ‘my son that.’

“He’s stressed with his upcoming exams.” Robert nodded at my words as he stepped closer to his now-wife, pressing a kiss on the side of her forehead.

Cora had known for a while that Sebastian wouldn’t be able to attend the store’s inauguration.

Although he had been disappointed, Cora had taken the news calmly.

“I texted him this morning but haven’t heard back.

” I pressed my lips into a straight line, missing him deeply.

The calendar on my desk was a testament to that.

My pages were white and unused except his expected return date, marked with hearts and crossed-out lines indicating the days that had already passed.

Cora gave my hands a reassuring squeeze while Robert flashed me a supportive smile.

“Oh, the camera.” Robert gestured toward a camera perched on a high shelf in the corner of the store, its lens angled to capture a wide view of the room.

“Is that a good spot? I also brought this one.” He lifted the camera hanging around his neck, its strap resting across his chest. “I can use it to take close-up shots.”

I needed to compile a portfolio showcasing everything I had arranged for the event—activities, food, invitations, and more—along with explanations for my choices.

Therefore, including several photos of the venue was crucial.

Robert had kindly offered to help with this, so he had set one camera to record continuously while using the other to capture still shots, both for their own memories and to help me with my project.

Before long, the store was bustling with more people than just the Venturas and St. James families.

At first, only a few familiar and curious faces came in, but then the crowd grew beyond my expectations, and to both Cora’s and my surprise, visitors from outside Golden Sands began to arrive.

They talked loudly about loving the decoration of the store and even inquired about purchasing specific pieces of furniture once the inauguration party concluded, which Cora eagerly accepted.

As some guests left, others arrived, and the store remained packed with visitors throughout the event. I was relieved that we had arranged for drinks, food, and servers, and that we had taken precautions to protect the antique pieces from any potential incidents.

I stayed on my feet, constantly overseeing every detail of the event.

Despite reassurances from my parents and Cora that everything was in place and nothing could go wrong, I wasn’t ready to relax just yet.

I needed my eyes to be wide open and roaming all over around.

So, of course, once the evening wore on and guests began to leave after a few hours, I was left feeling completely exhausted, my feet sore from hours of standing and moving from one end of the store to the other.

“You did amazing, sweetheart.” As the applause faded, my parents stepped forward, joining those around me.

I sank into a chair that Cora had thoughtfully pulled out.

My heels, which I had specifically chosen for the event, were causing me considerable pain.

I couldn’t help but admit to myself that my mum and Sylvie were right, and I should have broken them in at home first.

“Amazing falls short,” Mr. Marley said, sitting in front of me and finding my hand on top of the table to grasp it and squeeze it with a proud smile that made his eyes close a bit.

His granddaughter, seated beside him, nodded along as she enjoyed some of the leftover treats we had set out on the table.

Robert rested his right elbow on the arm of the chair where I was seated and started showing me the photos on his camera.

The images were breathtaking, and as I looked through them, a wave of relief washed over me.

The pictures, along with the ones he had taken of the guests and the room, and the ones I had snapped before the event—focusing on the decor and details—were going to make my portfolio shine.

I couldn’t wait to compile everything and send it off to the evaluators.

“This is so good,” Aria said, her mouth full of dessert. “The chef or whoever made these did an amazing job.”

At her words, I nodded in agreement. “She’s the best and highest-rated chef I could find who was willing to come to Golden Sands.

” Although I was speaking to Aria, my focus remained on the camera, scrutinising each shot.

“But I haven’t had a chance to try them myself.

” Suddenly, the camera was snatched from my hands, and I looked up to see Robert’s astonished expression, which was echoed by everyone else in the room. “What’s wrong?”

“You haven’t tried them?” Cora asked, stepping closer to the dish and glancing at it with curiosity.

I shook my head. I love sweets. If any desserts or cakes were placed in front of me…

well, I wouldn’t be able to control myself.

Still, nothing ever compared to the desserts Sebastian baked, and I felt weird eating something someone else had baked because it never tasted as amazing as what he prepared.

I scanned the sweets laid out before me, my brow furrowing as the scent of apricots filled the air. I was sure none of the desserts had apricots in them. “I’m not in the mood to eat right now.”

“Can’t believe I took the time to make this new dessert with your favourite flavours and you haven’t even tried it.”

I froze, every muscle in my body going rigid as I continued to stare at the sweets with wide eyes. My mind went into overdrive, replaying the voice in my head and trying to reconcile it with the scene before me.

The voice was unmistakable, but it seemed impossible for its owner to be here, in the same room as me. It couldn’t be . My thoughts swirled in confusion, caught between disbelief and hope. Could it be? Or was my mind playing tricks on me?

Turning to my left, I saw Sebastian standing several steps away. The sight of him took a moment to register as my mind struggled to bridge the gap between reality and the overwhelming surprise of seeing him here .

He was dressed in formal attire—a white shirt that clung to his muscles, especially with his sleeves rolled up.

The absence of the brace on his right arm would always make me smile.

I remembered how anxious he had been after the accident, and how, when he left for his apprenticeship, the brace still weighed heavily on his body and mind.

But with physical and mental therapy and the support of Mr. Inoue, Sebastian had made remarkable progress.

Although his right arm was still a bit slimmer than his left, he was doing pretty well.

The golden hue of his skin had faded, and his hair appeared darker, no longer sunlit by Golden Sands’ rays.

He had recently cut his hair, and the curls now fell perfectly into place, with one strand slipping slightly across his forehead.

As I took in his changed appearance, I noticed the absence of his usual freckles and was captivated by his broad, beaming smile.

The chair I had been sitting in toppled to the ground as I stood up abruptly, still staring at Sebastian with wide eyes and an open mouth.

“What?” I blinked, my gaze darting around the room to see my parents, his parents, and even Mr. Marley and Aria, all smiling widely.

They knew. They knew he was here. “What are you doing here?”

Sebastian didn’t move closer; instead, he chuckled and shook his head, leaning casually against a table across the room. “Apprenticeship is over. I got my certification and letter of recommendation, so I’m back.”