Page 49 of When We Ignite

The usual banter and teasing were replaced with tension. Sebastian’s spark dimmed. Henry’s transformation was even more striking—typically, the life of the party, he became quiet, detached. Watching him jump at his father’s slightest glance was unnerving. It was so unlike him.

Their relationship with their stepmother was polite, cordial even, but distant. Even with Charlotte and my mom present, every interaction felt like a well-rehearsed script, the conversations polished but hollow.

After breakfast, Sebastian’s father asked to see him in his office. The door clicked shut, and that was it. Sebastian didn’t look at me once before he left.

I’d spent the morning dreading how I would face him after what had happened in the kitchen the night before. But now, my anxiety seemed ridiculous. Whatever weighed on Sebastian was far bigger than our unfinished moment.

Also, I was still dodging my mother, and the inevitableWhat are you doing with your life?conversation.

Thankfully, Henry whisked me away to pick up some friends before heading to the marina. His “friends” turned out to be three girls—gorgeous and barely dressed in bikinis. By the time Sebastian showed up an hour later, they were already deep into their first bottle of champagne.

Sebastian didn’t look like himself when he arrived—tense and serious, his usual effortless charm buried beneath whatever had happened in that office. His expression hardened further when he noticed the rest of the party. He poured himself a glass, took a work call, and drifted to the other side of the boat, keeping his distance.

I kept waiting for him to come back, but after an hour, I went looking for him.

He was on the deck, sitting alone, smoking and scrolling through his phone.

“Hey,” I said softly.

He turned, the crease between his brows visible even behind his sunglasses. “Hey.”

These past two days had been a crash course in navigating Sebastian’s moods. Before last night, I had only known the teasing, smiling Sebastian. I had no idea how to deal with him while he was this serious.

“Still working?”

“Not really.” His voice was sharp, clipped.

“Are you okay?”

Clearly, being with his dad had soured his mood. At least that was something I could relate to.

He sighed, dragging from his cigarette. “Not really. I shouldn’t have come out today. Don’t think I’ll be much fun.”

“Did you fight with your dad?”

Sebastian shrugged. “Not a fight, exactly. More of a…difference of opinion. He’s supposed to be retired, but he keeps showing up. It’s like a catchy song you can’t get out of your head.”

“So, yes,” I said.

He chuckled—a small but welcome break in his bad mood. “It’s hard enough being my age and running a multimillion-dollar company. Being treated like a child on top of that? It’s infuriating.”

I couldn’t imagine that kind of pressure, so I said the only thing I could think of. “If there’s nothing you can do about it right now, why not let it go for a little while? Maybe try to have a good time?”

The corners of his lips lifted, just barely. “Are you offering to show me a good time?” he asked, his voice warming slightly. Much better.

“I think Henry’s got that covered. They’re already drunk,” I pointed out, nodding toward the others.

He laughed, a softer sound this time, and reached for my hand, threading his fingers through mine and resting it in his lap. “I’m fairly certain you’d make me feel better than my brother could,” he said with a smirk.

I scrunched my nose. “That sounded terrible,” I teased, and his laugh came louder, freer. “Are you going to come over?”

“Yeah.” His smile widened, but before he could move, Henry’s booming voice cut through the moment.

“Why the fuck are you holed up here?” Henry called out, a bottle dangling from his hand.

I pulled my hand away instinctively, guilt searing through me. “Sorry,” I muttered.

Sebastian’s expression shifted in an instant. His jaw tightened, his smile disappeared, and he stared at his now-empty hand, frowning. “I’m going inside. I have a headache,” he said abruptly, standing and walking away before I could stop him.