Page 93 of When We Ignite

She stopped and looked at me, her sharp gaze scanning my face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m dandy,” I replied with a faint smile, though we both knew it didn’t reach my eyes. Her expression didn’t shift, unconvinced. I sighed deeply and turned back to the window.

It was official: Oliver was starting in two weeks. The announcement had been made, the articles written, the photos taken. The prodigal son had joined the fold at last, and my father couldn’t have looked more pleased. That expression of triumph on his face still made me want to gag. Even with Oliver sticking close, offering his quiet support, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being blindsided. I didn’t want to hold it against him—he didn’t deserve that—but the resentment simmered just under the surface, impossible to ignore.

“I’m getting you a drink,” Aria declared suddenly, rising from her seat.

I chuckled softly, grateful for the reprieve. When she returned, she handed me a glass, filled generously.

“You should have one too.”

She smirked, holding up her own drink in response. “I came into this company to work for you, Sebastian.”

I hummed. “You don’t have to coddle me, Ari. It’s not part of your job description.”

She raised a brow. “I do plenty of things that aren’t in my job description.”

I couldn’t help but smile at that. “Speaking of which, I need you to do something for me.”

“Go on.” She reached for her tablet, always ready.

“This is extremely off the books, Ari,” I said, glancing at her pointedly. She took another sip and waited. “I need you to forward my travel plans to someone.”

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, her lips curving into a curious smile. “Someone outside of work or family?”

“Well,” I considered, “not exactly.”

Her brows furrowed as she waited for clarification.

I took a sip of my drink, bracing myself. “Ethan Bennett.”

Her expression shifted to one of shock. “Who’s Ethan Bennett?”

“Charlotte Bennett’s brother,” I replied, watching the realization dawn in her eyes.

Her jaw dropped. “Sebastian, what?”

I smirked. “Didn’t think I could still leave you speechless.”

“That’s whom you’ve been seeing?”

“So you understand why this is very confidential.”

“Of course,” she muttered, though her frown deepened as she pieced things together.

“He’s nineteen, in case you’re wondering,” I added, noting the flush creeping up her neck. That struck the nerve I knew it would.

“And he’s your…what?”

I grinned, resting my chin on my fist. “My brother-in-law.”

She shot me a sardonic look. “Sebastian Langley, the only people you’ve ever asked me to forward travel plans to are your brothers. Not even your father.”

I shrugged, unbothered. “He’s demanding. Got upset when I told him I wasn’t sure when I’d be back.”

Her eyes widened, and I laughed at her reaction.

“You can’t be serious about this.”