“I’m kidding, Sebastian.
No one hit on me, and I didn’t give my number to anyone. I honestly didn’t even notice the waiters until Pippa pointed them out. That’s how wrapped up I am in you.”
“Good,” he says. “Because that’s exactly how I feel. You are mine, Ava. Mine.”
I fist the bedsheet, breathing hard. “Yours,” I agree.
“I have to go now, but I promise I’ll call tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
I spend the next day drafting more campaign proposals based on the latest feedback I got from the team. Massaging my temples, I try to come up with some more ideas. I’m pleased the team seems to accept Martha. Unfortunately, Martha isn’t too happy in San Francisco. A little digging reveals she longs to return to Seattle, where she’s from. I have lunch with the marketing team; and when I return to my office, I find a cup of coffee on my desk, and a note.
You’re too tense today.
Love,
Sebastian
P.S. It’s with almond milk.
I can’t believe he remembers I like almond milk in my coffee. I gulp down some of the invigorating liquid, and as I play with the note between my fingers, a question springs to my mind.
How does he know I’m tense? He could have guessed, but it’s unlikely. Hmm. The presents always arrive when I’m not in the office. I narrow my eyes as I peek outside the door, watching the assistants in an entirely different light.
Sebastian has a little spy/helper.
***
“Are you putting everyone you know on this courting thing?” I ask Sebastian when we talk in the evening.
“What do you mean?”
“I know you have someone delivering your gifts in the office, and then I came home and the cleaning lady told me your mother dropped by today and left me some pudding.”
“Ah, yes.” He laughs into the phone. God, I like the sound. “She did mention you’re too skinny.”
“Skinny? Has she seen my butt?”
“Not as close as I have, but my mother has a good eye. If she deems you skinny, you’d better believe it.”
“I called her and thanked her for it. It’s delicious.”
“That’s my family. They like you.”
“So you didn’t put them up to this?”
“Trust me, you can’t put my family up to something they don’t want.”
“Do they pity me? Because I don’t know anyone outside of work here?”
“Ava, you’re the least pitiable person I know.”
“Oh yeah, I’m Ava, hear me roar.” I try to let out a growl, but I sound very silly. “I’ve been jogging after work. To relieve some of that tension you know so much about.”
“What? Alone?”
“Relax. The beach was full when I got there, so no one tried any funny business. Also, I wore a totally unflattering t-shirt.”