I smile because that sounds just like Sebastian.
“I interned there for two years before I moved on to a junior position at Twitter. There’s where I met my business partner, Malakai. After working side by side for a few years, we developed an app together that we knew would change social media for years to come. After working sixteen-hour days, we’d meet up at my place and pore over consumer data and trends. I coded while he handled the other logistics.”
Mesmerized by his story, I push my plate aside and lean my elbows against the table giving him my undivided attention.
“Then five years ago, we launched Discover Travel. It was a rocky start, but we found our footing through the chaos. Navigating such a saturated digital market is hard as hell but I think we’ve managed pretty well.”
“I’ll say,” I say and Sebastian smiles.
He’s so fucking hot.
How come I never noticed in high school?
My head was so deep in books and my plans of the future that I failed to realize how gorgeous my classmate was.
“I’m really, really proud of you,” I share, extending my hand across the table to touch his.
Currents of electricity surge through me at the contact and I try not to yank my hand back in shock.
Never have I ever felt such a palpable connection with someone.
“Thanks,” he intones seriously. “That means a lot coming from you, Olivia.”
The timbre of his voice when he says my name makes me giddy, but I mask the reaction with a small smile of my own.
“I don’t know why, I’m sure you hear it every day!”
The ways he’s focusing on me is unnerving and I want to shift the attention back to him.
He doesn’t let me off the hook so easily.
“It means more coming from you.”
The gravity of his words settle on me and my chest constricts at the serious expression on his devastatingly handsome face.
“You know, it nearly crushed me when you turned down my offer to prom,” he says out of the blue.
Confused, I stare at him as my eyes widen. “What?”
“Senior prom. I wanted to go with you but you turned me down.”
A frown is on my face as he shares this tidbit.
“I did?”
I’m honestly having trouble recalling this. I’d never gone to prom. Though I’d had every intention to before my father crushed me with his stinging betrayal.
I specifically remember learning that I wouldn’t be going to college in the middle of prom season.
“Yep,” he says easily. “I finally got up the courage to ask you one Friday during art class and you said no. Something about it not being a good time for you. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that you couldn’t just tell me to my face that you didn’t want to go with me.”
Memories come flooding back and I remember that day in the art room as if it was yesterday.
“Oh, my God.” I clasp a hand over my mouth.
“Coming back to you now?” he asks with a teasing smile.
“You have to believe me, Sebastian. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go. I just couldn’t. I’d just found out that I wasn’t going to college because my dad had lost my entire college fund due to his gambling habit.”
This makes him sit up straighter.
I shake my head and continue. “I would have gone with you in a heartbeat, but the timing was shitty. I was even on the prom committee, but quit once I found out about my dad. I just didn’t want to do anything anymore. I was crushed.”
“Olivia, I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
It’s his turn to reach out and place a comforting hand over mine.
I relish in the warmth of his touch.
“You have no reason to apologize. How could you know that my father was a selfish bastard?”
He looks contrite before shaking his head. “Still…”
I shrug, wanting to lighten the mood. “It’s in the past. Let’s leave it there.”
This has been my motto for a while. It got me through community college, the breakup with Jordan and I have no doubt that it will continue to serve its purpose.
Sebastian lets out a loud breath, before leaning in to me.
“Okay. Enough of the serious shit, what are you planning to do with the money?”
The somber mood is lifted and I smile, grateful for the reprieve.
“Well,” I start, taking a sip of my Diet Coke. “I’m finally going to nursing school. I started my application as soon as I got the phone call telling me that I won the competition.”
Sebastian is smiling at me. Butterflies dance in my stomach at the beautiful sight.
“That’s great, Olivia!” his voice is booming and full of pride.
I can’t explain just how that makes me feel but warm fuzzies blanket me, relieving the weariness I’ve become accustomed to feeling.