Chapter 18
+15 BONUS
As the year wound down and companies began their breaks, Selena prepared to head back to her hometown. Before she left, we had dinner together, and just as she was about to go, she stood on her toes to hug me, promising to bring a gift when she returned.
I grew up in an orphanage, so I stopped by to visit the head of the home before heading back and falling into my usual winter routine–cat, sleep, repeat. My one bit of exercise was moving my fingers to text Selena.
My mom made loads of pound cake. I bet you’d love it. I’ll bring some back for you.]
[They’re pressuring me to find someone… Honestly, I wanted to tell them I already have, but I was afraid they’d make me video call you and scare you off…]
[Seb, you’ve got to turn on the TV. They’re playing your favorite movie!]
Her messages were full of her warmth and energy. I could practically see her smiling as I read each one. And honestly, I couldn’t stop myself from grinning too.
Just then, another message from Selena came through.
[Seb, I kind of miss you…wish we could talk.]
Feeling a surge of happiness, I was about to send her a voice message when an incoming call interrupted me. The number was unfamiliar, but I had a feeling I knew who it was. Before Selena left, I decided it was time to make things clear, so I blocked Jessica’s number.
I answered, and the person on the other end said, “Seb… Could you come outside?”
Sure enough, it was Jessica.
“What?”
“I’m downstairs.”
Apparently, she hadn’t gone back to her hometown for the holidays and stayed right here in Ashenford.
I was speechless.
It took me a while before I said, “Jessica, coming to see me in person won’t change anything. We don’t need to talk, I already made things clear.”
A thought crossing my mind, I added, “Actually, if you feel like sharing what we had with Lena, go right ahead. I was planning to tell her myself after the holidays anyway. I know she’ll understand.”
“Give me another chance… I know now, Seb. You’re the one like,” Jessica pleaded
I let out a short laugh. “But I don’t feel that way about you anymore.”
With that, I ended the call. I didn’t see any reason to drag it out any longer.
However, Jessica didn’t leave. An hour later, she was still down there. This neighborhood had its share of drunks and wanderers at night, so I figured it was safer to go talk to her. Also, I felt like I needed to make things clear with her again.
When I arrived downstairs, she was standing under the faint light, her lips curved in a slight, almost mocking smile.
“You’ve moved on, haven’t you? Now, it’s all about Selena she said in a chilly tone.
I
Adi staggertad worn of exhaustion hát me, and I quietly rodied, Jessica, I have my own life now. One day, I‘
a teily a wife, myte kids I can’t keep living liked wrepped up in you
ider hands clenched into fists. “Talking about marrings dready! Welera’s so carefree, the might not feel the same
way you do it”
You’re the one who introduced us, You know the kind of person the is. And you know how I am about
Aston flashed across her face, the buddenly grabbed my hand and leaned into me as if she wanted to fall into
ettotion my arm. In the pest, just brushing her fingertips would have been enough to make me blush. But now, even with her pressing done and our fingers entwined, my heart was steady.
we
the stepped bark a little, then slowly lifted her head. Her hey breaths brushed against my face, and her fingers www tightly entwined with mine. It looked like the wanted to kiss me. When I realized this, all I felt was a sense of wagen and resistance, so I instinctively turned my head away,
Jessica froze in
