Page 50 of Release Me

“I’ve always been your boss, Nadia.”

“Okay, but that’s not all you are. You’re also my friend, right?”

Sebastian’s jaw clenches, and he doesn’t take his eyes off the road. “Yes, Nadia, I’m also your friend.”

Relief slips down my spine. I feel silly for needing verbal confirmation of his friendship, but I’m grateful to have it because it makes me feel comfortable broaching the next subject with him.

“What’s with the weird energy between you and Preston?”

“There’s weird energy between me and Preston?”

“Sebastian!” I go to slap his shoulder with my hand, but he catches it, holding my fingers hostage between his. Our linked hands hover over the gear shift, and my heart makes a home at the base of my throat.

“The only thing between me and Preston is a revoked Ludus membership.”

“I was there that night he got removed from the club,” I tell him. “Security came out of nowhere and had him carried out.”

He uses his free hand to turn into the parking garage underneath Cerros. Once the car is in park, he turns to look at me. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

“It’s okay. It wasn’t traumatic or anything. I just always wondered what happened that led to his removal.”

Sebastian smirks, seeing straight through my subtle segue way. At first I think he’s going to give me an answer, but then I see him mentally shift gears. “Does it matter? I mean you don’t really want some guy you’re dating spending his nights chatting up other women do you?”

At the moment, when Sebastian’s fingers are warm and snugly wrapped around mine, I don’t care what Preston does or who he does it with.

“We’re not dating.”

Champagne eyes rove over my features. “But he wants to be, and you’re considering saying yes.”

“Isn’t discussing this some kind of breach of professional and personal boundaries?” I ask, like we’re not holding hands. Like those lines have ever existed for us. Our professional relationship was made with an offer of friendship and understanding attached to it, and while I never thought I’d actually call any man a friend, that is exactly how I think of Sebastian.

As a friend, and something more…

“You’re the one who brought him up.”

“To ask about his Ludus membership, not to discuss our relationship.”

His brow lifts. “Oh, so it’s a relationship now?”

“No, I just meant?—”

My fumbling explanation is brought to a halt by the ringing of Sebastian’s phone. He drops my hand to answer the incoming call from his mom using the flashing green button displayed on his dashboard.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, Sebby.” The smooth silk of her regal tone washes over me. Love is woven into every note, and I close my eyes, soaking it in even though it wasn’t meant for me. “We missed you today at brunch.”

When I open my eyes again, Sebastian is looking at me, concern etched into his features. I give him a reassuring smile that doesn’t feel like it reaches my eyes. He extends his hand, turning his palm up in a silent request for us to resume the comforting act of pressed palms.

“I know, Mom, I’m sorry I missed it too.”

And he does look genuinely sorry, which tells me everything I need to know about his family life. Children who come from dysfunctional homes can’t wait to get out of them, to escape their parents and their nonsense. Children who come from good, stable, loving homes, can’t get back to their safe space soon enough. Sebastian is lucky enough to fall into the latter group. I would have too, if my parents were still alive. The thought sends a sharp ache through my chest.

“That’s okay, baby,” Mrs. Adler is saying now. “Will you be able to make it to dinner tomorrow or will you still be helping your friend look for a place?”

Hearing his mom refer to me even in the vaguest terms sends shock trickling down my spine. I hadn’t realized Sebastian was talking to his family about me. He reads my surprise clear as day and squeezes my hand to get my attention and make sure I see his reassuring smile.

“No, we’re all done with the apartment hunt. She found the perfect place today.”

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