Page 97 of Little Do You Know

“Anything for you, Lia,” Sebastian says, cupping my face. “I’d do anything for you.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Thalia

MY JAW HIT the floor when I saw exactly who was standing in the foyer of my parents’ house. I’d forgotten a crucial detail about Thanksgiving until I saw Vera and her mom being hugged by my mom.

Mom smiles at me as I descend the stairs into view.“Lia, why don’t you help Anna with her casserole dish.”

Vera’s face pales while her mom beams at me. “Thalia! I haven’t seen you in so long.” Nice. Vera never told her mom, just like I didn’t tell mine. What a mistake that was. Since Vera and her mom moved to town, they’ve always done Thanksgiving with us and the Walkers. Mom and Vera’s mom, Anna, hit it off immediately, paving the way for us to be best friends. They never considered that Vera and I would be interested in Bash.

I muster the best smile I can, because it’s not Anna’s fault Vera made the choices she did. I silently take the casserole to take it into the kitchen. Grandma is checking the turkey in the oven as Owen hovers over her shoulder. “Is Bash here?” he asks, looking past me when his eyes widen. “Oh shit.” I feel better knowing Owen forgot too.

“Not Bash.” I resist the urge to groan, setting the dish on the counter as Grandma hits Owen on the arm with a towel.

“Language,” she scolds, and he rubs his arm.

“Sorry, Grandma.”

I have to get out of here. I walk into the living room where Dad is watching the football game with Grandpa. Owen follows me back out here to take his seat on the couch.

“I’m going to Bash’s for a little bit.”

“Sure, don’t be gone too long, though,” Dad says, but I’m not sure he even realizes he’s talking to me because the next second, there’s a call blown, and they erupt into yelling at the referees. I picked my timing well.

I escape before Mom can tell me no, wrapping my arms tightly around my torso to trap the warmth my sweater provides. The door to Sebastian’s house is unlocked, but I still knock first before entering. I can hear noise coming from the kitchen. Is he trying to make something for dinner tonight?

“Hey, babe,” I call out, announcing my presence as I walk through the halls of the now-empty house. I can’t help the sadness that creeps in at the thought of Sebastian staying here alone now that Mimi’s in a home. I didn’t think about it the other night, but with it being Thanksgiving, I can’t forget he’s alone here.

Sebastian’s standing in a kitchen that looks like it’s been decorated with flour. He managed to get it all over his shirt as well. The sink has dirty dishes that weren’t there yesterday, and he looks helpless. “I tried to make a pie,” Bash explains, and I cover my mouth to keep from laughing.

“And how did that go?”

“Not very well.” He laughs, dragging a hand through his hair, streaking the dark with flour. Why is there so much flour out? “I’m not sure how good it will be compared to Mimi’s, but at least there’s a pie. Everything just got so out of hand quickly, and now I have so much cleaning to do, but I’m already late.”

I can’t help but laugh as I pull my sweater off, careful not to get any makeup on it so I can help him. His attention lands straight on my chest, and I roll my eyes. “Not happening. I don’t want to get my sweater dirty; cashmere is a pain in the ass to clean.”

“Well, if you’re going shirtless, so am I,” Sebastian says, winking at me. At the first sight of his abs, I feel my self-control wane. The smile on his stupid face tells me that Bash knows precisely what he’s doing.

I shrug as if it doesn’t bother me at all he’s shirtless. “Suit yourself.” I grab a bowl to fill it with warm water and soap, dumping all the measuring cups in it so they can soak first. “Why were you trying to make a pie? We have plenty of food at my house. I’ve been cooking all day with my mom and grandma. My parents don’t expect you to bring anything other than yourself.”

Sebastian smiles shyly at me. “It’s my first Thanksgiving as your boyfriend, so I wanted to impress them. Mimi always made a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving, and I thought it would be nice to continue the tradition.”

“Bash, my parents adore you. Maybe even more now that we’re together. I think it’s lovely of you, but please let me help you next time,” I reassure him, and he takes the opportunity to kiss me.My entire body hums happily, and I hope it never stops feeling like this between us.

I get caught in the moment before I step away, shaking my head. “Nope. You’re not distracting me. Your kitchen is a disaster, and we only have a little time before we have to go to my house.”

“But Thalia—” Sebastian complains, and I reach up to wipe some flour off his cheek.

“Sorry, not sorry.”

I wash the dishes while he dries them, and it feels like we’re playing house. If we stay together like he mentioned, is this what life will be like? It’s a nice thought.

“Oh, before I forget, I saw Mimi this morning and picked those up for you. I already put them in a vase,” Bash says, tipping his head to the bouquet of reds and pinks on the counter. I smile at seeing the purple bouquet from our date night and the new addition next to it.

“I love them. Thank you.”

“Beautiful flowers for my beautiful girl.” He winks at me before continuing to dry the dish in his hands.

---