Page 13 of Sebastian

“Okay, I know he’s your boss, but you’ve got to call him Sebastian when it’s just us.”

Natalie laughed. “It feels weird to address him by his first name.”

“Well, I’ve taken to calling him ‘Suits’ recently. Maybe that’s a good code name anyways so little ears don’t over hear.”

“Okay then. Why did you flush when I mentioned Suits earlier. Is there something going on between the two of you?”

“I honestly don’t know. My stupid body betrays my mind every time I’m near him. I mean, the guy is crazy good looking,” Natalie smiled and Emma rolled her eyes. “I’m not blind, Nat. It’s just, there’s all those reports about how much of a player he is. He’s basically the hottest bachelor in America right now, why the hell he’s even wasting time flirting with me, I’ll never understand. I mean, I’m a catch, don’t get me wrong,” she wiggled her hips back and forth and laughed right along with Natalie. “But I just don’t get what he’s even doing here in Bell Ridge.”

“I think you should give him a chance. He’s a small town guy who seems to just want to better the community he’s a part of. Maybe the tabloids aren’t getting the story right.”

“Maybe. I can’t see not giving him grief for his coffee order every morning though.”

Emma watched Natalie set her piping bag down, staring at Emma as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t quite figure out what.

“So, let me get this straight. You guys have witty banter. He openly flirts with you. You both have silly nicknames for each other…” Natalie’s eyes opened wide and her eyebrows raised to her hairline.

“Yes, but?—”

“Girl, you are so blind, my goodness! He is interested in you. Shit, Em, this is so exciting. Will you invite me and Addie to the wedding? I bet it’s going to be amazing.”

Emma threw a handful of flour at Nat and burst out laughing at the way it landed across her face and hair.

“Fair enough,” Natalie laughed, dusting off the flour as best she could. “Are you going to be at that charity auction on Friday?”

“Oh shit, yeah, I almost completely forgot that was this week. Why? Are you?”

“No, my husband is supposed to be back in town, finally. We are planning a little romantic night once we get Addie down. But I do know Mr. Montgomery will be there. I handled his invite response this afternoon. Maybe it would be a good chance for you two to talk and learn more about each other.”

“Ugh,” Emma sighed. “I don’t know. I’m supposed to be auctioned off that night.”

“What?” Natalie looked at her, horrified.

“Not like that! I got talked into offering up a date for the auction. So basically, whoever wins the bid gets a date night with me, and I have to bring along a batch of my lemon bars. I’m hoping my friends bail me out with sympathy bids. I just don’t have time for a date.”

“Wow.”

“Don’t look at me like that. My friends got me drunk at girls’ night since I was the only one that could drink and then they let their husbands talk me into it. I still haven’t forgiven them. The one good thing is Melissa has offered to open the shop for me on Saturday, so I get to sleep in. I can’t remember the last time I did that.”

* * *

The week flew by, and all too soon, Emma’s stomach was churning with anticipation of what the auction would bring that night.

“Are you ready for tonight?” Grace laughed as Emma walked to their table with their coffee orders in hand.

“Not at all. And I still don’t forgive you and Daisy for getting me drunk and talking me into doing this. If someone creepy bids on me, I‘m trusting you to come to my rescue,” she pointed at Grace.

“Hey, it’s for a fantastic cause,” Jackson said. “And I have a feeling you might bring in the biggest donation.”

“Yeah, well, since it’s for the children’s hospital, I guess I can suck it up. But I’ve already told Sam I expect him to put up a fight for me.”

“You and Sam on a date? I’d pay good money to see that,” he laughed.

“Yeah, I’m positive I’d scar that pretty cowboy.”

“Did you hear his little sister is back in town?” Jackson asked.

“No, he hasn’t mention anything to me. I don’t even think I’ve met her before.”

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