Page 143 of Bastian

Grinning, I tell him. “Let’s agree to disagree then.”

He laughs and that also makes my stomach flip and my heart beat faster.

He’s more than my best friend. Forever and then some, and I choose him over and over again. I sing along to the song in my head while in Sebastian’s embrace.

He moves us in place as the song plays on, and Ellaiza dances around the room while Benjamin and Shaw stuff their faces with baby-sized food.

Joy fills my heart.

“Hey, darling?” Sebastian kisses the side of my head.

“Yes?”

“Will you go on a date with me?” He asks, and I swear if I didn’t know him, I would think the pink staining his cheeks is because he is blushing.

“A date?” I ask with wide eyes.

Holding me tighter, he smirks. “I intend to get forever with you… right.”

Forever.

I find myself blushing as well when I look up at him. “I’d like that.”

Smiling wide, he nods and pulls me closer.

“Sebastian?”

“Yes?”

“Can we eat now?” As if on cue, my stomach makes a crass grumbling noise. Thank God for the music. No one heard.

I’ve been meaning to go to the buffet set up in the corner after I smelled the delicious scent of barbecue wings. Lately, my cravings are all over the place.

“Yeah…darling. We can eat.” Sebastian laughs.

I grin.

And that’s what we do the rest of the day.

We laugh, eat, and well… love.

Corny, I know.

But hey, that’s love.

ARIANNA

JE T'AIME

“If we go down then we do it together.” — A

The next evening, I find myself walking into what looks like a classic French bistro-style restaurant instead of the White House’s dining room.

The last time I was in a French-style restaurant with Sebastian was in Paris. The vibe there was fancier and more elegant, while this setup is more casual and relaxed with a cafe-style atmosphere.

This is so incredibly thoughtful of him.

Lately, I barely left the house and if I am honest tonight, I was in no mood of being around strange people in a crowded restaurant. This sweet date is all I need.

---