Page 16 of The Coffee Shop

We have found ourselves in some interesting situations in the past, but this is definitely a first. Just as I begin to get worried, Leena comes stumbling around from the opposite side. She’s out of breath, but she doesn’t stop. She just runs right past where Sebastian and I are standing on the porch.

“How long do you think she can keep this up?” I say, staring after her as she disappears around the corner.

“I have no idea, but it’s fucking adorable,” Sebastian says, smiling. He drops down into one of the rocking chairs with the entire bottle of tequila then takes a swig. He smiles again, then sways the chair casually. In all the years I’ve known him, I don’t think I have ever seen this man smile as much as he has tonight.

Resigned, I sit in the chair next to him and he passes me the bottle.

—

“What’s the count?” Sebastian asks as Leena runs past again.

“Maybe twelve?” I say, staring at the empty water bottles strewn across the porch.Maybe I should have been drinking some of those,I think, because the world is looking more pleasant than usual.

“I can’t believe she hasn’t worn herself out yet,” Sebastian scoffs from the chair next to me, sounding a little impressed.

And then we hear it.

Both of us are to our feet and down the steps in a second. We find Leena behind the house, on all fours in the grass, puking her guts out.

I crouch beside her and hold back her long black hair.It’s soft,I smile as she heaves one last time then sits back to catch her breath.

“You doing okay, sweetheart?” Sebastian asks, handing her another water bottle. She takes it gratefully, taking a sip, then tips her chin up, her face illuminated by the moon.

God,she’s beautiful.

She doesn’t make any effort to move, so Sebastian pulls her up and into his arms. She says nothing, but she makes this adorable little groan as she wraps her arms around his neck and nuzzles her face into his chest. My heart aches a little at the sight of them as we make our way into the house.

“Am I sober yet?” Leena’s muffled voice asks into Sebastian’s shirt as he steps into the small bathroom.

“Not even close, darling. Now let’s get you cleaned up,” Sebastian smiles, gingerly setting her down to facehim.

I stare, because I’ve never seen him this…gentlewith anyone. I shake off the thought and step up close behind Leena.

“Is it alright if we help?” I whisper, running my hands down her arms.

“Mm-hmm,” she hums as I start lifting her shirt. She sways just a little and Sebastian’s large hands steady her. I am a bit unsteady myself, and I chuckle at that.

“You two are drunk too,” she giggles.

“Are not,” Sebastian states firmly, but he has a perpetual grin on his face that tells me otherwise.

Once we have her stripped down to nothing, I take a moment to let my gaze wander over her perfect figure. My eyes linger on the bandage. On that constant fucking reminder of how we almost lost her. My stomach sinks and I have to work to steady my breathing.

“Fuck,” I hear Sebastian mutter in satisfaction as he takes in the sight of her. “Oh, hold on there, sugar,” he says and I look down to see her fingers clumsily working at the top button of his pants. “I don’t think you’re ready for that,” he grits out.

“You don’t expect me to stand in that shower all by myself. I might slip,” she says in the sweetest, most innocent voice she can manage.

“She has a point,” I say.

My shirt’s already off.

The narrow bath and shower combo is going to be a bit crowded with all three of us, preventing us from getting intotoomuch trouble with her, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take the opportunity to save water. Save the planet and all that.

Leena would approve.

I watch Sebastian study the small space, clearly coming to that same realization. He grumbles, but removes his shirt in one swift motion baring his eight pack of abs for Leena to see. She runs her delicate fingers over every chiseled line of him, over every tattoo.

I am instantly hard.

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