Page 56 of The Long Game

I haven’t looked at my clock since I got back up to the office after lunch, but when I see Sebastian walk up to my office door, I check the time. A few minutes until five.

"Hi." I smile at the surprise.

"Hey. I didn’t want to pressure you about coming tonight but you look like you haven’t taken a breath since I saw you in the courtyard this afternoon. I thought you might not be checking the time."

"Hmmm, not checking the time…might this be something you're guilty of a time or two?"

"I might be familiar with debilitating, soul-crushing deadlines, yes."

I laugh and it earns me a bigger smile from Sebastian. God, his smile is beautiful.

"Debilitating…sometimes. Soul-crushing…not in the least. I love what I do," I say.

"I can see that."

"Is that sad?" A small self-deprecating laugh escapes me.

"Not in the least. It’s sexy as hell."

I blush at the way he looks at me when he says it.

A second later, my father walks up to my door. "Hey, Sebastian, nice to see you again."

"You too, sir."

"Lex, I’m going to head out on time today. Don’t stay too late. A break will help."

"I’m not staying late tonight, actually. Sebastian and I are going to a gallery opening. We’re heading out now." I look at Sebastian, and he nods back at me in confirmation.

My father stops and blinks a few times. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but he chooses not to share it with me. He looks back over at Sebastian.

"Okay, well you kids have fun. I’ll see you tomorrow."

"Okay dad, see you tomorrow."

As my dad walks out towards the exit of our high-rise office, I shut off my computer earlier than I have in…well, forever. I grab my purse and walk towards Sebastian, turning the lights off on my way through.

"Sonia said she’d meet us there after she finishes a few things she needs to do for management before she can leave for the night."

Oh that’s right, Sonia is coming. I had forgotten that I am the third wheel to this gallery opening. I’m honestly relieved.

Sure, Sonia is far too old for Sebastian. I haven’t seen or heard Sonia talk about dating in the years she’s worked here either. But this is starting to feel more like a casual outing to get to know each other more than an official date. And with the words Tucker left me with earlier today...

"You’re still my home, Lexi."

I don’t know what he meant by them but I know tomorrow night he is going to fill me in.

Sebastian pulls into an industrial park and as we begin weaving in and out around buildings, I remember how he said his client likes unusual places to hold his galleries. This isn’t a gallery you would just stumble upon. You have to know exactly where this is being held.

It’s well after five. The industrial park is sparse of cars as most people have already left for home. I wonder if it will end up only being me, Sebastian, and Sonia present to this gallery.

We come up to a building where several cars are parked already and others are arriving behind us. We park and Sonia pulls in immediately behind us. We walk over to where the paintings are all perched on tall easels, pointing to face the metal building. It seems odd, but this is what is gaining him his following. Who am I to judge?

"Timothy!"

Sebastian calls out to an older man, about my father’s age, dressed in what looks like a mechanic's overalls, complete with some small grease stains. He is of average height, slender, with deep chocolate hair, salt and pepper starting to show around the sides. It’s that sophisticated way some men start to show their greys that actually looks pretty damn hot.

I bet Sebastian will look good with some greys when he gets older. But why I am imagining that I’ll be around to see it is beyond me. It’s almost as if he can read my mind and his eyes find mine and he smiles. That warm, sexy-as-sin smile that makes me wish I was wearing flats in case my knees give out.

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