Page 104 of Please Save Me

“I already have,” he assured me before opening his laptop.

That was my sign to leave. He wanted to work, and God knew with everything going on, I needed him to work and work fast. It felt like he was the only one who could take down Dale… but if Dale was actually done with me, there was no harm in continuing the conversation.

“So, do you always eat like that?” I extended my finger toward his plate.

“What, like I don’t want to die early?” His eyes flickered to me for just a minute before returning to his screen.

I scratched the back of my neck, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious about my choice of conversation. Then I realized there wasn’t anything inherently wrong with my question. “Well, no. But, I don’t think I’ve actually seen you eat anything other than chicken, vegetables, and rice… and now eggs.”

“I eat sweet potatoes and other protein sources, too,” he assured me. “Can I ask why my diet is of any concern to you?”

His question caught me off guard. I didn’t take Sebastian for one to get so defensive over a simple question… but it also wasn’t any of my business.

“Just makin’ conversation.”

“I’m sure,” he chided. “If you must know, my diet is so I can maintain my appearance, which is clearly something you knownothingabout.”

His lip curled in disgust.

“Ya know… I’m kinda gettin’ bored of you callin’ me fat and ugly. You’re gonna need to get a new insult soon.” I softly elbowed him as I spoke.

Sebastian huffed as he slammed his laptop closed again, and I fought the urge to laugh at his irritation. “All I’m saying is my appearance hasn’t been the subject of your ridicule, so maybe you could stand to learn a thing or two from me.” His holier-than-thou tone seemed fake.

“Of course, I ain’t gonna pick on ya. You’re handsome.” I kept my tone plain as I grabbed his coffee, taking a long pull before giving it back.

He and I had now slept together twice, so my actions didn’t seem out of line. That was until his eyes widened like I offended him.

“Excuse me?” His tone pitched up at the end as pink crept up his neck.

That’s when I realized I didn’t offend him. I probably embarrassed the poor guy. “You’re ahandsomeguy.” I doubled down. “Why else would I sleep with you? Sure as hell wouldn’t be for yourpersonality.”

“I just… I’m not used to hearing that from anyone other than Mason.” Sebastian looked away from me as a tinge of sadness filled his words.

“…Really?”

I figured Seb heard that all the time. He nodded. “She was actually the first person to call me handsome, well, other than Sophia’s mom.”

My brow furrowed. “Really?”

He hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“When Mason moved to America the first time, English wasn’t really her strong suit,” Sebastian explained as he took his cup back, bringing it to his lips but not drinking. “After about a week of living here, she called me handsome, and it took me a while to realize she had been doing it because Sophia’s mom did it.”

A small smile sprouted on my lips as I thought about what it must have been like back then. I’d have killed to be a fly on the wall during that time.

“But, after about a week or so of greeting me withhandsome, she realized I had a real name,” he finished, finally sipping his coffee.

“That’s cute,” I said before I could think better of it. “Did she stop after that?”

The hint of a flush I noticed earlier became undeniable as Sebastian tensed. “No.”

“… Does she still call you that now?” If she did, I hadn’t heard it.

He nodded. “Mostly if she’s in a good mood or wants something.”

“Sex?”

“Sex,” he echoed. “But I can tell she means it, so hearing it from her just kind of does something for me.”

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