Page 150 of Please Save Me

“For the first few years, I’d be working, and then my mom and dad started going on vacations during the holidays, and I just didn’t want to burden anyone else.” His face softened in resignation. “Can you maybenotrepeat that, though?”

The more I learned about Sebastian Castillo, the more I understood why he was the way he was. He wasn’t a creep for the sake of being weird. Instead, he wassadandlonely. Between his job and his lack of good relationships, how could anyone expect him to actnormal?

I probably owed him an apology for ever thinking about him that way, but I knew if I said sorry, he’d make fun of me.

“Also, you lookhandsome, Cameron Cole,” he sheepishly admitted.

I tried to plan a proper way to tell him I’d prefer if hedidn’tuse my full name, but he took me by surprise. Slowly, Sebastian lifted my hand to his lips and brushed a kiss to my knuckles.

I tensed out of reflex alone.

“Was that bad? Did I overstep?” His piercing blue eyes searched mine.

This softer side of Sebastian was strange to me. Hell, I felt like most of our conversations ended up with him calling me fat or stupid.

“It’snicethat you’re opening up to me,” I assured him.

“I… this morning at Mason’s appointment, Iconsideredkissing you.” His gaze darted away from me as a flush crept up his neck. “On the lips, not like what I just did. You just looked really happy, and it felt like the right thing to do. But I didn’t want to make the situation awkward.”

I studied him for a moment, surprised by his vulnerability. Also, considering his past, I didn’t think he’d want to kiss me. Not this soon, anyway.

My heartbeat slowed as I swallowed hard. “You could’ve.”

His eyes snapped to mine as surprise flickered across his face. “Really–But we were in public? Are you messing with me?”

Honestly, I thoughthewas messing withme. “Seb, I ain’t afraid ofthe worldknowing I care about you.”

Sebastian blinked, his lips parting slightly before sealing again. Slowly, he seemed to process my words, and a tentative smile tugged at his lips. “I just–I assumed you would want to keep it a secret longer until we’re sure about this.” He gestured between us. “Is actually a thing.”

“Well, to me, this–” I mocked his gesture. “Isactually a thing. I’m just giving you time.”

“Oh… Well, can I kiss you now?” His request was soft.

And my answer was softer still. “I’d like that.”

Sebastian hesitated before stepping closer. He tipped his head in two separate directions as if trying to figure out which way would end in our firstactualkiss beingperfect. Once he decided which way to do this, he closed in, and my heart skipped a beat as I caught a whiff of his citrusy cologne. But, just as the heat from his lips radiated into mine, we were interrupted.

“Uncle Bash!” Jasper’s voice grew closer before Sebastian was jolted forward, causing him to fall into me rather than finish our kiss. “Look! We match!”

Sebastian caught himself on my shoulders and steadied us both before looking back to Jasper.

Jas beamed as he held up his little leg for emphasis, showing off the turkey-clad PJ pants.

“Look at that, I guess we do.” Sebastian chuckled.

“That’s because we’re best friends,” Jasper added.

Sebastian’s brows inched up. “... I’m your uncle.”

It was hard not to laugh at Sebastian’s bewilderment. I was sure he’d be a pro at handling toddlers’ offhanded comments by the time Rosie was three. But, for now?

“You can be both, silly,” Jasper said, tugging on Sebastian’s hand. “Come on, I want to sit.”

Jasper pointed to the couch, and Sebastian looked back at me, almost like he was asking permission. I nodded, and off they went, Jasper leading the way. Sophia soon joined us with a tray of drinks, placing them on the table before looking around.

“Where’s the other three?” she asked.

“Daddy and Masie had to get dressed. Juni said she didn’t trust them,” Jasper said before pointing to the drinks. “Can I have my juice, please?”

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