Page 30 of Forever His Favorite
Camila’s smile brightened. She reached forward, taking Emily’s hand warmly.
“Hello, Mrs. Graves,” Emily said softly, her voice hesitant.
But Camila’s answer was nothing like what she expected. She reached up, patting Emily’s head with surprising tenderness. “You can call me whatever you like, but I would prefer if you called me Mom. That would make me very happy.”
The stern aura Emily had feared moments ago crumbled completely in that instant. Her heart softened, almost melting.
“…Mom,” she whispered, her cheeks flushing as the word slipped past her lips.
Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She turned her gaze shyly toward Sebastian, only to find him already watching her with a look of quiet satisfaction. His lips curved slightly, warmth gleaming in his eyes. The look made her breath catch—such a small thing, yet it seemed to mean the world to him.
Camila squeezed Emily’s hand, her smile warm and reassuring. “Don’t be afraid, Emily. This is your first time in your new home, so it might feel overwhelming. But once you get to know everyone, you’ll get used to it.”
Her tone softened even more. “I have two more sons, but they’re away on business. You’ll meet them when they return to the country.”
Emily nodded quickly, smiling at Camila’s words. “Alright,” she said softly.
Camila’s eyes sparkled, patting her hand again. “Good. Now, let’s not stand out here—it’s windy tonight. Come inside.”
Without hesitation, she looped her arm through Emily’s, guiding her inside with surprising eagerness and unrestrained joy.
Emily allowed herself to be pulled along, her lips curving into a small smile. As they crossed the threshold, she glanced back, her eyes finding Sebastian.
He stood there, watching her with that rare, content smile of his.
***
After leaving the Graves mansion, the car raced down the quiet streets. Night had already fallen, and the chill of evening wrapped itself around the world, seeping even through the windows. The backseat was piled high with gifts Camila had insisted on giving them—boxes stacked on top of one another, ribbons glinting faintly under the streetlights. Even the passenger seat beside the driver was crowded with bags.
Emily rested her head against Sebastian’s shoulder, her breathing soft. His arm curled protectively around her, their fingers laced together, while his other hand scrolled through documents on the tablet resting on his lap.
After a long stretch of silence, his deep voice broke through, gentle and low. “Are you sleepy?” He leaned down slightly, glancing at her.
Emily shook her head, her lips brushing the fabric of his shirt. “No,” she mumbled, lifting her head just enough to meet his eyes. And then, without hesitation, she leaned closer and pressed her lips against his.
Surprise flickered across his face, then melted into warmth. His eyes lit up, crinkling at the corners as he smiled into the kiss.
“Should we stop the car right here, baby?” he murmured huskily against her mouth, his voice edged with both warning and desire.
Emily’s lips curled into a small, secretive smile. She dropped back against his shoulder, grinning.
A moment later, he bent his head and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head, lingering there before tilting his cheek against her hair.
Before long, the ride ended in front of Emily’s apartment building. They stepped out together, the cold night air rushing to meet them, and walked inside. Emily walked in first and began climbing the stairs, her steps light, but Sebastian hurried after her, catching her hand mid-way.
“Why wouldn’t you wait for me?” he asked, his voice threaded with playful reproach.
She glanced back at him with a smile, her fingers tightening around his as they climbed the stairs together.
But when they reached her floor, Emily’s steps faltered. She froze.
Her breath caught. The entire hallway leading to her door was covered in letters. Hundreds of letters, taped in rows, layers upon layers of papers clinging to the wood and plaster. They clung to the walls, even her apartment door—every inch plastered with open letters.
Emily’s heart sank as she neared her apartment door and reached for one, tugging it free. Her chest tightened when she saw the familiar handwriting.
Lucas.
The first letter read: “When you first saw me, you thought it was by accident. But I had seen you long before you saw me. I fell for you first… I fell for you before you even knew I existed."
