Page 72 of My Secret Snowflake
Jazmine also had no information on Raphael’s departure—Amelia handled all that.
It’s mostly big siblings and little siblings in the conference room, which remains decorated as it was for the Secret Snowflake event. Sebastian enters and heads straight for the seat next to me.
Jazmine explains the available activities: wrapping books, making ornaments, or creating a popsicle stick “why I love you” gift for your parents. She then walks us through the crafting instructions. Most of the little siblings want to do craft projects, so Sebastian and I wrap books.
It feels good to do something relaxing and mindless like this after the intensity of the past twenty-four hours.
Sebastian wrapsSeoulmates, a friends-to-lovers YA book.
“I guess that’s your trope,” I say.
“Friends-to-lovers?” Sebastian asks.
I nod.
“I thought it was,” he says. “I really thought a strong friendship was the key to the perfect relationship.”
“And now you don’t?”
“No, you still need that.” His eyes darken as his glance seems to memorize my face. “But maybe I was downplaying the passion part.”
I swallow. Why does it feel like we’re back in the closet?
He tips his head towards the book I’m wrapping, which isOnce Upon a K-Prom. “Did you pick the one where she dates a K-pop rock star on purpose?”
“No. It was just in the pile I picked up.”
He raises his eyebrows and looks down. He can’t really think I’m still mourning Patrick.
“I definitely don’t recommend dating a rock star,” I say. “I can’t speak for a K-pop star. I think part of the reason my relationship with Patrick faltered is because I didn’t want my emotions shared in his songs, so then I didn’t feel like I could tell him everything I was thinking in case he then shared my inner thoughts with the world. Maybe not consciously, but subconsciously. And he could feel that. He complained that I didn’t share everything with him.”
“Do you think you’re ready to date again now?” Sebastian asks. “Or is something holding you back?”
“I’m not sure.” I bite my lip. “But I do know what’s holding me back—the fear of being betrayed again.”
He nods, his eyes warm pools of understanding and care.
“Maybe friends-to-lovers is the right trope for you too,” he says.
I tilt my head. It’s as if he knows my plan to thoroughly vet any prospects. I pick up more books from the pile. It’s two that I bought:CorduroyplusMy Outback Riderby Giulia Skye, while Sebastian wraps a cozy mystery calledMutts, Murder and Mayhem.
“I’m glad you can come to my parents’ holiday party this Saturday,” Sebastian says. “I hope you will save me a dance.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Lily and Tessa said they’ll be there too,” I say.
Nora passes by and hangs her homemade ornament on the tree. “I’m Muslim so I don’t celebrate Christmas, but it’s still fun to make ornaments. Jazmine said I could hang it on this tree.”
I glance at Jazmine. Isn’t Amelia going to freak out?
Jazmine grins at me. “It looks better now. It’s not so perfect. Now it’s got a touch of homemade love.”
Is Sebastian searching for a perfect love?
I shouldn’t care, but I do. Now that the hacking mystery is cleared up, I can’t help it.I like Sebastian. But am I ready to date him? If he is even interested. But we’re friends, right? So was he trying to suggest something? He has to feel this attraction.
A woozy feeling fills my stomach, like when you’re standing on a beach on firm sand, but then a wave washes over your feet, and suddenly the firm surface erodes out from under you. It’s either anxiety or anticipation.
Chapter nineteen
