Page 9 of My Secret Snowflake
I grab a napkin, wet it, and dab at his sleeve. He smells of fresh air.
“You smell like you just came in from outside.” I look up at his face. I’m standing way too close.
He blinks. “I just met with Bob and then took a walk around the block to clear my head.”
“The meeting was that bad?” I ask. Bob is Dream’s General Counsel, so that doesn’t bode well.
He raises his eyebrows and looks off to the side then glances back. “Just a lot to think about. It seems like you’re also multi-tasking.” He gestures to my phone.
“Yes. Work’s been busy,” I say.
He unbuttons his cuff and reveals two spots of red on his wrists.
“You’re hurt,” I say. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Iris,” he says.
The way he says my name makes my heart melt a little.
“I can just roll it up. I’m sure it will come out in the wash,” he says. “And I have an extra shirt in my office.”
“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention,” I say. “You need to run your shirt under cold water immediately so the stain doesn’t set. Let me get some ice for the burn. Run both your wrist and your sleeve under the cold water.” I walk over to the ice maker and wrap some ice in paper towels as Sebastian runs his shirt sleeve and wrist under cold water.
“The stain has already come out,” he says. “Don’t worry about it.”
I put the ice cube in the towel on his wrist. “But just keep this here for a little bit. I’ll feel much better.”
His eyes are a very deep blue, and his voice holds a reassuring deep tone. He really is so attractive. And at the engagement party, he was funny, teasing Zeke warmly.
Still, the absolute last person I should be intrigued about is someone who has sworn to remain single.
Jazmine enters the canteen. “You two look cozy.” She winks at me.
I shoot her a look. The last thing I need is Sebastian thinking I’m hitting on him, especially when I know he’s off-limits. So embarrassing.
“I was typing on my phone while I walked. I bumped into him and spilled his coffee,” I say quickly.
Aaron enters the canteen at that moment. Jazmine grins at me and mouths,Perfect timing.
“It’s a party,” she says. “Have you met everyone here?”
Aaron adjusts his glasses and says, “No. I’m Aaron. I work in accounting.”
“I’m Sebastian, in Legal. I’ve seen you around when I’ve met with Ernest.”
“Iris in Cybersecurity.”
“Good to meet you all,” Aaron says.
I realize I’m still holding Sebastian’s wrist and pressing an ice cube to it, and cold water is now dripping all over his shirt sleeve and the counter.
“I think I’m good now,” Sebastian says.
I nod quickly, dropping his wrist. I throw the ice cubes into the sink and the wet towel into the garbage. His wrist looks better. The red spots aren’t going to blister. Sebastian rolls up his sleeves, revealing very attractive forearms. I’ve always liked that look on a man.Off-limits. Not for me. I’ve learned my lesson.
He secures the lid to his coffee cup and picks it up.
“Good to meet all of you,” Sebastian says. “I’m off.”
