Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Things had been a wee bit off between Sebastian and me for the last few weeks, so I allowed it this once. Ever since I stumbled upon him flirting with that blond, it had hit home for me how much I was currently endangering my heart. Like, really hit home. I was in a foul, depressed mood for days after it, driving myself crazy with wondering if he’d taken her up on her invitation. It was then I knew I had to do something about this situation. Slowly, but surely, I needed to create a bit of distance between us.
Unfortunately, Sebastian didn’t make it easy. He was used to us texting constantly and seeing each other every other day. I made the excuse that exams were keeping me busy and I knew it confused him because up until that point, we’d studied together. I told him I needed some solo studying because I felt like my first exam hadn’t gone well. It was a lie, but a necessary one. He accepted it, but that didn’t stop him from checking in all the time, and it would be rude and hurtful to ignore him.
I missed him.
Which proved how necessary some distance was.
Harry grabbed us a large high-backed velvet booth we could all fit in. We shrugged out of our coats and scarves.
Zac suddenly whistled.
I looked up as I laid my coat over the back of the booth and to my shock found him gazing at me open-mouthed. My cheeks heated. Zac grinned goofily. “Sorry, Lil, but … you look hot.”
Sebastian scowled and smacked him lightly across the back of the head. “Watch it.”
“It’s fine.” Honestly, the compliment was bolstering. “Thanks, Zac.”
This time I felt Sebastian’s frown turn my way, but I ignored him and made sure I was sitting between Zac and Maddie in the booth. Sebastian was stuck on a chair opposite and I could feel him watching me.
Maddie and I always dressed up for our last night of term. My friend was in a tight-fitting, red-sequined, long-sleeve dress and platform Mary Janes. I’d taken a break from studying last weekend to go shopping with January and she’d convinced me to buy the velvet green minidress I currently wore.
“Your legs are amazing from biking it everywhere. You should show them off more often,” Jan had insisted.
The dress came to mid-thigh and the velvet was shot through with subtle glitter, so it sparkled under the lights. It wasn’t just my legs it flashed, though. It had a flattering sleeveless square neckline and spaghetti straps. Earlier, Maddie had taken one look at me and pretended to fan herself as she declared, “Your tits look phenomenal.”
I’d left my hair down and styled it into soft waves and paired the dress with green velvet low-heeled boots January had spotted in the same store. The dress made me feel good, and I think I needed to feel good about myself in a “single woman” kind of way.
Harry insisted on buying the first round, and Sebastian got up to help him order.
“Sorry if I was rude.” Zac leaned into me. “I should have said you look beautiful.”
I smiled at his sheepishness. “It’s fine. Thank you.”
“Are you glad exams are over?”
“Unbelievably glad. Are you heading home tomorrow?”
“I’m heading to LA. My mother is in the middle of shooting a movie at one of the studios.” He curled his lip in an uncharacteristic sneer. “I’m unlikely to see much of her at all, so I told her I could go home with Harry for Christmas, but she said it would look bad to the public.”
Oof. That’s horrible. I rested a hand on his forearm. “I’m sorry.”
He gave me a warm smile. “Don’t be. I have some friends out there. I’ll just party with them.”
Despite his words, I could see the melancholy he tried to mask. I wondered if Zac longed for a normal family Christmas Day.
“And I’ll be back in Edinburgh for New Year. You’re coming to our party, right?”
I frowned. “What party?”
“Bas didn’t ask you?” Zac scowled. “We always come back to the city for Hogmanay and host a party. The Royal Mile is usually heaving with the Hogmanay street party and we can watch it from the rooftop garden.”
A strange ache scored across my chest. Why hadn’t Sebastian invited me? I usually spent New Year with my family and extended family, but … it was nice to be invited.
“I’m inviting you.” Zac must have seen something on my face. “I want you there.”
A pity invite. Wonderful. “Thanks.”
“Lily, what’s the name of that Christmas movie with Kurt Russell?” Maddie asked from my other side. “I’m trying to convince Shaun to watch Christmas movies with me via video call once we’re apart for the holidays. He’ll like that one, right?”
Trying not to laugh at Shaun’s less than convinced expression, I replied, “The Christmas Chronicles.”