Chapter 2
Lily
I’m packing up my suitcase, still contemplating the turn of events yesterday.
I can’t believe Sebastian offered me to do my project on him.
Or part of me can believe it.
He looks at me like the silly little sister of his best friend, who’s always followed them around like a lost puppy.
He probably pitied me, considering the situation I was put in when the athlete pulled out on me at the last minute.
And we’re first and foremost, good friends.
We have been for as long as I can remember. Growing up, he and Luke were like a package deal, always up to no good.
The other small part of me—that really seems to be screaming at me whenever he’s near—is hoping that maybe he also feels something more than just friendship vibes between us.
When we were younger, it was just a silly crush, which Luke would tease me about constantly, and Sebastian would shrug it off.
As we’ve gotten older, though, it does feel different.
Still, I’m unsure if it’s my wishful thinking getting ahead of me, or actual changes between us.
There have been some instances when he’s definitely given me some looks that wouldn’t be classified as friendly. But he’s never done anything or made a move that would suggest he’d be interested in anything more than a friendship.
I’d almost convinced myself that I had to get over this silly crush.
Then, this opportunity presented itself—or rather, Sebastian offered it up—which sends my heart racing.
“All ready for Europe?” Jessica asks me, coming into my room.
Jessica is Luke’s girlfriend and my ultimate supporter in the whole “Get Sebastian’s attention” project.
So far, though, we’ve had little luck.
She’s also a good friend, always there for a phone call or girl time whenever I get to travel and visit them on the road for the Formula 1 circus.
Luke is the current leader of the F1 world championship, and if he continues at the same pace as he’s done so far this season, he will be crowned world champion very soon.
And maybe even more incredible, he’s met the love of his life in Jessica.
“Yeah, I can’t believe I will be traveling to Europe when I was supposed to be staying in Seattle.”
The plan was to stay in Seattle, where I’m attending college and where the tennis player was based, but now I will be jetting off to Europe.
“Yeah, the world works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it?” Jessica asks, a knowing smile on her lips.
I roll my eyes at her.
She may not have given up our little project just yet, even if I’ve tried to tell her numerous times that he doesn’t seem keen on making any moves.
“Jessica, you’ve seen for yourself, he’s not interested. I should probably just let this go. Save the last of my ego,” I chuckle.
It’s not like Sebastian has turned me down, but part of me is afraid that he would, if I ever dared to really be brave.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever, girl. He probably has some handsome teammates, though,” she says, sending me a wink.
He undoubtedly does.
Maybe I’ll get over this silly crush with a British hunk.
London certainly should have plenty of them.
～
“Please, just stay out of trouble.”
I roll my eyes at my brother.
He’s never going to stop saying that whenever we’re parting ways.
He and Jessica are dropping us off at the airport, and he uses every opportunity to remind me to stay out of trouble.
“As I always say, dear brother. I can’t make promises I won’t keep.”
He groans in front of me, pulling me in for another hug before ruffling my hair.
I guess I’ll always be his baby sister, and he’ll make sure to remind me as often as he can.
“At least you’ll have Sebastian to keep you in line.”
What he doesn’t know is that I would really prefer it if Sebastian would drag me out of that line, preferably with him.
I don’t want my brother to die of a heart attack, though, so I give him my most innocent smile before moving over to Jessica.
“Don’t do something I wouldn’t do,” she tells me, making me chuckle.
“I promise.”
Giving them a final hug, we say our goodbyes and go inside the departures hall.
Sebastian grabs a hold of my two suitcases.
“I can carry those myself,” I tell him, knowing they’re pretty heavy.
Packing for six weeks in Europe during the fall was difficult. Sebastian told me it can be anything from summer heat to full-on storms during September and October.
Therefore, I had to pack a little bit of everything, resulting in way too many coats and shoes, which weigh a lot.
“I got it,” he grumbles under his breath, rolling the luggage in front of him as we move inside the airport.
I hurry after him, his pace fast, as if we are in a rush, when in reality, we have plenty of time before our flight leaves.
“Have I done something to upset you? Or are you just extra moody today?” I ask him, feeling like I’m pushing his buttons.
Sebastian is usually quite cheerful, like me, but whenever we’re alone, he’s more broody, which makes me wonder.
Maybe I do annoy him, and he’s regretting ever offering to help me.
I’m not one to leave anything unsaid, though, so if I’ve done something that irritates him, I’d prefer for him to just tell me.
“I’m just not looking forward to a long flight,” he says, finally looking over at me and losing some of the tension as his eyes find mine.
He really is beautiful.
His hair is a golden-blonde mix, with light brown peeking through. Over the summer, he’s gotten a nice tan and let his hair grow, making him look a little more rugged around the edges.
I freaking love this look on him.
The young boy I grew up with has definitely grown into a man.
Now, he’s also sporting a backward hat, which really shouldn’t be allowed this early in the morning.
He probably doesn’t want to get recognised, being the superstar footballer that he is, but still.
My lady parts could do without the backward hat.
“Okay, then.”
We decide to get some food in our system and buy some snacks for the flight before we find our gate.
“Do you have my ticket?” I ask him, realising that Sebastian has arranged everything for this trip.
The flights, my accommodation, transport, everything. I’m just the passenger princess on this journey, which I’ll enjoy every second of.
He hands over my ticket, and when our fingers brush, it’s like I’ve been shocked by his touch.
I quickly pull my hand back, not wanting him to see the effect he has on me.
I really need to get a hold of this attraction to him if I’m not going to make a complete fool out of myself for these next six weeks.
When I scan the ticket, I see we’re flying business class. I’m not really surprised, seeing as Sebastian always does, but still. It’s nice to have a pleasant ticket when being stuck on a plane for almost ten hours.
“Pulled out the big bucks for me, Sebastian? I’m honoured,” I tease him, nudging his shoulder gently.
“Like hell I would fly anything other than business when the flight is ten hours. I wanted to get a private jet, but Luke talked me out of it.”
There goes my brother again, ruining everything. And what a hypocrite. He always flies private himself.
“My brother really is no fun,” I say, letting out a long breath and stretching out my legs on top of my suitcase.
Sebastian looks over at me, a wistful look on his face, before he recovers and mumbles something about me being nice to my brother.