Chapter 18
Lily
I drift in and out of sleep, thinking I’m a little bit better, but then the fever will rise again, leaving me exhausted and ready for a nap once again.
When I wake up, the clock on the nightstand says it’s almost midnight.
I look around, taking in the room, and only realise where I am.
I’ve never been in Sebastian’s bedroom, but this must be it.
It’s big and modern, but with hints of him all over.
To my right, it appears to be an entrance to a walk-in closet. He can’t have that in his guest bedroom, can he?
Maybe he does.
As I noted when I got here, he is rich as fuck, which means he could have walk-in closets in every room.
But there are some other items in this room that confirm my suspicion.
His workout bag lies in the chair in the corner of the room. On the nightstand sits a book and a picture frame with none other than my brother and Sebastian.
It’s a beautiful picture; they’re smiling toward the camera with go-kart racing suits around their waist.
I remember this story.
Sebastian will never let Luke live down the fact that he, a Formula 1 driver, lost to him.
Those boys have been through a lot together, and I realise I may have been too hard on Sebastian over these last few days.
Wanting him to take that step, but not seeing it from his perspective.
I can tell he’s struggling, wanting to do the right thing; it’s one of the many qualities I adore about him. It’s just frustrating when that prohibits him from starting anything with me.
I’m burning up again, and decide that a shower is needed.
Having a fever means taking clothes on and off all the time. I grab one of the t-shirts resting on top of the drawers.
It covers me past my butt, and smells like Sebastian.
When I make my way out to the living room, I’m not expecting to run into anyone.
I yelp when I spot Sebastian, shirtless, whilst he’s watching TV.
“Why are you up this late? Don’t you have practice tomorrow?”
He looks up at me, takes in my attire, and a small smile appear on his lips.
“Nice outfit,” he murmurs.
It may be my fever playing games with me, but the playful, flirty Sebastian seems to be making an appearance.
After the last few days of strain and tension between us, it feels good.
I sit down on the couch, suddenly feeling very exposed with just the t-shirt, but it’s not like he’s wearing much either.
Just a pair of sweatpants.
“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” I ask him again. As far as I know, he’s no night owl, usually going to bed early.
“Couldn’t sleep. How are you feeling?”
“A little better. I figured I could use a shower,” I say, regretting it right away.
I don’t want this moment to end.
It feels good just to be together, to talk again.
I’ve missed this—missed him.
“You go ahead and do that. I’ll cook up some noodles. Sound okay?”
I nod, my head spinning on this whole day.
He’s been wonderful.
Buying me snacks for the next year, by the looks of it.
Letting me sleep in his bed, leaving him in a guest room in his own home.
Calling the doctor to check up on me.
And now, he’s going to cook for me.
Noodles may not be the hardest dish, but still. The gesture means a lot.
I get up and head for the shower.
Feeling the water run down my body is fantastic. When I spot my own shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash in the shower, my heart skips a beat.
Did he bring that as well?
He really thought about everything.
If I had a hard time resisting this man before, it won’t get any easier if he keeps up these acts.
I finish the shower, grab a new t-shirt—courtesy of Sebastian—of course, and make my way back to the kitchen.
He’s just putting out two bowls and an ice-cold Coke for me when I sit down.
“Is this a wild guess, or did you happen to know I prefer regular Coke when I’m sick?”
Usually, I’m a Coke Zero girl, but when I’m sick, I prefer the sugar.
“I called Luke earlier. He told me,” he says as he takes the seat across from me.
Usually, the mention of my brother drives that wall right up.
Now, it just highlights another thoughtful action by Sebastian.
When Sebastian opens his own can of Coke—without sugar—but still, I gape at him.
“Sebastian James. What is happening? Are you planning on drinking a can of soda? I think you must be running a fever as well,” I tease him.
He rolls his eyes, giving me a smirk.
“Some girl told me to live a little more, so I decided I should listen to her.”
Christ.
I really shouldn’t get all hot and bothered by such a small comment.
“Sounds like a fun girl,” I whisper, feeling terrified that the playful man in front of me will retreat just as quickly as he came.
“Yeah, she is.”
～
“I have to go now, Lily, but Harriet is home.”
I might be dreaming.
It certainly feels like it.
Especially when I feel lips pressed to my forehead.
My body is heavy, and I snuggle more into the bed, soaking up the wonderful dream.
A while later, I wake up again. This time for real.
I turn towards the nightstand, going to grab my phone when I spot a small note.
- I had to go to the stadium. I will be back later. Harriet is home.
S
Besides the note, a variety of drinks await, and I go for the peach iced tea. I may have teased him about his shopping spree, but it turned out quite well for me.
I get up and walk out to the kitchen, where Harriet is cooking up another lovely meal.
“How are you feeling, dear?” she asks, and when she heads straight to the kettle to boil some water, I realise how domestic my life has become here in London.
And how much I love it.
Harriet knows I like to enjoy a cup of tea with honey, usually after dinner with her.
Just like I know Sebastian will have the occasional cup of tea, but he favours a coffee cup.
Part of me feels sad that this adventure will end in just a few weeks.
“I’m feeling better. Thank you for taking care of me.”
The sun is streaming in through the windows. One of the first days of sunshine, and I’m sick as a dog.
I must have done something to have this bad karma.
“Oh, dear. I haven’t done much. Sebastian, on the other hand… I’ve never seen him like this.”
I sigh.
“Yeah, he’s been wonderful.”
Him being the perfect caretaker isn’t surprising. He’s always thinking about others before himself and making sure the people around him are taken care of.
Harriet gives me a wistful smile, and we enjoy the meal she’s prepared.
Later, Luke calls me while I’m sitting on the floor in front of the TV, trying to make some notes for the next interview with Sebastian.
We’ve had several already, and I think I already have more than enough for my paper, but I do want to cover all the themes.
The current state I’m in isn’t producing the most useful schoolwork, so the break is appreciated.
“Hi, Luke.”
“Hey, sissy. How are you feeling?”
I gather my stuff, putting it in the bag I picked up from my apartment earlier.
“I’m getting there. Should be back to top-tier health soon enough,” I tell him.
I feel better than yesterday, but I still have a way to go.
“That’s good. Sebastian, treating you all, right?”
Hell.
Right now, I’m glad this is a regular phone call and not a video call; then, I would have even bigger problems trying to hide my expression on the mention of his name.
I don’t want to lie to him, and a part of me really wants to have a real shot with Sebastian.
That means my brother will have to be eased into this.
“Yeah, he’s been like my own little caretaker,” I say, feeling my heart pound in my chest.
I haven’t even said anything that will cause any suspicion on his part about my feelings for his best friend, but I still feel like my heart can gallop straight out of my chest at any moment.
“That’s good. I’m sure he’s happy to do so for you,” he says, making me curious.
“What do you mean by that?”
Luke chuckles on the other end.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
I want to dig so bad. My curiosity is killing me, but I don’t want to be too obvious either.
What is my brother getting at?
Why is he being so cryptic all of a sudden?
Has Sebastian said anything?
I doubt it.
It’s not like him to call Luke about me being sick and fainting and then drop the bomb on him that we almost kissed, but not to worry, since we haven’t really been speaking after.
“I have a meeting, but feel better, Lily. I’ll see you next weekend,” he says, and we say our goodbyes.
Next weekend is Las Vegas, and I still don’t know if Sebastian will be there.
I know it would mean a lot to Luke to have his best friend there.
Just as I’m heading out, Sebastian comes home.
“You leaving?” he asks, and there’s no mistaking the disappointment in his voice.
“I thought I would get out of your hair. You’ve already done so much,” I tell him.
I can’t help but feel like a burden to him, especially when I’ve been sick.
“Nonsense. Please stay, Lily. Dinner will be ready soon, and Harriet will be offended if you don’t eat with us.”
I’d love nothing more.
“Okay, I’ll stay. Can’t offend Harriet,” I say, even though I get the feeling that we both just want to spend more time together.