8. CHAPTER 8
ARIA
M y eyes flickered open and closed, attempting to adjust to the bright light shining through my window. The sun was warm, kissing my skin with its radiant glow.
Why did my head hurt so much?
I buried it back in my pillow, not wanting to get up, but my phone had other ideas as it buzzed with a message. I shifted my body and reached over, grabbing it off my bedside table.
Serfina: Girl, get ready.
Serfina: I’ll be at your place in half an hour.
I glanced at the time. 10:30 a.m. It felt too early for this. I was glad it was Saturday and I didn’t have to worry about work, because there was no way I would be able to function after last night. Why couldn’t I remember anything? My phone buzzed again.
Serfina: You’d better be awake.
I smiled.
Aria: I am. Why do I need to get ready?
Serfina: There’s only one place to go after a big night out.
I smiled, knowing exactly what she meant. I could practically smell the bacon.
I reluctantly pulled the blanket off myself. I was in my underwear; I didn’t know how I’d managed to get undressed.
It was the beginning of May, and the weather was warm, preparing itself for summer. As we sat in the café, Serfina’s long, chestnut brown curls bounced about as she looked over the menu. Her eyes were a striking combination of auburn and brown, like autumn leaves. She always was stunning.
It was your typical London café: cosy, friendly, and welcoming, a few people scattered around, eating and chatting.
“I don’t know why I look over the menu. I get the same thing every time,” Serfina said, placing it back down. “How are you feeling after last night?” she asked carefully.
I rubbed my fingers over my forehead. “Do not let me drink that much next time.”
She raised her brow. “I don’t think that was all alcohol.”
I tilted my head, my brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“Some asshole spiked your drink. Sebastian took you home,” she explained.
I leaned back in the chair, trying to recall last night, but it was blank. Knots tied in my stomach, a sick feeling started bubbling, and my hand rested on my mouth.
“I don’t remember any of that.”
“All that matters is that you’re safe. Sebastian took care of it all,” she reassured me.
What did she mean, Sebastian took care of it all? I sat there for a few minutes, trying to recall any detail, however small. I didn’t want her to think I was interrogating her by asking her a hundred questions. She must have noticed I was preoccupied.
“Aria.” She placed her hand on my arm. “Try not to worry about it. Nothing bad happened to you. Sebastian made sure of it.”
Before I could say anything, the server came over.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Yes, I’ll have number four, and Aria …” Serfina looked at me.
“Oh, the same, please.”
“And two cappuccinos. This one needs some caffeine.”
A few minutes later, the server returned with our coffees, and while we waited for the food, Serfina and I chatted about everything and anything, laughing along the way.
It was nice to have someone to talk to. She had a genuine warmth about her, and we instantly clicked again, like we hadn’t spent four years as strangers.
I knew we’d be friends for the long run—those older women who sat there giggling with each other.
The minutes passed quickly, and before I knew it, the server was back with our breakfasts.
I added mayonnaise to the plate, because why would you eat it with anything else?
It smelt so good. The fried slice looked amazing and crispy, just how I liked it.
I was about to take the best bite of my life when it was snatched out of my hand.
Sebastian sat down next to me, and I heard a crunch.
“Good choice,” he said with his mouth full.
I frowned at him.
“Did you not grow up at all in four years?” I snatched it back, taking my own bite.
“Clearly not.” He chuckled.
“He doesn’t know how to grow up,” Hayden said, appearing from behind.
He hit Sebastian on the back, then sat next to Serfina, who put her cheek out for him to plant a kiss on.
They were cute together. They had this couple-goals vibe going on, and you knew it would last just by looking at them.
Hayden was a good man—a man who respected his woman and protected her, something I never felt in my last relationship.
My eyes flickered down to my wrist, and I pulled my sleeve down.
Sebastian must have been watching me, because he leaned closer, his hair falling over his face. “Everything ok?”
It wasn’t its usual combed-back style today; it was more natural. Messier. It suited him. It somehow managed to make him look more handsome, something I never thought possible. I met his eyes.
“I was until you ate my breakfast.”
“Well, in that case …” Sebastian grabbed it from my hand again, taking another bite before holding it above his head.
“Give it back.” I giggled, trying to reach it.
Serfina cleared her throat. “Have you lovebirds finished?”
My cheeks went bright red. Lovebirds we were not, but it felt like the connection we’d once had had never broken.
Sebastian nudged me, giving me back the remainder of my fried slice.
“Wait until I get my revenge,” I teased.
He rested his hand on my thigh, and heat spread between us as if his touch had been forged in the depths of hell. My eyes flickered up. Hayden and Serfina were in deep conversation.
His citrus scent hit me instantly as he leaned into my ear. “Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep,” he whispered, voice smooth.
I met his eyes. “Oh, I intend to keep this one.”
His eyes darkened.
I could feel my cheeks starting to burn again as I swallowed hard to try and wet my throat, which had dried. He traced his fingers up my thigh, which sent every nerve in my body into meltdown. It was like he’d thrown petrol onto a flame and was watching it burn.
I’d always felt butterflies for him when I knew I shouldn’t, and somehow, those feelings had never left.
“Sebastian, do you want an espresso?” Hayden asked him.
He rubbed his fingers over his chin. “I think I’ll have something sweet this time.”
Then he winked at me and carried on talking to Hayden.