38. CHAPTER 38
SEBASTIAN
I t was such a beautiful July day, and I couldn’t wait to see Aria’s face when she realised where I was taking her. Every moment with her was precious. She was looking out of the window as I pulled up into the car park.
Confusion ran through her face. “Hall Place and Gardens?”
“You’ll see.” I smiled, then stepped out of the car, making my way around and helping Aria out. “You ready?” I asked.
She looked at me sceptically. “I don’t know if I should trust a man who can’t tell me what this place is.”
“I wouldn’t trust a man like that either,” I said.
She let out a small laugh. I took hold of her hand, kissing it, then led her through the entrance.
She looked up at the sign to the Butterfly Gardens and back to me with the biggest smile on her face. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked, excitement in her voice.
I couldn’t help but smile back at her. She soon opened the door, the heat hitting us as we walked deeper into the space, embraced by the sound of water steadily trickling from the fountain up ahead.
The butterflies were flying around freely, landing on everything and anyone that was there.
She let go of my hand and stood there, taking everything in for a few minutes.
She soon turned back to face me and wrapped her arms around my neck, kissing me quickly.
“This is beautiful. How did you know I loved butterflies?”
I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Sometimes I think you forget how long I’ve known you.” It may have only been two years we’d spent together, but I remembered everything about her. “What is it about butterflies, anyway?” I asked.
“They’re a symbol of hope, of new beginnings. This beautiful creature that’s not afraid to be free,” she explained, gesturing to one fluttering on a leaf. She pushed away from me and laughed. “Like that one on your head.”
We sat on a bench in the gardens, watching all the people go by, sipping on coffee.
It wouldn’t be long before summer ended and autumn started to kick in, turning the leaves brown.
I never thought I’d be seeing the end of summer with Aria, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
I was looking forward to everything we had to come together.
“This place is so beautiful. Why did you never take me here before?”
“I didn’t even know it existed; otherwise, I would have taken you as many times as you wanted.”
She smiled, taking a sip of her coffee. “Didn’t get the grey roses from here, then?”
“No, they’re special.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “They have to be imported.” I’d have them shipped regularly for her—anything to see that smile.
“I still can’t believe you remembered all these things after so many years.”
“Why? Did you forget everything about me?” I chuckled.
Her eyes met mine. “You’re hard to forget. All the times you were there for me when I needed you. I wasn’t there when you were growing up, but seeing what I saw in those two years … you still had so much love to give.”
My body tensed slightly at the thought of my childhood.
She must have felt it. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“It’s fine, Nyx.” I pulled her in, kissing her forehead.
An easy silence fell around us as I held her. There was a lot she didn’t know about my upbringing, a lot she’d never know.
“Do you remember when your dad arranged that family cruise from Jamaica, and you knew I didn’t want to be stuck on the boat, so you made sure we missed it?”
“His face was a picture when I waved him off.” I laughed, even though when we got back to England, he gave me a smack around the head and made me pay every penny back. As if that asshole needed any money from me.
“That was a really good holiday.”
I arched my brow at her. “You do remember all the guys I had to keep away from you? It wasn’t that great for me.” The laughter started to die down, leaving silence between us until she spoke.
“Why did you leave, Sebastian?”
My body tensed, emptiness in the pit of my stomach. I’d hoped she’d never ask.
“Because you deserved someone better.”