Iget a few hours of sleep after taking Lux back to her room from the garden. I asked her to stay with me, but she insisted on being with Stevie if she woke up with more questions—which I’m sure she did.
Sebastian and I spend the late afternoon in my office, working through the logistics of this weekend. Relying heavily on my team for most of the setup, we discuss every part to be played out.
“Lux is to be nowhere near the inside of the house until I give the okay,” I firmly remind him how vital her safety is. “Everything has to go exactly as planned. I will not risk her getting hurt.”
“Yes, River, we know, and I will reiterate once again with the guys.” Sebastian still isn’t completely comfortable with Lux’s involvement, but I sense he’s slowly coming around to her.
With her wanting to be more involved, I’m both proud and nervous. Proud about how brave she’s becoming, but nervous for the exact same reason. Her tenacity could become a risk.
“I’m just making sure.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrow. “You’re, like,intoher, aren’t you?”
“I want her safe.”
“It’s more than that, though. I mean,do you have likefeelingsfor her?”
Carrying a weight I’m not expecting, his words fall on me with deep realization of how my view of Lux is changing. I don’t want to think too much about it. But nothing could ever come of it even if I did.
“Just make sure to follow my lead.”
He senses my apprehension to discuss my feelings about her and simply nods.
“Are you going to let her pull the trigger by herself this time?” Sebastian asks, closing his laptop.
I glance over at the screen with the garden. She’s buried behind her computer, tucked into the corner of the bench. The same spot where we cuddled together a few hours ago.
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe talk to her about it beforehand,” Sebastian points out. “At least that way, we’ll have a plan.”
“She should decide in the moment.” My eyes flick back to her slight frame and delicate lips.
“I think it’s important we know, though.” He rests his chin in his palm with his elbow bent on the armrest of the chair, clearly frustrated with this wild card part of our planning. Not typical, Sebastian is pushing back against it.
“I’m not going to pressure her, Sebastian,” I spit out. “Lux has been through enough. Whatever she needs in the moment, we’ll do for her.”
He sighs with a subtle eye roll. “You’re the boss.”
“That’s right.” I notice the time on my watch and remember my martial arts training session this evening, Sensei Clark is tough and doesn’t like to be left waiting. I push off the desk and rise from the chair, sending the wheels back to hit the window behind me. “I’m late for a session with Sensei Clark.”
Sebastian scoops up his computer and slides it under his arm. “I saw him this morning. He kicked my ass.”
“It’s because you’re a little bitch.”
He whips his head around as I follow close behind him to the door. “It’s been a long time since we’ve met on the mat,” he challenges with a spark in his eyes. “Maybe it’s time for us to spar again, like when we were kids.”
I pull the door closed behind me. “You seem a little too excited about that.”
“Scared?” He shoves my shoulder.
“Of you?” I respond by pushing him into the wall. “I’d beat you like I always have.”
Sebastian’s eyes bounce around the long hallway.
“Who are you looking for?”
“No one.” He swings his arm around, pushing mine down in order to duck under it.
