Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Sebastian and Sean eyed each other like they were ready for a showdown. Fiona could practically feel the sparks flying between them. Sebastian finally looked away from Sean and focused on Fiona. “You said you’d go with me first.”

But Sean wasn’t giving up. He said softly, “Fiona.”

This was like some soap opera scene she never thought she’d live out-two guys duking it out over her. It didn’t make her feel special or happy. It just gave her a headache.

She glanced at Sean, then back at Sbastian, and said firmly to Sebastian, “I need a minute alone with Sean.”

Sebastian’s lips tightened, but he said, “I have someone bring the car around. Make it quick.”

Giving Sebastian a quick okay sign, Fiona walked over to Sean. “Look, I did promise Sebastian first. Why fuss about it? You don’t need to give me a ride. Isn’t it good to hit the sack early? Come on, cheer up. We’re tight, right? Once I get the cash and ditch this engagement, you can bounce over to Jerraloth and crash at my place. Pick any room you want.”

Sean’s frown didn’t ease up. “Didn’t you say you weren’t really close with him?”

“Well, we aren’t that close,” Fiona admitted, “but we’ve got a bit of a business relationship, so I can’t afford to tick him off. And honestly, Sebastian isn’t half bad. He might come off as chilly, but inside he’s got a warm heart. No need to treat him like the bad guy.”

“He comes off as chilly, but inside he’s got a warm heart?” Sean seemed dubious.

Fiona nodded seriously.

Sean calmed down a bit, choosing his words carefully “You’re the first I’ve heard paint him in a good light. Just you. Fiona, a businessman like him doesn’t do favors without a reason.”

“He doesn’t like Charlotto and Alexa, so he’s using my situation to get back at them. You’re reading too much into it, Sean. He’s seen all types of women. It’s just not likely he’s into me, and he’s, well… he wouldn’t try anything,” she said.

“How can you be so sure?” Sean didn’t understand.

The memory of the cramped tool room flashed in Fiona’s mind. In such tight quarters, with her attractive looks and her attempt to seduce him, any guy into her would have made a move, maybe even someone who wasn’t. But Sebastian didn’t. He seemed to have erected, though. Flushing, Fiona touched her ear. “Anyway, just trust me. I mean, I’ve had plenty of admirers over the years. Look who’s actually taken advantage of me. Don’t sweat (L”

“Why are you blushing?” Sean asked.

Fiona blushed even more. Just then, a car hom blared. The backseat window rolled down, and there was Sebastian, looking less than pleased.

He caught a glimpse of Sean’s finger near Fiona’s face and her flushed cheeks. “Get in the cart” he snapped.

Fiona let out a sigh of relief, thinking of Sebastian as her personal lucky star. “Be right there.” She then turned to Sean, waving goodbye. “Then I’ll she was interrupted as Sean reached out and started to peel off her jacket.

Fiona was surprised. “What are you doing?”

Sean pointed at the damp spot on her chest. “it’s all wet. It can’t be uncomfortable, and showing up like that isn’t good. It might make Mr. Quinn feel disrespected.”

With a light tap on Sean’s shoulder and a warmy smile that cut through the dim underground parking lot lighting, Fiona quipped, “Mr. Durham, you’re starting to sound like my uncle, I appreciate it. But if you catch a cold and mess up a billion-dollar project, it’s gonna be a huge bummer. How ’bout this?

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Chapter 25 You can wear mine. This coat’s oversized and black, so you can totally pull it off,” she said, draping her removed coat over Sean, Watching Sebastian, Sean accepted with a grin and adjusted the coat on Fiona. He leaned in close and whispered, “Next time you wanna stir things up, pick someone I can deal with, Nathan’s a sale bet. But Sebastian’s not someone I can mess with.”

Evan was shivering in the driver’s seat, his gaze fixed on the two helping each other with their coats. He was freezing, his hand pressing the car horn in a prolonged blare.

Fiona spun around to see Sebastian’s frosty expression. “Get in the carl” he barked.

Knowing that Sebastian’s patience had worn out, she hurriedly said, “Sean, chill. I’m all about staying on his good side. How could I possibly rub him the wrong way? I’m off. You head home soon, too.”

Fiona suddenly felt cold. She wrapped the coat tighter around herself as she walked to Sebastian’s car. Evan was quick to get out and hold the door open for her.

Once inside, Fiona could feel the car’s heater on, but she still felt the chill. Sean’s coat did nothing to ward off the cold. Her own, less expensive coat would have been way better.

Sebastian shot Sean a cold look as the latter stood by the car. “We’re heading out,” Sebastian said.

Sean bent down, peering through the half-rolled-down window at Fiona who was already seated in the car. He mimed a phone with his hand. “Hit me up when you make it home.”

The window rolled up, and the car started to move away. Sean stood in place, frowning as he watched the car disappear. He couldn’t help thinking that Sebastian had ulterior motives about Fiona, Despite that, Fiona placed her full trust in Sebastian and even defended him. Sean knew anything he’d say now would be pointless.

All these years, Fiona hadn’t let any of the guys who were after her take advantage of her. But none of those g Sebastian. None of them had managed to get her on their side so quickly.

guys were as crafty or as influential as Inside the car, Sebastian glanced at Fiona, who seemed to be trying to bury her face inside the coat. “You really like that coat, huh? Is it the coat itself, or the guy who owned it?”

Fiona looked up at Sebastian. “It’s freezing in here. Isn’t the heater on? Why’s it so cold?”

Evan hurried to respond, “The heater’s cranked all the way up. It’s super cold outside. You probably just haven’t warmed up yet.” “Sitting next to a human iceberg, no wonder we’re both freezing, Evan thought to himself.

Sebastian managed to hold back his annoyance, and the car’s interior slowly warmed up. “It isn’t cold now. Ditch the coat,” he instructed, eyeballing the out-of-place garment.

“I really can’t handle the cold. I’ll just loosen it up, okay?” Fiona negotiated, feeling awkward in her school uniform dress within the tight quarters of the I’m not a fan of black. Off with it,” Sebastian commanded tersely.

Fiona weighed her options briefly, keen on not irritating Sebastian. Reluctantly, she slipped off the coat. Sebastian flung it to the back row and turned his icy gaze back to Fiona, whose school uniform suddenly seemed more conspicuous. A flicker of something else crossed his ice-cold stare. “So, what were you and Sean talking about to get you all red-faced?

Fiona glanced at Sebastian and brushed her ear, her face heating up again. “Nah, it was nothing. Just shooting the breeze.”

That was when Evan sensed the atmosphere in the car plunge back into frostiness.