Chapter 18

By the time he'd gone down for breakfast, Jane was already there. He considered requesting his breakfast be brought up to his room just to avoid speaking to her but he'd never been a coward and he wouldn't start now. She did look beautiful this morning. She was seated at the same table she'd sat in when he'd first spoken to her, the only difference was she didn't have that uncertain look in her eyes anymore.

After the morning he'd had, looking her in the eye should've caused him to blush. He should've been ashamed of himself. He should've, but he wasn't.

"Good morning," he said, taking the seat opposite her.

Her breakfast was almost finished with only a slice of bacon remaining.

"Good morning to you too," She was looking at him from above the rim of the cup of coffee she held close to her face. "You clean up nice."

"Ha, ha, ha."

Mrs. Rose immediately swung into action, placing a steaming plate of chicken soup and some bread in front of him.

"Thanks, Mrs. Rose. You're an angel."

The big woman laughed heartily, and he saw her cheeks tinge a light pink. "So I've been told. No work today?"

"Day off," He replied curtly, digging into the food in front of him. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now.

"What about you, sweetie?"

"Me too,"

He didn't say it out loud but he thanked whoever was in charge of organizing schedules in his mind. Seemed like they were constantly being put on the same schedule. At least, that Harry guy wouldn't be able to finish what he started yesterday. Not if he had something to say about it.

"You know what I think?" Mrs. Rose suddenly said. "I think you both would look good together. Are you two single, by any chance?"

His head snapped up to look at Jane. She was staring back at him. He didn't think the expression on her face was one of disgust, at least it didn't look like it. At the same time, it didn't look like she particularly liked the idea either.

What was he doing? He didn't like the idea. He didn't want a wife or even a partner. Mitch was doing nicely. His cousin was too much to deal with already. Besides, if he was going to get a wife, it definitely wouldn't be Jane. She was too stubborn and defiant that he was sure she'd run him mad before their first anniversary. If—and it was a really big if—he was to take a wife, it would be someone calmer, someone cool-headed, someone who wouldn't dedicate her life to driving him nuts. Someone boring, his mind said. He ignored the thought, focusing on the woman sitting opposite him. Though it would be nice to have that body in his bed for the rest of his life.

It was a shame, undoubtedly.

Down at the beach that day, she'd told him she didn't have a man in her life. Had that changed since last night?

"Leave the poor kids alone, Rose. You're such a meddler." Her husband, Mark, spoke up as he passed their table, with a tablecloth hanging from one shoulder. A small smile played at his lips as he went, and Sebastian could tell the man was used to his wife and her shenanigans.

Mrs. Rose waved him off with a dismissive flip of her hand, turning her head in his direction. "Oh, boo-hoo, they're young, alive, of age, and they obviously have the hots for each other," She turned back to them. "Or isn't that how you kids say it these days?"

"Mhmm," Jane nodded emphatically, her mouth pressed together tightly. Sebastian could tell she was trying not to laugh. "That's it."

He finished his food and pushed back from the table. "Mrs. Rose, this was delicious as always. Thank you. And I do have the hots for Jane, as you put it. What man wouldn't? Look at her, she's gorgeous."

He hadn't meant to say that. God, his brain was working hand in hand with his cock and mouth without his consent. A look at her reddened cheeks had him smiling though. She was gorgeous. There was a calmness to her fire that he couldn't seem to ignore, no matter how hard he tried.

"Oh shut up," She muttered avoiding his eyes. "Don't patronize me."

"That's your problem, Jane," Mrs. Rose exclaimed. "You seem to always downplay yourself when it comes to matters like this one. Give yourself some credit and a chance. Who knows what might happen?"

Sebastian was quiet. He watched Jane think, saw her wonder if Mrs. Rose was right. She was probably thinking of all the times she wouldn't take compliments without a little doubt. Her mouth formed a small circle and the red in her cheeks didn't look like it would be going down any time soon.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Rose." She finally said.

"No need to apologize, dear." The woman said. "Will you two be going to the beach today? There's a bonfire happening tonight. It's usually fun and it's a time for people to get to know themselves better. With all the tourists in town, I can't help but think it quite fortuitous."

"Really?" Jane piped up. Her eyes lit up the entire room. "I've never been. I would love to."

"I could take you," Sebastian said.

She rolled her eyes at him. "I know the way."

"Still, I insist."

"Say yes, dear." Mrs. Rose winked playfully at her, causing her to burst out laughing.

Jane raised her hands in the universal sign of surrender. "Alright, you can take me. What time is it starting, Mrs. Rose?"

"Six in the evening, I presume." She said, then raised the tone of her voice and angled her head in one direction. "I, myself would love to go to the bonfire this evening. Been a while since there was some romance around here."

"If you have something to say, Rose, I suggest you come right out and say it," Mark said from behind the counter, rolling his eyes.

"I'm just saying. It wouldn't be a bad thing if you took me out sometimes. The last you took me anywhere was when Ryan was here and that was ages ago."

Sebastian vaguely remembered Mrs. Rose talking about her son, Ryan, who was a doctor in India. A playful argument ensued and Mrs. Rose walked away from their table to properly yell at her husband. The sound of Jane's soft laughter drew his attention from the older woman and her husband to her lips. "They're cute."

"Six is a long way from here. What do you want to do in the meantime?" He asked her.

"I have no idea," She answered, leaning back. "But nothing that will involve me leaving the diner. I'm too tired to walk."

He was tempted to ask if Harry had made her walk too much yesterday. Whenever the thought of them together doing God knows what entered into his mind, he felt his blood boil. He'd never been big on jealousy and somehow that added to his anger.

"Alright. Let's talk then," he said. "What's your biggest motivation?"