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When the first woman who’d spoken noticed Noelle approaching, her gaze turned cold. Frowning, she said, “I don’t recall there being attendants today. How did you get in? Who are you looking for?”
As Noelle held the gift, she awkwardly stood and said, “I’m here for Sebastian Cole.”
“For Sebastian?” The woman’s voice rose sharply. Moments ago, she hadn’t bothered to spare Noelle a single glance, but now, her eyes swept across Noelle from head to toe.
Noelle might’ve been pretty, but she had a modest, unremarkable air about her. She was most probably not the type Sebastian would take a fancy to.
When the woman finished sizing Noelle up, a mocking smile tugged at her lips. “Where did you get his address and details? You know, we could call the cops for something like this…”
But before the woman could finish speaking, Noelle felt a sudden warmth at the back of her hand, as if a
warm hand had gripped hers.
When she looked up, she was met with a perfect face straight out of a sculpture. Everything from his perfect facial features to his sharp jawline and sexy Adam’s apple carried a quiet, attractive pull.
As she glanced down at their hands, Noelle caught the faint contour of his carpal bones peeking out from
beneath the man’s folded shirt cuff.
“Call the cops? I think you’re mistaken, Ms. Sanchez.” Sebastian Cole narrowed his eyes slightly at the
woman.
Yvette Sanchez hadn’t noticed the way Sebastian was holding Noelle’s hands. For a moment, she was
pleased that he’d cleared time to entertain her when he was so caught up in the middle of his rounds.
She lightly placed her hand on his arm. “Why are you here, Sebastian? Have you finally settled those
businessmen?
“You were worried I’d be bored alone, weren’t you? I’m fine, really-”
Suddenly, she stopped mid–sentence.
It was only then that she noticed Sebastian’s other hand was firmly linked with the woman who’d been
seeking him out.
Her friend beside her noticed this too, and the both of them looked equally confused.
Noelle looked at the man who’d taken her hand and belatedly realized that he was Sebastian Cole.
His hand gripped hers with such intensity that veins bulged beneath her skin, and for a fleeting moment, Noelle was caught in a trance.
They’d met once as kids in the presence of both families. Even then, Sebastian had been a composed, watchful boy. His hair was always neatly combed, and he’d used to wear dark–rimmed glasses.
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Now, though he still carried that air of austerity and distance, there was an intriguing contrast to him she couldn’t quite put a finger on.
Yvette’s expression fell as she hesitantly asked, “Sebastian, do you know her?”
Sebastian’s brows lifted slightly, and to Noelle’s surprise, there was a trace of pride in his voice when he
said, “Oh, more than that.
“Since we’re already here, let me introduce you to my fiancée, Noelle Spencer.”
Hearing the way Sebastian uttered her name with such certainty sent a jolt through Noelle’s chest. She could almost feel her heart skipping a beat as the warmth of Sebastian’s palm spread across her skin.
“Fiancée? You’re joking, right?” Yvette was utterly stunned as her gaze toward Noelle sharpened with
disdain.
Her friend muttered under her breath, “What? Is this the infertile divorcee?”
Sebastian’s brows drew into a frown after hearing those words. The warmth in his eyes instantly vanished and was replaced by a cold, cutting edge as he fixed them on the speaker.
“I believe you’re not on the guest list today.”
Yvette darted a guilty glance at her friend, Sadie Locke. “I was just afraid I’d be bored alone, so I had Sadie keep me company.”
But Sebastian’s frown didn’t ease. If anything, his gaze turned even colder as it turned to Sadie.
Faltering under the weight of his stare, Sadie lacked the courage to even meet his eyes. All she could do was cast a helpless look at Yvette, silently begging for help.
Yvette was at a loss too. According to the Sebastian she knew, he might be polite and gentlemanly, but if he was crossed, all that courtesy would vanish.
Now, she knew better than to defend Sadie.
Sebastian dangerously narrowed his eyes and announced in a deep voice, “You weren’t invited, Ms. Locke.
Chapter 14
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Chapter 14