Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 441

By the time Emma finished her physical therapy, it was nearly noon, and Sebastian was there to help her out of the Wellness Center.

The fresh layer of snow made the slick ground even more treacherous for someone with her limited mobility. Today’s session had also been particularly intense, leaving her legs feeling weak and shaky. Even with Sebastian steadying her, she faltered as they reached the car. The moment he let go to open the door, her legs gave out and she slipped on a patch of ice.

Not far behind them, a car had been parked in the same spot all morning, its engine silent.

The man inside watched the scene unfold and slammed his fist on the steering wheel. “Can’t you even help a person walk properly!”

But no sooner had the curse left his lips than Sebastian reacted, catching Emma and pulling her into his arms. On instinct, she grabbed onto him, her hands clutching his coat.

They stood face-to-face in the freezing air, their breath misting and mingling between them. A healthy, rosy flush from her workout colored her cheeks. She tilted her head up just as a single snowflake drifted down, landing gently on the tip of her nose.

It tickled, and she moved to push him away so she could wipe it off, but suddenly his face was drawing closer. She felt the warm brush of his lips against her skin as the snowflake melted between them, the cool drop of water transferring to his lips.

“Emma, I’m sorry…” Sebastian whispered, holding her tighter and pressing her head against his chest. “I know this is forward, but I… I really, really like you.”

Her cheek was nestled against his soft, warm cashmere sweater, a comforting shield against the gently falling snow.

“If you’re angry, just tell me. You can even slap me,” he murmured, his voice a low, pleading hum right next to her ear.

Emma tugged at the collar of his sweater. “You silly boy. You should wear a proper coat and zip it up instead of letting the cold wind in. You’ll be aching in your old age if you’re not careful.”

It was something her grandmother always chided him and Larson for, disapproving of their fashionably open jackets.

Emma felt her cheeks warm under his stare. “Are you going to drive?” she said, giving him a pointed look. “If you can’t, I can just call my brother to come get us.”

“No, no, no, that’s fine! I’ll drive, I’m driving,” Sebastian stammered. He could only imagine the beating Larson would give him if he found out why he was too distracted to drive.

The car pulled smoothly away from the curb and headed down the street.

In the car behind them, the driver’s face was as black as thunder. If he’d been holding on to any shred of hope, it was utterly shattered now. He had just watched Sebastian kiss her. He had seen their laughter, their easy intimacy as they drove away together.

That hateful voice echoed in his head again. *See? I told you. Time to give up, isn’t it?*

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