Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 460

Visibly moved, Sebastian pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. It won't happen again."

Emma managed a small smile. "Okay. I'm hungry."

"Then let's go home!" he said immediately. He turned and crouched in front of her, pulling her hands onto his shoulders and lifting her onto his back. He then broke into a run, carrying her out of the building and across the campus, drawing a chorus of whoops and cheers from the students still milling about.

For a long time after that, she didn't see Theodore at all. She would occasionally spot Anna shopping for groceries, but always alone.

One day at the wellness center, she overheard Marian and the other nurses muttering. "Why did The Cookie House stop sending over free samples? It's been weeks."

"They were giving them to us for free," another nurse chided. "You can't get mad when they stop. They have a business to run."

Marian sighed. "I guess you're right."

"That's not all," a third nurse added. "I tried to order a cake from them last week, and the owner said he wouldn't deliver here anymore."

"Really? What kind of business is that? Does he not want our money?"

"Who knows? We were regular customers, always buying bread and things there to support a fellow Cresthaven native. I guess now that he's successful, his customer service has gone downhill."

"Just use a delivery app."

As Emma listened to his heartbeat, it dawned on her that Sebastian was the first person who had ever said those words to her, who had ever told her, "I love you so, so much."

"I'm going to practice harder than ever," Sebastian vowed into her ear. "I'm going to give the performance of my life for your choreography!"

"Okay," Emma said, believing him. This was a man who loved her with his whole heart. Now that she had started this journey with him, she would do her best to protect it. True love was a rare thing, and she intended to cherish it.

True to his word, Sebastian's performance in the ballet was spectacular. He was a born leading man, and his powerful interpretation, combined with his insightful choreographic suggestions, made their second performance—held in the larger community theater—an even greater success than the first. The neighborhood turned out in full force to support them again, joking afterward that their palms were raw from clapping.

This time, Theodore and Anna were not in the audience.