The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 304

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"Okay."

Seeing the visible relief on Riley's face, Sebastian knew he had guessed right. Her answer was always going to be a rejection.

In truth, when Riley was discharged from the hospital and he called to ask where she was staying, she had changed the subject and asked what he wanted. He knew her answer right then.

Rather than waiting for her to say the words and irreparably damaging their relationship, it was better for him to take a step back. At least this way, they could remain exactly as they were.

He had never expected to succeed on the first try anyway.

He just needed her to know how he felt. At the very least, she would stop seeing him purely as a platonic older brother.

The first step was always the hardest. Now that it was taken, he could take his time with the rest.

"How did your research go?" Sebastian asked, shifting the topic to ease the stiff atmosphere.

"It went really well."

"Is your current project wrapping up soon?"

Riley nodded. "Yeah, in about two months."

"What are your plans after that?"

Riley shared her career goals with him.

Sebastian watched as she talked passionately about her work, his heart stirring. His gaze naturally drifted to her moving lips, and the memory of that stolen kiss on the plane came rushing back.

Soft.

Sweet.

Intoxicating.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and his eyes darkened.

Sebastian lowered his gaze, concealing every trace of emotion.

While Riley was speaking, her phone rang. She pulled it out and saw it was Lucille calling. Instantly feeling guilty, she glanced across the table at Sebastian.