The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84 The Seatbelt Moment

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He returned his hands to the steering wheel, keeping his eyes on the road ahead as he remarked casually, “You forgot you seatbelt. Getting a ticket in Havenbrook will rack up points on your license real quick.”

Riley glanced down and saw the seatbelt already fastened across her lap. She hadn’t even noticed him buckling it.

So… he’d leaned over just to do that?

A flush of embarrassment warmed her cheeks.

Just then, Sebastian’s voice came from beside her, lightly curious. “Why’s your face so red?”

Riley stiffened. Without thinking, she touched her warm cheek. Her eyes darted toward the window as she scrambled for ar excuse. “Oh–it’s nothing. The heater in here must be cranked up too high. Feels kind of stuffy.”

Sebastian heard her. A faint, unreadable smile touched the corner of his mouth.

He turned his head, his gaze lingering on the pink tint of her ears, and drawled slowly, “Yeah? Is that it…” He let the last word ntentionally. “I was thinking maybe you assumed I had something else in mind when I leaned over.”

Riley forced a dry, awkward laugh, trying to sound firm. “Don’t be ridiculous! Of course I didn’t think that. I trust you. Serious jo.”

At that, Sebastian raised a brow. His eyes held a flicker of something caught between amusement and faint exasperation

She trusted him?

fet the way she’d tensed up earlier–like someone bracing for a threat–hadn’t exactly looked trusting

This woman always hid behind that practical, composed shell of hers. Little did she know her real thoughts were written all our ner face.

Still, he didn’t mind this side of her–the way she said one thing while everything else gave her away

Sebastian chuckled softly and didn’t press further. He started the engine again.

“What are you in the mood to eat?” he asked.

“Anything’s fine Your hoose “Riley just wanted to move past the awkward moment

In the end. Sebastian picked an exclusive, reservation only private kitchen tus ked away from the com

The car wound through a maze of narrow lanes before stopping in front of an cancer stated woode kaum wanay ta in eading the way. Riley would never have guessed sunha serene upscale spot existed in the middle of the buffety ily

The restaurant seated only a handful of guests each evening

They were escorted through a courtyard. then into an intim

Dinner unfolded in a relaxed, effortless atmosphere

dining room**

Sebastian seemed to knew exactly how to steer the conversation The didn’t bring up the catre moment in the chas, wild Hystead

5:34 pm

Chapter 84 The Seatbelt Moment

he shared some recent business updates and a few light stories about life in Havenbrook–keeping things engaging but comfortably impersonal.

After the meal concluded, they stepped out of the restaurant and returned to the car.

Night had deepened, and the glow of neon signs outside the window washed Riley’s face in shifting colors.

She settled into the passenger seat and gave him Lydia’s address.

But Sebastian didn’t key it into the GPS right away.

He turned to look at her. The dim interior lighting made his eyes seem deeper, more intense.

“When did I say I was taking you home now?”

His voice was low, carrying a quiet warmth that felt especially clear in the stillness of the car.

Riley’s heart gave another involuntary skip.

She met his gaze–dark and unreadable–and a rush of thoughts tumbled through her mind all at once.

He wasn’t taking her home?

Where were they going, then? What was he planning?

Riley had to admit her imagination was starting to run wild again.

She tried to keep her voice steady. “Then… what did you have in mind?”

Sebastian leaned slightly closer. The space between them shrank once more.

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