Chapter 44

The moment I spotted him—Sebastian—leaning against that sleek black car like he belonged there, like this was still his life to barge into whenever he pleased—my stomach twisted into a cold, hard knot. What the hell was he doing here? He looked too perfect for this moment—tailored gray coat over a dark turtleneck, hair artfully tousled, like he’d just stepped out of a cologne ad. Even the way he stood had that air of practiced confidence. The same kind that used to make my heart skip and now only made my skin crawl. The second he saw me, he pushed off the car and walked straight toward me. No hesitation. No shame. “We need to talk.” I didn’t stop walking. “Not here.” He kept pace beside me. “Why not? Afraid of people seeing how quickly you’ve replaced me?” That stopped me. I turned sharply and stepped off the main sidewalk, away from the crowd of parents. “Stop this,” I hissed under my breath. “Jordan doesn’t need to see us making a scene. Neither does Lily.” Sebastian’s eyes darkened.