"It's true what they say. The higher you fly, the harder you fall. And the harder you fall, the stronger you rise."
Melanie Thompson flew high with her first love, she was higher than cloud nine. But the good news is nothing good lasts forever. Beca...
When I picked up the phone to call Sébastien, I wasn't thinking about seductive Seb.
I've come to the conclusion that there' two ways for me to think about him - the seductive French man that took me on a non-date date, and the professional French baker that came to London to take over his late father's bakery and offered me the job of my dreams.
And out of the two, when I dialled his number on my phone with sticky fingers covered in buttercream that I was making, I thought of him as the latter, considering him a pseudo-boss.
Not that it would be appropriate to call your boss and ask him to watch your eight-year old daughter on a Friday night, while you let your hair down and paint the town red for the first time in years. But it was certainly better to think of him as a boss than a love interest - or interested lover, for that matter -, since the second option would only make room for complications and awkward moments and whatnot.
At least that train of thought helped me make the decision to call him and that was enough for me.
He answered on the third ring.
"Melanie." I could hear some background noise while he said my name, and I immediately regretted my decision. "I wasn't expecting your call. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Seb." I said his name, short and neat, like a whiskey that needed no extras to be drunk in and appreciated in its whole. If I was doing this I had to be direct and cut to the chase. "Are you busy?"
"Just working on some more recipes to add to the menu once I re-open."
"Sounds fun!" I said, trying my very best to conceal the fact that I was nervous (so nervous!) to call him and to ask him for a favour.
Before dialling his number, I tricked myself into thinking this wouldn't be a big deal.
Why do my ideas always sound better in my head than in reality?
"Listen, I was calling you because-"
"Because you thought about my offer and you wanted to say oui."
"Non." I giggled as I spelled him a no in French. "I... just haven't made a decision yet."
"Oh, forgive me then." Somehow, probably by the way he said those words, I could tell that he was smiling as he held the phone against his ear.
"I was calling you because I need someone to babysit tonight, and I wanted to know if you were up for it."
Good job, Mel.
"Babysit?"
I closed my eyes in defeat instantly. The way he one worded me with that question led me to think straight away that he could not be any more disinterested in spending his Friday night babysitting. Which is only fair, because Sebástien had absolutely no obligation whatsoever to watch Lexi while I'm away.
"Yeah." I found myself saying, for the lack of a better response. "I know it's very last minute, but my brother and his wife got sick, the kids are sick as well, and tonight's Olivia's birthday dinner and..." I exhaled loudly. "You know what? Just forget I asked. I'll find some-"
"I'll be there in ten minutes." He said, before hanging up the phone and ending the call.
And just like he had promised, ten minutes later, he showed up at my house with a smile on his face, and carrying a box underneath each armpit, containing deserts.
* * *
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Can't you just tell that Seb is written by a woman? (pun intended!) 🙈
Who can't wait to see what's happening next?! I know I can't!
Don't forget to vote and leave a comment if you're enjoying this story or just like this chapter. Also, add this story to your reading list so you don't miss out on any updates!
Xoxo, Mars
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