Inbox • SEBASTIAN STAN

TWENTY

PIPPA STARED AT her reflection. It was a few hours before the party would start, and she felt anxious. She hadn't been able to sleep last night, thinking about how things could go wrong at the party and how she was going to be with Sebastian. She had managed to get some four hours of sleep under her belt, before deciding to get up and taking a shower.

Dakota sat on the end of her bed, scrolling through her phone. "Can we go now?"

"How do I look?" Pippa asked, hoping the answer was at least nice. Dakota sipped her smoothie and shrugged a single shoulder. Pippa shrugged on her purse and walked out of her small apartment, Dakota behind her. She locked the door and made her way to the elevator.

Fifteen minutes later, Dakota parked her car by the curb. Pippa got out, walking towards the shop. She unlocked the shop, putting her keys inside of her purse. Dakota trailed behind her, her smoothie now finished.

"Now what?" Dakota sat in one of the chairs.

"Now we double check everything," Pippa replied.

Dakota held back a groan. "I'm not saying I don't love working here, but I can't wait until I get something published and I don't need a day job anymore."

So basically, that's exactly what she was saying. Pippa dismissed her words as she meant her well, she couldn't wait to see what she sometimes wrote her at the coffee shop. And of course, she couldn't wait for Dakota to have her book signing's here. They double checked everything and got to work, decorating the shop with party decorations.

Forty minutes later, Aaron, Pippa's ex came in to help with the decorations. They worked together most days, as he was the one that helped her establish the shop. He had a business degree, while Pippa did not. It was hard at first, to be broken up since they'd been together for many years. But the shop being on the verge of closing and Seb's letters helped to distract her.

A small crowd started to gather half an hour before the party was going to start. Dakota had done a good job in promoting the party on social media and Pippa had told everyone she knew. Dakota glanced at the people outside and slightly waved. Pippa sat in one of the chairs, a cup of coffee in front of her.

She yawned. Aaron noticed and sat beside her. "Why don't you go take a nap?"

"No, I'm fine. I just need to manage for today," she smiled slightly, taking a sip of her coffee. But he was right, the thought of taking a nap sounded good. How was she suppose to greet her guests happily if she was tired?

"Wake me up five minutes before, okay?" Aaron stood up, extending his arm for Pippa to use as support. She took it and made her way to the break room where there was a couch.

"Okay." Both Dakota and Aaron called out.

*

PIPPA WOKE UP to something warm and clammy touching her cheek. She touched her cheek, her eyes still closed. She opened them a few seconds later, finding Lucas sitting on one of the chairs. Pippa looked up, seeing Lucas' youngest, Theo drooling all over her face. She groaned, grabbed the baby and quickly got up.

"You're suck a pig, Lucas," she handed him Theo and headed out the door.

"Aaron said to wake you up. And I tried shouting your name but that didn't work," Lucas laughed, kissing Theo's cheeks. Pippa made her way to her office that was across from the break room. She heard voices ahead and stopped.

She didn't want anyone to see her, not before she had a chance to see herself in the mirror and saw what mess she had to fix. She stopped, finding William standing by her office. He was talking to someone, although he was slightly out of view. Hoping he wasn't anyone important, but rather one of his friends, Pippa crossed the hallway.