Chapter 303
But then she pictured Jennifer: two years of grinding—and the designers busting their butts daily. She clenched her jaw. Even without Skyriver, the smaller jobs could still keep everyone going. She ran the math in her head, pulling herself together.
“Why don’t you swing by Shallow Bay Area tomorrow?” Stephanie said, her voice easing into something steadier.
Jennifer’s tone jumped on the other end. “Sh—Shallow Bay Area?” People in Long Bay had been talking about that place forever, saying how fascinating it was. Jennifer never got a chance to see it for herself.
Stephanie gave a quick hum. “Yeah. Grab some of the company’s business files and bring them along.”
No way she was stepping out tomorrow—not with the snow piling up outside, and Luca lurking somewhere. Luca had just ditched Sofia’s crew, and no one knew what wild move she’d try next. Stephanie wasn’t risking it. She’d hole up in Shallow Bay Area and wait it out.
After wrapping up with Jennifer, she wandered back to the dining room just as Sebastian’s low, calm order hit Elliot. “Find her tonight.”
“On it,” Elliot said with a nod, heading for the door. She was somewhere in Long Harbor—nailing her down wouldn’t be tough. Macro bolted after him, shaking snow off his jacket. “Hold up—I’m in!” He’d missed riding with Elliot that morning, and it’d left him twitchy all day, gut churning. The last thing he needed was Elliot finding Luca and actually laying into her. His mom still held out hope her girl could get that “porcelain glow” back—no chance he’d let her face take a beating now. He muttered under his breath as he hustled out.
Sebastian’s gaze landed on Stephanie, the sharp edge in his eyes melting away. “Come here,” he said, voice warm as he kicked back in his chair. She shuffled over, toes tapping softly on the floor. The second she was close, he pulled her onto his lap in one smooth move, wrapping her up tight.
Stephanie wiggled, caught off guard. “Hey—what’s this? They are watching us!” Sure, Macro and Elliot were out, but their staff were still around. He laughed, low and easy. “Thought you agreed—no need to hide, right?” Her cheeks went pink, and she dropped her eyes, dodging his look.
Sebastian pinched her cheek lightly. “Still sore there?” Stephanie froze. Her eyes popped wide, a flustered spark flashing through them. Her already warm face turned tight red at that. Her brain fizzed out, heart pirouetting.
“It’s barely been any time you’re not seriously…” she stumbled over her words, glaring at him. He slid his arms around her waist, resting his head on her shoulder. “How am I doing it now?” she mumbled, words cut short against her.
Stephanie stiffened. This guy—for real? Her mind blanked, embarrassment hitting hard as her face burned even more.
“Let go already?” She pushed at his shoulders, her voice quick and snappy. With the studio mess on her mind, she wasn’t up for messing around. Her brows scrunched up, stress creeping in. Sebastian caught it, lifting his head to look at her.
“Who was on the phone?” he asked, loosening his grip, tone evening out.
“Jennifer. Studio stuff,” she said, sitting up straighter. He tilted his head, eyes narrowing a bit. “So what’s with the sour look?”
She sighed, voice dropping. “My biggest client ditched me.” They’d been solid forever—since the studio’s rocky start last year. She leaned on those old wins to keep steady, but the random, no-explanation dropout still hit hard.
Sebastian sat up a bit, resting her head against his chest. “Biggest client, huh?”
“Skyriver Travel,” Stephanie mumbled, settling into him. “Honestly, I owe them big time.” They’d taken a shot on her little studio way back, opening doors for other clients to jump in. She’d always been quietly thankful for that. Without them, no one would have bothered with her startup.
At “Skyriver Travel,” Sebastian let out a quiet laugh. “Aren’t we pulling back to Fiorenza anyway? Maybe you should just let it go,” he said, shrugging it off.
Stephanie shook her head, firm. “No way. The studio’s got too many designers relying on it—it can’t just shut down.”
“I think I need to talk to Skyriver Travel myself,” she said, straightening up, her eyes flashing with determination. Dropping her like that with no heads-up? They owed her an explanation, at least. Then she realized that she didn’t have to go in person. An idea popped up, and she perked up.
“Hey, Sebastian,” she said, looking up at him, a hopeful little lift in her voice. “Didn’t you say you know Skyriver Travel’s CEO?”
That hopeful voice hit different this time—warm, soft, tugging at him in a way that caught him off guard. They’d gotten tighter lately, sure, but he still got a kick out of her chirpy face now.
“Yeah, I know him,” he said with a casual nod, his eyes softening.
Her face brightened. “Then—could you maybe ask him for me?”
Sebastian wasn’t big on playing ring-around-the-rosy. “I can ask,” he said, his voice low. Stephanie blinked. Her brain blanked. Pay him back? She stared, eyes wide.
“What do you mean?” Sebastian held her gaze, his tone serious. Her breath caught, heart pounding hard in her chest. Before she could say anything, he leaned down. The second their breaths mixed, the dining room’s warm light bounced off the snowy window, making the cold winter night feel a little cozier.