will come first for me told me everything I needed to know.
Sebastian didn’t even balk when I told him I’m heiress to one of the biggest publishing houses in the country. Then again, I didn’t blink when a sleek white Range Rover pulled up and we all piled in.
He doesn’t strike me as a guy who comes from money, though. He’s not a pretentious prick for starters, and then there’s the fact that he didn’t go to college. This car would suggest it wasn’t for lack of funding.
“Why didn’t you go to college?” I ask.
The GPS instructs him to make a left. He does then clears his throat. “I went for a year, then Storm fell pregnant. College was always her dream, not mine. So, I dropped out, got a full-time job until Ever was born, then switched to a night-shift job afterwards so I could look after her through the day, and Storm could go back to classes.”
I stare at his profile as he maneuvers the car through the packed Manhattan streets. “What about your parents? Where were they?”
His shoulders tense. “They’re not part of our lives anymore.”
“I’m sorry,” I say, placing my hand on his rigid thigh.
He scoffs. “Don’t be. We’re better off without them. When Storm refused to get an abortion, they told her she was ruining her life and destroying any chance of a decent future. Then, when their bullying didn’t work, they disowned her.”
My jaw drops. “I thought you meant they’d passed away, not… that.”
“They may as well be dead. The only time they’ve tried to make contact in the last five years was when Storm and Jake’s wedding announcement was published, and they found out she’s marrying into money. Fuck them,” he says with finality.
I give his thigh a squeeze. “Yeah, fuck them,” I parrot, and when he side-eyes me, I grin. “Like you said, you guys are better off without them.”
He returns my smile, and my heart clenches in my chest. “Thanks,” he murmurs.
Thank God Everly is still singing louder than a freight train, so she didn’t pick up on our potty mouths. A few minutes later, he pulls into another parking garage, and we pile out. Sebastian drops his keys into the attendant’s hand, then we hit the street.
Everly is practically vibrating with excitement. “I wub shopping,” she chirps, smiling up at me from her spot in the front of the futuristic-looking stroller.
“Me too,” I tell her then ask, “What are you going to buy today?”
She shrugs her little shoulders wrapped in a fur-lined jacket. “I dunno yet.”
“I’m sure we’ll find you just the right thing,” I say, and she nods, smiling brightly as her eyes devour the shopfronts.
“So,” I say, matching my steps with Sebastian’s, “what exactly are we shopping for today?”
His grin makes my stomach flutter with butterflies. “I can’t exactly let you come to the wedding in a T-shirt and yoga pants.”
“Pretty sure that wouldn’t have the desired effect,” I say, making him frown down at me. “I’m not going to be making anyone jealous if I look like I’ve just rolled out of bed.”
His eyes heat, and I’m thrown back to the night of our video chat. Sebastian licks his bottom lip then says so quietly that only I can hear, “I like that look on you. In fact, I’d like to see it again.”
My cheeks flush, and I smirk at him. “I bet you would. Now, back on topic. What’s the dress code for this shindig? Will I be shamed if I don’t arrive in Prada or Marchesa?”
“Umm.” His face scrunches adorably. “I’ve heard of Prada, but I have no idea who the other one is.”
I give him my best condescending-heiress smile and pat his cheek. “Looks like today is going to be very educational for you, then.”
He grimaces. “Can’t you just pick a dress, I’ll pay for it, and then we can get the hell out of here?”
Throwing my head back, I laugh. If he thinks I’m letting him pay for a designer dress, especially after he just told me what he did for his sister, he’s insane.
“What’s so funny?” he asks, coming to a stop in front of a cute boutique.
“You are,” I say. “I’m buying my own dress.”
His brows furrow. “No, you’re not. I asked you to come with me; you’re doing me a solid. The dress is on me.”
I snort. “And I’m an heiress who has her own money to burn however I see fit. If I want to buy an incredibly overpriced