Sebastian (The Billionaire Boyfriend #1) - Christina Benjamin Page 0,12

the orders you give out, okay?”

She nods eagerly, assuring me that she’ll be more careful in the future. I can see how upset she is at herself for failing both me and Bash, and I know I don’t have to harp on it any longer.

“I'm going to The Plaza to deliver these myself, can you lock up here for me and head on home?”

“Yes, Holly!”

I wink at her, scooping up the box and glancing inside to make sure that it was indeed the cupcakes before rushing out back to my delivery van. The van, recently repainted to match the trademark colors of the bakery’s interior, is freshly filled with gas and ready to hit the road. I leap in, slap on my seatbelt, and careen down the street. I might’ve blown a red light or two, but this was a bakery emergency.

Fortunately for me, The Plaza is only a few blocks away and, thanks to the numerous weddings held there and the cakes I deliver for them, I knew the best route to take.

I make it to the venue in record time and thankfully, the cupcakes hadn’t been handed out to the guests yet. Stealthily creeping along the back of the dining hall, I manage to sneak the last dozen in with the rest. When I try to creep back toward the door, however, I bump headlong into a waiter carrying a huge tray of wine glasses. The glasses clink and clatter together as both the waiter and I try to save them from crashing to the ground.

The noise interrupts the best man as he’s giving his speech, a best man who just so happens to be Sebastian himself.

“Holly,” Bash says in surprise, speaking into the microphone. “You’re here.”

Every single one of the people seated around the tables slowly swivel toward me, taking in the sight of the stranger breeching their event.

“Oh my God, Bash!” gasps a young woman in a floaty white sundress. I recognize her from Bash’s phone, but even if I didn’t it’s easy to tell she’s the bride. She looks from me to Bash. “Is this her? Is this the girl you were telling me about?”

“Clara . . .” Bash warns. His face turns red and he sets the microphone down stumbling over words I can’t hear as he follows his sister, who’s rushing toward me.

The bride is beaming when she reaches me. “Hi! I’m Clara, Bash’s sister. You must be Holly.” She turns to Bash who’s finally caught up to his animated sister. “Oh my God, Bash! You finally have a girlfriend! This is the best wedding present ever!” she exclaims throwing her arms around her brother’s neck.

Bash stares at me over her shoulder, steel gray eyes churning. I can practically hear the gears of his brain grinding, wrestling with how much he clearly adores his sister and how he can’t disappoint her.

Don’t you dare, I silently mouth at him, but I know it’s too late. Before he speaks, I already know what he’s going to say.

He grabs my hand and pulls me to his side, picking up the microphone. “Surprise,” he says into the mic, “This is my date for the wedding. Everyone, meet Holly.”

Chapter 7

Sebastian

“What the hell, Bash?” Holly hisses, cheeks as red as her hair as I drag her back into the reception hall. “Now you want me to be your date to your sister’s wedding? You’re the one who owes me, not the other way around.”

I hold up my palms, quieting her and glancing over my shoulder to make sure my prying sister or mother aren’t trailing after us. No doubt they’re going crazy right now trying to figure out who Holly is and why I didn’t tell them she would be attending the wedding with me.

I'll come up with some story later to explain the abrupt invitation, but right now I have to convince the beautiful baker to help me out. Having to constantly beg Holly for help is not a position I enjoy being in.

I squeeze the back of my neck guiltily. “I know it’s a little out there and it’s definitely last minute, but I need you to go along with this . . . at least for tonight,” I add when she starts to object. “Come on. There’s an open bar and the caterer is phenomenal. I promise you’ll enjoy yourself. Are you a vegetarian? I heard there’s falafel.”

Holly’s face is unreadable, her green eyes utterly unconvinced. “I don’t even know what falafel is,” she mutters.

I blow