Chapter Thirteen

Jackson

When I return with a bagful of sushi, the nurse is long gone and Sebastian is lying back in his bed, reclining comfortably, watching TV.

His gaze snaps to me as soon as I enter the room, his smile bright. "Hey," he says, raising himself to a seated position.

"Hey," I answer, placing the bag on the wheelie table beside the bed. "Here, let me help you." Sebastian's expression is adorable as I fix his pillows for him.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure," I say.

"So, what've we got? I'm starving."

"I got a bit of everything. I didn't know what you'd like. For all I fucking know, you could be a damn vegan or vegetarian." Pushing the adjustable table over his bed, I start unpacking the bag's contents onto its clean surface. "We've got some raw salmon nigiri, and a variety of maki. California roll, prawn and avocado, teriyaki chicken, katsu chicken, spicy tuna, and even veggie roll. So, take your pick."

Sebastian's eyes are as big as saucers. "It looks so good," he says emphatically. "Thank you, babe."

Babe . My stomach flip-flops, and I can't help the easy grin that accompanies the ridiculous and unfamiliar sensation. "It was no trouble."

"Here, sit with me," says Sebastian, moving across and patting the mattress beside him. "We can watch trash TV together."

"Japanese maki and trash TV? Sounds like the perfect first date."

Sebastian's smile is as blinding as the damn sun, and his happiness is fucking contagious. "Definitely. And for what it's worth, I eat everything and anything. Don't let the suits and flawless makeup fool you. I'll just as happily eat a truck stop pastie as I will eat a five-star steak dinner. I'm easy."

"So I've noted," I say, giving him a gentle nudge in the ribs with my elbow and a wink.

My perfect boyfriend laughs, then plops a slice of the salmon nigiri into his mouth, closing his eyes. "Mm," he moans, a smile of utter bliss on his face.

With a contented sigh of my own, I pull our drinks from the bag. "Bubble tea?" I ask.

"You drink boba?"

"Ah, yeah. I fucking love all things Japanese," I answer.

Sebastian grins and stabs his giant straw into the cup's thin plastic film. "Me too!" He takes a deep slug, several tapioca pearls shooting up the straw. "Oh my God. Peach is my favorite. How did you know?"

I stab my own tea. "I didn't. It's just my favorite."

"Bloody hell, Jack. Who fucking knew you'd be my perfect man?"

I shrug and take a drink, reveling in the sweet, milky beverage that I've secretly enjoyed since my early teen years. "It's not me who's perfect. It's all you, my brat."

"Well, to each his own," says Sebastian, flicking his ebony hair from his face with a very atypical air of bratty defiance.

"Watch it," I say, a laugh escaping me as I shake my head. I squish a liberal amount of wasabi onto my spicy tuna roll and give Sebastian the side-eye. "You just wait until you're out of here and given a clean bill of health," I warn. "I'll take out any attitude on that sweet ass of yours."

For the next few hours, we eat and drink and laugh until we're red-faced and thoroughly satisfied. Sebastian rests his head on my shoulder when we're done, and it's not too long before he starts to drift off, safe in the comfort that I'm here.

At ten o'clock the same nurse returns, and she places a hand over her heart, mouthing "Bless," as she stops on the threshold. "I'm sorry," she says aloud. "But visiting hours are over. You'll have to say your goodbyes, but you're welcome to come again at eight a.m."

I nudge Sebastian. "Hey, I have to go, Seb. The fuzz is here."

Sebastian's eyes flutter open and focus on the nurse at the door. "You're an idiot, Jack," he says, righting himself.

"An idiot who spent all night keeping your ass company," I remind him.

"Thank you," he says. "For everything. Aside from the whole seizure thing, I had a blast. We'll have to do it again sometime."

"Definitely," I say, echoing his earlier sentiments as I get to my feet. "If you need a lift home tomorrow or anything, give me a call," I say. "Your phone, clothes, and my card are in the bag there," I say, gesturing to my satchel.

"I will," says Sebastian.

Leaning over, I place a kiss on his forehead, and ruff up his perfect hair. "Good night, sexy. Hear from you later, then."

Sebastian beams as I walk by the nurse and offers me a cheeky wave.

Taking the elevator back down to the ground floor, I head for my bike, only to find a damn ticket stuck to my windshield. "Motherfucker," I breathe, but I'm not the least bit annoyed. Fighting the law is my default position, but right now, I couldn't care less about a damn parking fine.

Spending the entire night with Sebastian was everything. The whole world suddenly feels different. Like possibilities, paths, and an entirely new level of happiness that wasn't available to me before, now shine bright and clear toward a future I couldn't possibly have dreamed of, like the beams of a lighthouse in the darkest and most treacherous of nights to guide lost ships at sea safely home…