Chapter 9: Hands and Hearts

I can’t believe what happened last night. The memory of Sebastian’s lips on mine lingers like a warm ember, refusing to fade. What was that? And what would have happened if the oven hadn’t interrupted us? The thought strikes me like a bolt of lightning. Equal parts excitement and nervousness.

A knock at the door pulls me from my spiraling thoughts. Peeking out the window, I see Sebastian standing there, leaning casually against his car. Why is he here? I quickly grab my coat and head to the door, trying to calm the flutter in my chest.

“Good morning,” he greets, holding up two cups of coffee. “Thought you might need a little boost to start the day.”

“You didn’t have to,” I reply, but I can’t stop the smile that plays at the corners of my lips.

“Well, I wanted to. Besides,” he says, handing me a cup, “it’s always better to start the day with coffee.”

His casual tone doesn’t hide the gleam of mischief in his eyes, and it’s enough to make my heart pound again. I climb into his car, gripping the coffee cup tightly as if it might steady me.

As we drive to the town square, the silence is comfortable at first, but then Sebastian breaks it.

“So, about last night…” he starts, glancing at me with a playful smirk.

I nearly choke on my coffee. “Wh-what about it?”

“You seemed distracted.”

“I wasn’t!” I protest, my voice a little too high-pitched. I turn my face to the side, avoiding his look, staring out the window instead.

“You were,” he insists, teasing. “Don’t worry. I’m not complaining.”

I feel my face heat up, and I’m certain my cheeks are as red as the stoplight we’re waiting at. “Can we just focus on the Winter Wonderland project today?”

“Of course,” he says smoothly, but the grin on his face tells me he’s enjoying my embarrassment far too much.

When we arrive, the town square is already bustling with activity. Volunteers are moving decorations, setting up stalls, and arranging lights. In the middle of it all, I spot Celine waving enthusiastically.

“You two arrived together?” she asks, her eyebrows raising suggestively.

“It’s not what you think,” I say quickly, but my flustered tone only fuels her teasing.

“Sure,” she says, dragging out the word. “Anyway, let’s get to work.”

Sebastian and I move to the corner where the blueprint for the Winter Wonderland is laid out. He’s in his element here, pointing out changes and explaining logistics with an ease that’s impressive to watch. I find myself drawn in by the way he speaks. Confident, thoughtful, and so passionate about his work.

“What do you think?” he asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“About what?” I ask, realizing I’ve been staring at him instead of the plans.

He chuckles. “The layout. Should we add more lights here? Or would it be too much?”

I lean closer to study the design, aware of how near we are to each other. “I think more lights would be perfect. It’ll make the square feel magical.”

“Magical, huh?” he repeats. When I glance up, his eyes are on me, not the blueprint. For a moment, the world around us fades, leaving just the two of us.

The sound of the hammer hitting a nail takes me back to reality. I step back quickly, pretending to focus on the blueprint. “Yes, magical,” I say, trying to sound casual.

As the day goes on, we fall into a rhythm. Sebastian’s hands-on approach gets the volunteers motivated, and his creative suggestions make the project come to life. Watching him work, I feel a warmth spreading through me. He’s not just helping me with this project, he’s helping me heal. The grief that has weighed me down for so long feels a little lighter today.

I catch myself smiling as I string lights along the gazebo. It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this… light. For years, I built walls around my heart to keep the pain out. But now, standing here, I can feel those walls starting to crack.

Sebastian notices me rolling my wrist and flexing my fingers as I step down from the ladder. I’ve been stringing lights for what feels like hours, and the dull ache in my hands refuses to fade.

“You’re pushing yourself too hard,” he says, firm but laced with concern. He steps closer, his presence commanding yet gentle.

“I’m fine,” I reply, but the twinge in my voice betrays me.

“Let me see,” he says softly, reaching for my hand.

I hesitate, but his fingers brush against mine, and the warmth of his touch disarms me. Gently, he lifts my hand, his thumb tracing the faint redness along my palm where the wire had dug in.

“You’re not fine,” he murmurs.

The way his thumb lingers sends a shiver up my arm. “It’s nothing I can’t handle,” I say, but my voice quieter now, unsteady.

Sebastian looks at me, his gaze searching. “Sit down,” he says, guiding me to the edge of the gazebo steps.

Before I can protest, he kneels in front of me, his hands warm and firm as they cradle mine. His touch is steady, deliberate. He begins to massage the tension from my palms, his fingers strong yet careful.

“Sebastian, you don’t have to—“

“Let me,” he says, his eyes lifting to meet mine. The intensity in his gaze steals my breath, and for a moment, I lose the ability to argue.

His thumbs press into the base of my fingers, working in slow circles, and I can’t help but close my eyes. His touch is hypnotic, each movement sending a ripple of warmth through me.

“You carry too much,” he says. “You don’t have to do it all alone.”

The quiet sincerity in his words causes a heaviness in my heart. When I open my eyes, he’s watching me, his expression unreadable but his gaze impossibly tender.

“I don’t know how to let go,” I admit, the words spilling out before I can stop them.

Sebastian’s hands still, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, his fingers shift, brushing lightly along the inside of my wrist, where my pulse beats erratically. His touch is almost reverent, and the intimacy of it takes my breath away.

“You’re not alone, Selina,” he says. “Not anymore.”

The space between us feels charged, the world around us fading into a distant hum. My heart pounds as I realize how close he is, the faint scent of cedar wood and fresh air clinging to him.

“Sebastian…” I start, but I don’t know how to finish.

His fingers linger for a moment longer before he releases my hands, his touch leaving behind a tingling warmth. He rises, offering me his hand to help me up.

As Sebastian offers me his hand, I hesitate for a moment. But before I can take it, Celine appears behind us.

“You two are inseparable, huh?” she says with a raised eyebrow, a grin tugging at her lips. “Anyway, Selina, we’re going to the spa tomorrow for a girl’s hangout. You could use a little pampering.”

I blink, the suggestion a welcome distraction. “A spa day sounds perfect,” I reply, already imagining the relaxation that would come with it. “I’m definitely in.”

Celine smiles, satisfied. But then her gaze shifts between me and Sebastian, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. “And after all the hard work here tonight,” she adds with a teasing tone, “I’m sure Sebastian will be giving you a ride home, right?”

I glance at Sebastian, my heart doing a little flip at the thought. He catches my gaze, his lips curling into a small smile.

“Of course,” he says, like he’s already made up his mind. “I’ll make sure she gets home safe, no worries.”

His words feel like a promise, and I can’t help but smile at the thought of him taking me home tonight. 

“Thanks,” I say quietly, the words carrying a deeper meaning. I don’t know what it is exactly. Maybe it’s the way his voice sounds, or the fact that he’s taking responsibility for my safety. But something about it feels personal, and it touches something inside me.

Celine gives us a knowing look and flashes a grin before walking off, leaving Sebastian and me alone.

“Shall we?” he says, holding out his hand again, his smile now softer, almost intimate. His eyes lock onto mine, and I can feel a subtle shift in the air between us.

I nod, placing my hand in his. The touch is electric, and I can feel the warmth of his skin spreading through me. He gently pulls me closer as we walk back to where his car is parked. The night air feels crisp, but it’s nothing compared to the heat that seems to simmer between us.

As we reach the car, Sebastian opens the door for me, his hand briefly brushing against mine as I slip inside. The small, intimate gesture doesn’t go unnoticed, and I feel my heart race a little faster.

He slides into the driver’s seat, and as the engine starts, he glances at me, his expression serious but soft. “I’ll get you home safe, Selina,” he says, carrying an intimate tone, almost like a secret.

I nod, the quiet assurance in his words wrapping around me like a blanket. As we drive away from the Winter Wonderland project, the distance between us seems to shrink with every mile. The silence isn’t uncomfortable. It’s the kind of silence that only two people who understand each other can share. 

As the town fades behind us, the warmth of the car, the scent of pine trees from the open windows, and the steady hum of the engine create a perfect moment. I glance at him, catching his gaze for a brief second, and for a moment, the world feels like it’s just the two of us.