30. The Past

"That weekend, in California. I finally visited Mom's grave."

Seb's finger stops tracing circles on my thighs. He grips my waist, settling himself on my chest, not saying a word.

"I thought I would break down again, but strangely enough, I felt calm." I smile as I recount, "Maybe because I got to talk to Olive before I came to her."

"You were probably thinking that everything would be okay." Seb says, smiling at me.

I smile back and gave him a peck. His lips are stained red, courtesy of the gloss from my lipstick. His hair a mess and there are scratch marks on his chest. I expect them, of course, we had a pretty intense night. A blush creeps up my face, even as I chuckle at the thought. This. The contentment that I feel with him makes my heart swell. I can stay in this moment forever.

"What's funny? Huh? What's funny?" Seb asks, positioning to tickle the sensitive spot in the dip between my waist and hip. I squirm, screeching. "Shhh...Lucien might hear you."

I clamp down my m