136 An Ambiguous Lunch
Hazel’s POV 1
I checked the time on my dashboard as I sped down the highway. Twelve forty-five. I was cutting it close for my lunch with Sebastian. My stomach fluttered with nerves, and I kept reminding myself this was just a friendly meal. A thank-you lunch. Nothing
more.
So why couldn’t I stop checking my appearance in the rearview mirror?
I’d followed Vera’s advice and worn the burgundy wrap dress. It hugged my curves in all the right places, professional yet subtly alluring. My hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders, and I’d applied just enough makeup to enhance my features without looking like I was trying too hard.
For a simple thank-you lunch.
“Get it together, Hazel,” I muttered to myself, changing lanes to overtake a slow-moving truck.
Lumière came into view, its sleek glass façade gleaming in the afternoon sun. I pulled into the valet area, handed over my keys, and took a deep breath before walking
toward the entrance.
The maître d’ greeted me with a practiced smile. “Ms. Shaw? We’ve been expecting you. Right this way, please.”
I followed him through the main dining room, filled with the city’s elite enjoying their expensive lunches. My heels clicked against the marble floor as we approached a discreet door at the back of the restaurant.
“Your private room, Ms. Shaw,” he said, opening the door with a flourish.
I stepped inside, expecting to see Sebastian waiting for me. Instead, I found him deep in conversation with a striking woman. My step faltered.
The woman turned, revealing a familiar face: Cora Cadwell, Sebastian’s sister. They shared the same commanding presence and piercing eyes, though hers held a mischievous glint Sebastian’s rarely showed.
“Ah, there she is,” Cora said, her lips curving into a knowing smile.
Sebastian stood immediately. “Hazel,” he greeted me, his voice warm.
I regained my composure quickly. “I’m sorry I’m late. Traffic was worse than I expected.”
“You’re right on time,” Sebastian replied, pulling out a chair for me.
Cora watched our interaction with undisguised interest. “So, am I interrupting something here?” she asked, gesturing between us. “You two certainly seem to have your own private world.”
Heat crept up my neck. “Not at all. This is just a thank-you lunch for all Sebastian’s help recently.”
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“A thank-you lunch,” Cora repeated, her tone making the words sound far intimate than they were. “In a private dining room at Lumière. How… friendly.”
Sebastian gave his sister a warning look. “Cora.”
She held up her hands in mock surrender. “What? I’m simply clarifying the situation.
So it’s not a date?”
“No,” I said firmly, though my cheeks betrayed me by burning hotter.
“Sebastian?” Cora turned to her brother. “Is this just a thank-you lunch, as Hazel
claims?”
I held my breath, waiting for his answer.
Sebastian’s expression remained unreadable. “If Hazel says so, then it is.”
My heart skipped a beat at his deliberately ambiguous reply. What did that mean? Was
he suggesting he’d prefer it to be a date? Or was he simply being polite?
Before I could dwell on it further, servers entered with our first course.
“You’ve already ordered?” I asked, surprised.
Sebastian nodded. “I hope you don’t mind. I’m on a tight schedule today, and Vera mentioned your preferences to the chef.”
“Of course that’s fine,” I said, touched by his thoughtfulness.
Cora watched us with amusement dancing in her eyes. “So, Hazel, tell me how you two met. Sebastian’s been frustratingly vague about it.”
I glanced at Sebastian, wondering how much he’d shared with his sister. “We met at a charity gala a few months ago.”
“Really? Just a few months? You seem so… comfortable with each other. Like you’ve known each other forever.”
Sebastian cut in smoothly. “Hazel and I share many mutual connections.”
“Including her ex-fiancé, Alistair Everett,” Cora added, taking a sip of her water. “Quite the drama there, from what I hear.”
I stiffened. “You seem well-informed.”
“Oh, I make it my business to know who my brother spends his time with,” Cora replied, her smile sharp. “Especially when he cancels our standing lunch date to meet with you instead.”
Sebastian shot her a look that would have intimidated anyone else. Cora merely shrugged.
“I didn’t realize I was interrupting your plans,” I said, feeling awkward. “We could have rescheduled.”
“Nonsense,” Sebastian said firmly. “Cora can spare me for one lunch.”
“Besides,” Cora added, “I wanted to meet the woman who’s had my brother checking his phone every five minutes like a teenager.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “Cora, enough.”
–
I tried to process this revelation as our appetizers were placed before us delicate seared scallops with a citrus reduction. Sebastian Sinclair, checking his phone for messages from me? The thought seemed absurd.
“These look amazing,” I said, desperate to change the subject.
“Try them,” Sebastian encouraged. “The chef here studied in France for ten years.”
I took a bite, closing my eyes briefly at the exquisite flavor. When I opened them, I caught Sebastian watching me, his gaze intense. He quickly looked away.
“Delicious,” I managed to say.
Cora observed our interaction with undisguised fascination. “So, Hazel, Sebastian tells me you’re rebuilding Evening Gala. Impressive move, buying out your ex.”
“Thank you,” I replied, grateful for the shift to safer territory. “It’s been challenging but rewarding.”
“I’d love to see your designs sometime. I’m attending the Governor’s Ball next month and need something that will make heads turn.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you care about making heads turn?”
“Since always, brother dear. Not all of us can intimidate a room just by walking into it.”
Their sibling banter continued as we moved through the courses. Despite my initial discomfort, I found myself enjoying Cora’s sharp wit. She was formidable but genuine, occasionally throwing me knowing looks whenever Sebastian and I shared a moment.
“How’s your mother doing?” Sebastian asked during a lull in conversation.
“Much better,” I replied, touched that he remembered. “The new medication seems to be working. The doctors are optimistic.”
Sebastian nodded. “I’m glad to hear it. If you need specialists or second opinions, just say the word.”
“Always trying to solve everyone’s problems,” Cora commented, but her tone was affectionate. “It’s his greatest strength and most annoying habit.”
I smiled. “I’ve noticed.”
“And you?” Sebastian asked, his eyes focusing on me. “How are you handling everything with your father’s case?”
The concern in his voice made my chest tighten. “One day at a time. The evidence is
solid, thanks to your team.”
“Harold Shaw will get what he deserves,” Cora said firmly. “Men like him always do.”
The conversation drifted to safer topics as we finished our meal. Cora checked her watch and stood.
“I hate to eat and run, but I have a meeting at two. Hazel, it was lovely to finally meet
136 An Ambiguous Lunch
you.” She leaned down and whispered in my ear, “He likes you. More than he’s
admitting.”
Before I could respond, she straightened and turned to her brother. “Don’t forget Mom’s birthday dinner next week.”
Sebastian nodded. “I’ll be there.”
After Cora left, a charged silence fell between us. Sebastian studied me across the table, his expression thoughtful.
“I’m sorry about my sister,” he said finally. “She can be… direct.”
“I liked her,” I replied truthfully. “She reminds me of Vera.”
“God help us all if those two ever join forces.”
I laughed, some of the tension dissipating. “Thank you for having lunch with me. I wanted to show my appreciation for everything you’ve done.”
Sebastian’s eyes softened. “You don’t need to thank me, Hazel.”
“I do,” I insisted. “Most people wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to help someone they barely knew.”
Something flickered across his face – a shadow of an emotion I couldn’t quite name. “Is that what you think? That we barely know each other?”
My breath caught at the intensity in his gaze. “I-I don’t know what to think
sometimes. Especially about you.”
“What do you want to know?”
The directness of his question caught me off guard. What did I want to know? Why he had helped me? Why he looked at me the way he did? Why his ambiguous answer to Cora’s question about our lunch had left me both confused and hopeful?
Before I could formulate a response, his phone buzzed. He glanced at it and sighed.
“I have to take this,” he said, genuine regret in his voice.
I nodded, both relieved and disappointed at the interruption. “Of course.”
As Sebastian stepped away to take his call, I found myself replaying his words in my
mind: “If Hazel says so, then it is.” The statement haunted me with its implications.
Was he leaving it up to me to define what was happening between us? And if so, what
did I want it to be?
