Page 116 of Bid For Me
The quiet in the room stretches for a moment, and I feel his gaze on me, soft and steady. He doesn’t rush me. Doesn’t push. Just waits.
“Let’s get you settled,” Seb says gently. His voice is low, steady, like it always is, and yet, there’s an underlying urgency to it, as if he wants to make sure I’m comfortable. It’s almost like he’s waiting for me to make the next move.
I nod, trying to focus on the task at hand, but it’s hard with the storm of emotions brewing inside me.
I take a few more steps around the room, gathering the last of my things, but my movements are slow, deliberate. I’m not quite ready to let go, and I can feel Seb’s eyes following me, patient and understanding.
“You’ve got everything you need?” he asks softly, his voice carrying a hint of concern. “For today at least?”
“Yeah. I think so,” I reply, but the doubt in my voice is evident. “I’m just…not sure if I’m ready to let go of this place.”
Seb steps behind me, wrapping his arms around me from behind, his warmth a constant reassurance. His chin rests on the top of my head as he pulls me in, holding me tight. “It’s okay to feel scared. But I’m not going anywhere. And neither is this. It’s just a new chapter.”
I lean into him, letting myself relax for a moment, knowing that no matter what, I don’t have to face this alone.
“I know,” I whisper. “I just want to make sure I’m making the right choice.”
Seb doesn’t respond right away, but his presence speaks volumes. He’s here, with me, and he’s not leaving. For the first time in a long time, I believe him. And maybe – just maybe – I can trust that this, whateverthisis, is the right choice.
I stand there for a moment, wrapped in Seb’s arms, the quiet comfort of his embrace allowing the tension to slip away. I close my eyes, inhaling the scent of him – cedarwood and leather, mixed with a trace of something uniquely Seb. It’s grounding. I can feel myself steadying, piece by piece, as I rest against him.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he says again softly, his voice vibrating against my skin. “If you need more time, Elle, you can keep the lease on this place if you want. It’s yours. I don’t expect you to make a decision like this so quickly.”
I pull back slightly, enough to see his face, the gentle concern in his eyes. He’s giving me an out, offering me a way to hold on to my independence, and for a moment, I’m tempted to take it. I could keep my apartment. Keep this last little piece of me, this small pocket of space where I still feel like I’m in control of everything.
But as I look into Seb’s eyes, I know the truth. Iamready.
“I don’t need the lease anymore,” I say, my voice a little stronger now, the words coming easier than I expected. “I’m ready to commit to you. To us.”
Seb’s eyes soften, his lips curling up at the corners as if he’s relieved but also incredibly proud of me. “Are you sure?” he asks quietly, the weight of the question making my chest tighten. “You don’t have to rush this, Elle. I can wait. I’ll wait as long as you need.”
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I just…need to say goodbye to this place. To my old life.”
He gently tilts my chin up, his eyes searching mine, full of warmth and understanding. “Take all the time you need. Our new life is waiting for us when you’re ready.”
My heart swells at his words, and without thinking, I rise on my toes and press my lips to his. The kiss is soft at first, tentative, as if we’re both testing the waters of this new step we’re taking. But then he deepens the kiss, pulling me closer, his hands cupping my face, his fingers brushing through my hair as though he never wants to let go.
I can feel the weight of everything between us in that kiss – the trust, the fear, the longing. And for the first time in a long while, I feel like I’m finally allowing myself to be loved without hesitation.
When we break apart, I can see the same mixture of emotions mirrored in his eyes. He smiles at me, a smile full of pride and affection, as if he knows how big of a step this is for me. “You’re incredible,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m so damn proud of you.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “No. I’m just figuring it out as I go.”
“No,” he insists softly. “You’re doing more than figuring it out. You’re trusting me. That means everything.”
I blink quickly, as if to hold back the sudden rush of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.
“I am,” I whisper. “I trust you, Seb.”
His smile softens even more, and then, without another word, he takes my hand and leads me out. It’s surreal, walking through the empty space that’s been mine for so long, knowing that in a few moments, I’ll be in the house I’m sharing with Seb. The house that’s now part of our future together.
We get to the car, and I take a deep breath, the reality of it all settling in. One last look back. This is it. The last step.
Once we’re in the car, Seb’s hand finds mine, threading his fingers through mine as he starts the engine. “You okay?” he asks, glancing at me, his voice low and comforting.
I nod, squeezing his hand in return, smiling softly. “Yeah. I really am okay.”
“Wanna come back tomorrow?” He asks with an easy, patient smile.