Chapter 129

Abigail didn’t exactly consider that a compliment. After a moment of silence, she said calmly, “So you’d break up with me privately…?"

Sebastian actually laughed out loud. “What kind of logic is that? You’re already assuming I’m going to dump you?”

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Abigail paused, then continued, “It’s not that I can’t handle dating someone who’s had girlfriends before. I just get the feeling you’ve probably had a lot of them.”

“So because you saw me give someone a bag on the street, you’ve decided I’m some kind of player?” Sebastian leaned back in his chair and tilted his head toward her.

It wasn’t just that incident, though. Every time Abigail had seen him since then, he’d struck her as the type who knew his way around relationships.

“That’s not the only reason,” Abigail said quietly.

Sebastian leaned forward. “Then what is it?”

“I just think you have way too many options, and I’m definitely not one of them.”

Abigail didn’t think she was lacking, but she’d spent three years in prison and had a criminal record. She didn’t know much about Sebastian’s family background, but she could tell he came from money. That was the reason why.

But then again, Abigail knew she was probably overthinking this. Maybe he just had a mild interest in her, nothing serious enough for marriage. Guys like him, the player types, would date all kinds of women—the sultry seductress type, the innocent sweet girl type—basically anyone who caught their fancy.

“You think I want to be with you on a whim?” Sebastian’s voice turned serious.

“Isn’t that what it is?” Abigail asked, genuinely surprised.

“So that one time I bought someone a purse on the street, and now you’ve got me all figured out?” Sebastian sighed. ‘Just that one incident, and it left such a lasting impression on her?’ he thought.

“It’s not just that one time. But since my meeting summary was fine, I should head back now.” Abigail didn’t want to get stuck on this topic. She’d come here for work in the first place, but somehow, they suddenly started talking about feelings and relationships.

Abigail stood up to leave.

Sebastian reached out and caught her wrist. “I already made dinner reservations. Stay and have lunch with me.”

“I should probably get going. Everyone at the company is swamped with this shared database project, and I don’t want to just hang around here relaxing.” Abigail pulled her hand back and quickly turned to leave.

Sebastian didn’t try to stop her.

After getting out of the elevator, Abigail stood in the hotel lobby for a moment, then hurried outside. At the bus stop, she sent James a text message.

Abigail: [Mr. Robinson finished reviewing the meeting summary. Things are crazy busy at the company, so I’m heading back now. Rain check on that coffee, but thanks anyway.]

Right after Abigail sent the message, a bus pulled up to the stop and she got on. She’d barely found a seat when James called her.

Abigail answered the phone, but before she could say anything, James was already talking. “Why are you rushing off like that? We were planning to take you to lunch before you left.”

“Tech companies are always busy, you know that. Lunch is still hours away anyway, and I’d just be wasting time sitting around,” Abigail replied.

“Come on, that’s not true at all. You don’t have to actually work. Seb would cover for you and say you were busy. Just come back, okay? We got reservations at this amazing restaurant that people wait in line for hours to get into.” James sounded genuinely upset.

“Really, that’s not necessary. I’ve got a ton of stuff to handle at work. Thanks though.”

Abigail hung up the phone. Maybe asking for the meeting summary was just an excuse, she thought. ‘Maybe today was really about how he would confess his feelings?’

Abigail didn’t want to overthink it. She couldn’t figure out what Sebastian was really thinking anyway, and she didn’t want to try.

Meanwhile, James hadn’t even gotten the coffee he’d been waiting in line for before rushing back to the hotel. He asked Sebastian irritably, “What’s wrong with you? She was doing fine, and then suddenly she has to go back to work?”

“She wanted to leave, so I confessed my feelings. That just made her bolt even faster,” Sebastian replied casually.

James stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. “So you’re finally getting a taste of your own medicine! What were you thinking, confessing to her like that?”

Sebastian’s voice stayed calm. “I’m definitely regretting that impulse. She’s probably going to avoid me for a while now.”

“You finally had something going with her, and now, she’s going to run the other way whenever she sees you.” James walked over and sat down on the couch, looking at him with mock sympathy.

“Stop enjoying this so much,” Sebastian said, standing up.

Seeing how annoyed he looked, James tried to hold back his laughter. “I’m not enjoying anything. Come on, tell me exactly why she turned you down.”

“She said I broke up with someone right there on the street, which was pretty embarrassing. She’s worried I might do the same thing to her someday.” Sebastian rubbed his temples as he spoke.