From where he stood, Sebastian glared out at the water below. He had just witnessed the most ungentlemanly display he had seen during his time in Rhode Island. Not that Langley Park hadn't offered worse, but he had almost ceased considering his home neighborhood as civilization. More barbarian than human. Sebastian had fallen in love with the idea that people could treat each other with civility, that wars could be fought with words instead of weapons. Still, even though he had used words, the man Sebastian had seen had begun a war when the lady had no idea she had entered a battle. Poor form, Sebastian thought.
He had recognized the girl: shimmering blue-green dress, cascading ruddy-brown curls, and a beautiful smile. One of the real girls. When he had initially caught sight of her, Sebastian had watched with disappointment as another man led her to a secluded corner. A light had flashed across her face for a moment, and at that point, Sebastian had recognized frustration and concern on her features – maybe even panic. Sebastian had stood straight from his stance leaning against the banister, hovering in indecision about whether or not to go intervene.
Then she had grabbed the man by the hair.
Even though Sebastian felt more compelled than before to approach the pair, a boisterous laugh arrested him for a moment when it burst out of his own mouth. By the hair! Effective move, he imagined, if risky. In some cultures, such a move would land her in a world of pain. Sebastian had moved within a few feet of the girl when her “captor” had stepped back and unleashed his string of insults. Rather than act the witness and increase her embarrassment, Sebastian had stopped in his tracks and looked away from the shrouded corner. By the time he glanced back, the man stood alone and the woman was gone.
Sebastian had finally spotted her where she strolled, now much calmer, out from the steps onto the beach. After returning to the two-story windows and examining the interior of the home, he recognized the blonde friend where she lounged across a chair. Either she wove a fascinating tale, or every male around her now stood in waiting for the moment she lost the sense to refuse him so he could seduce her. She would not soon go in search of her friend, so no one would likely find the wavy-haired woman on the beach before she could get herself into trouble. Perhaps Sebastian should have rescued the blond, too, but he would be rescuing her from herself. Really, he felt no conflict. A woman upset and alone in the dark, or a woman drunk in a crowded room.
Maybe the woman on the beach wouldn't want his help, but even if she wouldn't accept it, he would offer it. Then he would make sure she got back to a safe place. He glanced over the banister once again, spotted the woman, then quickly descended the two flights of stairs. Once he reached the sand, he slipped off his shoes and socks, unwilling to ruin the one pair of expensive loafers he had sprung for when at Brown.
“Hey, Curls,” he called into the darkness. He didn't want to scare her by approaching her unannounced.
Piper spun on the sand, her heart leaping to her throat. After she calmed, she cringed at the nickname from the unknown caller.
“Hello?” she answered back toward the house, not quite able to hide her anxiety.
“I'm here,” Sebastian replied, pulling out his cell phone so he could shine the light on his face. “I was standing up on the balcony, and I noticed you were down here by yourself. My name's Bash Rivera. I'm friends with the Hempsteads – the hosts of the party? I thought you might need some help finding your way back through the house.”
“Bash?” she scoffed.
“Yes, Bash.”
“Sorry. It's just - unusual.”
“Yeah, I get that a lot. And you are?”
“Um, promise you'll respond better than I did?”
Sebastian couldn't restrain a laugh. “Is it that bad?”
When she saw the flash of his teeth against the night, Piper returned the grin. Wow. One of his cheeks hinted at a dimple, and Piper had to remind herself to act like a grownup instead of a giddy girl – he was incredibly handsome. She hadn’t dated at all during her senior year, too focused on finishing school, but staring up at the ebony eyes and the dimpled smile, she suddenly found herself considering whether she should continue that policy. “Well, maybe not quite as – unusual - as Bash, but certainly not common.”
“Who wants common?” he shrugged.
“That's what I always say!” Piper instantly liked the man with the dark hair and swarthy features. A slight accent marred his perfect English, but then again, a different one marred hers. And besides, she thought, his is exotic.
“So, your name?”
“Oh, right. It's Piper Hayes.”
“Piper,” he repeated, turning Piper away from the water and back toward the house. “I like it. It matches your personality.”
“Wait,” she paused. “How do you know anything about my personality?”
“You're new around here,” he shrugged. “I noticed you and your friend. You kind of stand out.”
“Are we that awkward?” she worried.
Sebastian turned, demanding her attention. “You weren't awkward at all. You were refreshing.”
“Refreshing?” Piper cackled. “What exactly does that mean? I mean, is that good or bad?”
“It's good. Everyone that comes to these parties is just so plastic.”
Piper rolled her eyes, turning back toward the house and continuing the trek across the beach. “If by plastic you mean refined, then I would agree.”
“Refined? Do you even know what that means? It's actually fairly accurate, if you ask me.”
“I know what refined means. It means poised and elegant and well-educated.”
“It means homogenized and bleached and processed until everything is removed that makes something distinctive.”
Though she had liked him instantly, his words made her like him even more. She halted on the spot and grabbed his arm, turning him toward her. “That is brilliant,” she insisted. “This may be the first time that I ever felt awesome about standing out in the crowd.”
He peered down into her face, pouring all of his sincerity into his words. “You definitely stand out in a crowd, and that is definitely a good thing.” When her eyes dropped, he knew that he had spoken with more intensity than he had intended. He turned and kept walking, and a moment later, she followed. “But, yeah,” he continued casually, “these people have removed every trait that separates them from each other, and to them, that's good. To me, it's stupid.”
“Well, Bash Rivera, that is a great philosophy.”
“Thank you, Piper Hayes,” he flashed a smile at her. So far, he had spoken to her for a total of five minutes, and already he had smiled more than the entire day previous. Sebastian did not often find reason to smile, but Piper seemed to draw forth amusement from wherever it resided inside of him. “So, why aren't you with your friend?”
“It's a long story,” Piper sighed. Bash led her under one of the lower bannisters and produced a key, opening a private-looking door on the side of the stairwell. They both dusted their feet before placing them in their shoes.
“Well, it's a pretty long walk to the valets, so you have time,” he prompted.
“Okay,” Piper shrugged. She saw no reason not to tell him. “Well, it's not that interesting anyway, but I came with my friend, Molly, and Molly always gets lots of attention, so she promised to keep me with her everywhere that she went. She met this guy Declan-”
“Declan Garrett. Yeah, I know him. Not any more of a jerk than any of the others who come to these parties.”
“Maybe not, but I got stuck with his friend, Mitch.”
“Parkington. Yeah, not really a bad guy, just kind of dense. Smart, but dense.”
“I guess I could see that, though being drunk didn't help him any in the manners category.”
Sebastian shrugged. “Does being drunk ever help anyone in the manners category?”
“True. So, I don't know if you saw what happened out on the balcony...”
Under no circumstances would he admit that he had.
“...but Molly sent me to look for Declan, and when I found him, Mitch was with him, and Mitch stood up to greet me – which was really sweet, I thought at the time – and he knocked over his drink. Declan was being a jerk about it, so I started helping clean up the mess. Declan bailed, going to search for Molly, and I finished cleaning up with Mitch. After that, I started talking and lost track of exactly where I was until I realized I was outside.”
“I can't imagine that,” Sebastian laughed, and Piper glared at him through the dimness of the hallway where they now walked.
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“Well,” she continued with a hint of petulance, “Mitch misunderstood why I had gone outside with him, because apparently people only went outside to...”
“To get physical.”
“Right, and when I said no, he kind of freaked out and totally humiliated me, and so I came down here.”
“Not necessarily a great idea to wander off alone in a place where no one really knows you,” Sebastian lectured. “I have a question though, and it might seem kind of rude, but I need to know the answer before I let you drive away. How much have you had to drink?”
For a moment, Piper could only glare at him. “Do you think that's any of your business?” she rebuffed.
“Look, I told you - I'm just trying to help. I haven't seen you at the Jamestown parties before, and so I can't exactly expect you to know how to handle these people.”
“Handle them?” Piper's curiosity reared under his strange proclamation.
“Well, look,” he stuttered, “It’s probably not polite to mention this, but as much as you’ve drunk – ”
“Would you stop? I'm not drunk! I haven't even had one drink!”
Sebastian peered skeptically at her in the dark. “Piper, you smell like scotch.”
Comprehending, Piper huffed in irritation. She felt as much frustration at the memory as she did at his question. “Uh, yeah. Remember the guy upstairs?” she queried
“How could I forget?”
“Well, the whole incident with him started with his spilling his drink, right? And when I helped him clean it up, I managed to douse my sleeve.”
“And your antics with your friend?” Sebastian interrogated. “You were – more relaxed than most of the people who were dancing out there. So was she.”
“Molly?” Piper chimed a bell-tone laugh. “Ask my professors if they find the behavior unusual with either of us…though,” Piper shrugged comically, “I won't deny that Molly has had a few. Still, at the time, whatever you might think, she hadn't had enough to affect her behavior.”
“And,” Sebastian drew the word out, “the dancing, the laughing? That is all perfectly normal behavior?”
After another throatier laugh, Piper turned to face him. “Look, I can tell by this party that your kind of people don't ever act foolish, but I don't come from your 'Jamestown' people, and since this is my first party here, I haven't quite figured out the proper amount of boredom to fit in.”
“They're not 'my' Jamestown people,” Sebastian murmured, and Piper stared at him curiously. “Well,” he continued aloud as he started to walk again, “maybe you should try going to parties where people aren't quite so bored. If you come back here, you'll probably end up with another trip to the balcony.”
Piper shivered at the thought. “I wouldn't go back there if you promised me a yacht ride.”
When Sebastian snickered, Piper pursed her lips at him. “Wait,” he reached for her arm. “I'm sorry I laughed. It wasn't at you. I was laughing at how many guys I know who would try that.”
Mollified, Piper smiled. “Well then, you'd be even more amused what a lot of girls would do for that ride.”
Sebastian managed a smile in return, suddenly regretting his boldness in accusing her of being drunk. Before them, a dim arch opened, and Piper recognized it as a window in a door.
“So, your valet should be right outside this door,” Sebastian informed her as he reached for the handle.
Mindlessly, Piper started to step out the door, but she halted her foot mid-step. “I can't leave!” she insisted. “Molly and I came together.”
Sebastian considered for a moment. “Well, do you want to go back into that party after Mitch's antics?”
“No,” she shook her head vigorously. “I guess I could just sit and wait in the car – play on my phone or something.”
“Or text Molly and tell her that I will drive her home tonight,” Sebastian offered.
“But you don't even know her!”
“I don't know you either, but you just strolled along the beach with me and walked down a dark corridor with me.”
Piper snickered. “You make it sound so sinister.”
“Would it have been sinister with Mitch?” he pressed.
When Piper shivered, she allowed his point. “I guess you know what you're talking about.”
“Look, I'm friends with the hosts. I'll get them to introduce me and then I'll convince her to let me drive her home.”
“She'll assume you're just hitting on her.”
Sebastian shrugged. “Whatever she needs to assume that will convince her to come with me.”
“So, you think she'll accept your proposal.”
When Sebastian grinned, Piper understood the stupidity of her question. She doubted that anyone refused him after he flashed a smile.
“Look, I am very persuasive, and people tend to trust me. If I used my skills to manipulate people to their own detriment, I might see a point in refraining, but I tend to be more conscientious about people than they are about themselves, so it’s not really an issue. I only use my insights when a situation needs calming, and I can help. Besides, if she’s not convinced, I'll offer to call her a taxi.”
Piper stared back at Sebastian, a porch light from outside casting his face half in shadow. Somehow, the profile seemed to fit him – a warm, pleasant half and a hidden, darker half. Still, she could not believe him sinister in his darkness. More…guarded.
“Well, I would love to leave right away, but let me text Molly first, and if she's coherent enough to answer me, I'll let her make the decision.”
“From what I observed of you two, she’ll do whatever you say,” Sebastian smirked, and when she processed his words, she actually reached out and shoved his shoulder. His mouth parted for a full-on grin.
“Not sure how you think you know that,” Piper sassed as she entered the letters on her phone and watched impatiently for a reply. A moment later, her phone buzzed in her hand.
OH MY GOSH! WHERE ARE YOU! Molly indulged her typical flair for the dramatic.
Why? Piper worried. Are you okay? She glanced up at Bash while she waited anxiously for an answer.
Me? I'm fine. But I was so worried about you! That horrible guy came up to Declan a few minutes ago and started throwing out insults toward you. Lucky for him, Declan held me back, but I was GOING to punch that man in the nose.
Piper laughed out loud, and Sebastian stifled a laugh so she wouldn't notice his reading over her shoulder.
So, since you know about it, you can probably understand why I don't really want to come back into the party, Piper inquired.
Well, yeah. But back from where?
I'm out by the car right now, Piper explained. I was thinking about heading home, but I didn't want to leave you without a ride. I'm with a friend of the hosts right now, and he's offered to call you a taxi when you're ready to leave.
He? Molly demanded. Who's he? Is he cute?
When Piper glanced up at Bash, he did not seem to notice her embarrassment at the question, apparently enthralled in some activity going on at the valet stand.
Yes. Very, Piper allowed, shielding the phone from prying eyes. His name is Bash, but don't let that bother you.
Hmmm. Bash. I guess that's okay if he's cute ;) Molly offered. And if it means I don't have to leave, I don't care what his name is. I am SO not leaving right now! I didn't want to make you endure what's left of this fiasco, though. And now I get to meet mister gorgeous!
Piper found herself chewing her lip in consternation, not really wishing to encourage the beautiful Molly Pollard to connect with Mr. Bash Rivera. Once a man found himself enamored with Molly, he rarely found time to pay attention to anyone else. Surprised at her own thoughts, Piper rushed to answer the message.
Right. Have fun with that, Piper teased.
I will. And you’re not losing me.
You’re not losing me, either.
Piper felt herself relax as she slid her phone back in her purse.
When she was a child, Piper and her older sister, Jennie, had bonded in a way most siblings never did. They had determined that “love you” was thrown around way too often, and they didn’t want to think of their connection as typical. Though “you’re not losing me” was a more casual and safer phrase in some ways, it carried a promise that they would always be there for each other, that they would look beyond the short-term arguments or irritations and come back together. That they were on the same team and would fight the world in defense of each other.
After almost four years, Piper’s friendship with Molly had grown to a similar depth, and even Jennie thought of the savvy and intense little blond as a sister. Though Piper was desperate to escape the massive throng of humanity above, she had worried about leaving her friend. Even if Molly had imbibed more than Piper would have liked, the girl had still managed their signoff. It meant that she was alert enough to take care of herself, and knowing Sebastian would check up on her offered Piper even more comfort.
Sebastian had read the words, but they meant nothing to him. As if responding to Piper’s changed posture, he took a step back toward her. “So, what's the verdict?” he queried.
“Molly's ready to meet you. Do you think you'll have any trouble finding her?”
“I'm sure I won't,” he smiled, offering Piper his arm to help her up the stairs to the valet. Even though he tried not to, he couldn't help feeling smug at what he had read of the girls' exchange. Despite her attempt to shield the phone, he had clearly read her impression of him, and he thrilled at the knowledge. When she wrapped her arm around his, he sensed that she had meant the words, not just for Molly’s benefit. “If you have any problems before you get home, feel free to call me. Do you want to take down my number?”
Before them, a small cluster of men in white coats stood illuminated against the night sky by a spotlight set there to reveal their location to leaving guests. Without waiting for an answer, Sebastian called one of them over, and as the man approached, Sebastian turned to Piper. “Do you have your ticket?” he queried.
“Dang it!” Piper exclaimed. “I'm actually not sure. Let me check.” After digging in her purse for a full minute, she rolled her eyes. “Molly must have taken it from me. She does that kind of stuff; she probably snatched it right out of my hand while I was staring at all the arriving guests, and I didn't even notice.”
Piper looked miserable. No doubt, she did not want to venture back into the party and risk running into Mitch.
“Don't worry about it,” Sebastian comforted her. “What does your car look like?”
“Well, it's a red Accord. There must be three or four just like it here.”
The only sign of Sebastian's amusement at her statement came in the form of raised eyebrows, which he quickly corrected. If she thought that very many people in Jamestown drove a mid-line car, she did not know Jamestown.
“But your keys won't open any of the other ones,” he covered smoothly. “Just stay here for a minute.” He sauntered over to the only man who stood behind a wooden podium that held all of the keys, and a moment later, he came back for her. “Sergio's a friend of mine,” he explained. “Are these yours?”
“Yes. How did you guess?”
“Okay,” he admitted. “You see how 'refined' everyone else's keys are?” he chuckled, and Piper looked back at the panel. Nothing but black plastic, most of which held the symbol for one of several luxury car lines. Disgusted, she stared at her own turquoise and purple feather keychain.
“Thanks for pointing that out,” she pouted.
Sebastian touched her arm, urging her to raise her eyes. “Remember? Refined equals boring and homogenized.”
Though she rolled her eyes again, Piper couldn't help but smile, and Sebastian breathed a sigh of relief.
“Look,” Sebastian began as the pair waited for Piper's car, “I think you might want to have my number in case Molly doesn't show up in a timely fashion.”
Butterflies flipped in Piper's stomach as she realized the significance of his statement. His previous offer had passed over her head. Still, she tried to feign nonchalance. “Good idea,” she shrugged, pulling out her phone. “I’ll text you my number in case something comes up and Molly won't behave.”
When Sebastian smiled, Piper wanted to jump up and down, though her shock and fear of appearing foolish held her to the ground. “Okay,” he agreed before taking her phone from her hands and typing in his number. He pressed send then showed her the message that came through. “Piper Hayes,” he spoke as he typed, and Piper could not help beaming with pleasure. She had never restrained her emotions particularly well.
As soon as they had finished, a pair of headlights flashed around the corner of the guest house into the driveway that doubled as a courtyard, and Piper made herself step toward the car's path. “Thanks for your help tonight,” she simpered. “You've been a life saver.”
Again, Sebastian grinned, hustling to get her door before the valet could. After a friendly goodbye, he shut the door behind her, smiling at the retreating vehicle until its headlights disappeared around a bend. He turned back to the party, still smiling. One thing he knew for sure, he liked Piper Hayes. Anyone who could make him express quite so much happiness deserved some appreciation. Fortunately, he had charmed her number out of her, so he felt certain he would see her again. Even if he had to go through her friend.