Chapter 20

Maybe inviting Jason Carper wasn't the best idea. For two reasons. The first is that my attention span has been shortened and I keep getting distracted by his handsome face. The second is that Seb hasn't been happy since he came.

"Let me feed Miracle." I excuse myself quickly before Seb can argue. He has been scolding me for my limited focus since we began discussing how we will stage our act this weekend. I am nervous because I don't know whether Gran has already told my mother about Miracle. I have already told Rina that I will need her to babysit him again. She has no refusals since she seems to have grown fond of him.

×××

|Sebastian Eccles|

"What's up?"

Jason's voice snaps my attention away from Eva who has walked to the kitchen.

"Why?" I ask in confusion.

"You seem to be in a foul mood since this morning. What's eating at you?" Jason asks with a smile. Is it that smile which charmed Eva?

"I'm not. I just feel irritated for some reason." I say honestly. Even I know that I've been acting strange since earlier when Rina told me Eva stayed at Jason's last night. Why am I angry at him for no reason? He didn't do anything wrong.

Is it because Eva left me after our argument and went to Jason who she has only met a few times and is already close pals with? Am I jealous of how quickly they have become friends?

"Don't worry, sometimes our emotions can be chaotic but if you slowly and calmly think through it, you'll find the reason for your irritation." He says. Jason has always been the gentleman. He can control his temper pretty well which is the complete opposite to me.

"Thanks bud. Sorry I snapped at you. I don't know what's gotten into me." I apologise.

"No worries. You were probably worried about Eva huh? She didn't tell me exactly but I could tell something happened." He says.

Every time I hear him mention her name, my blood boils. What is happening? I felt like this when I saw her messy hair this morning. She said Jason likes to touch her hair. I narrow my eyes at the man in front of me. He has never been one to get close to a woman before. Why is he so interested in Eva?

"I was worried because my gran rang this morning and told us to visit this weekend. If we don't practice, our act will be exposed and she will have to return to her dates." I explain.

Jason raises his eyebrows, "Are you concerned about her blind dates?"

"Of course." I say, "After that perverted man last time, I don't want her to go to another one anymore."

"Then why don't you help me?" Jason smiles.

Confused, I ask him, "With what?"

"If I want to court her for real, you will help me right Seb?" He says with bright eyes.

My tongue is stuck to the roof of my mouth and my mouth feels dry as his words repeat inside my mind. Does this mean Eva and Jason are mutually attracted to each other? But why do I feel angry and irritated? Shouldn't I feel happy for my friends?

What the fuck is wrong with me?!

×××

+Eva+

"Let me help you." Jason says and takes Miracle from my arms.

"Thank you." I smile gratefully and sit down on the sofa next to Jason. Miracle seems to have warmed up to him and is giggling by himself.

"He's adorable." Jason grins and plays with him. I watch them. Is this how a warm and loving family feels? I haven't felt this way in a long time.

"Your eyeballs are going to roll out Eva." Seb interrupts my trance and I turn to glare at him. Can't he let me indulge in this atmosphere?

"Why are you worrying about it? Don't worry my eyeballs are sturdy enough to stick along until the weekend." I say sarcastically.

"I doubt it by the way you've been ogling Jason." He smirks.

My face heats up and I quickly glance at Jason who is still busy playing with Miracle. "Shut up." I hiss in embarrassment, "I wasn't. I was watching Miracle." I lie.

"Oh, was that it? I must have seen wrong." Seb grins and winks at me.

I glare at him, "Yes, you did."

After a few hours, with Jason's help, we finally have a plan on how to answer any questions we would be asked. Before he leaves, Jason asks about the vacancy he discussed with me a few days ago. I almost forgot about it with everything which was going on.

"I'm meeting my sister tomorrow, do you want to come and discuss it?" He asks.

I nod enthusiastically, "Sure. Can I bring Miracle along? I can't keep telling Rina to babysit him."

"Of course he can come." Jason smiles and touches Miracle's cheek gently, "My sister will definitely fall in love with him."

"Thank you Jason! You're my hero!" I say with a huge smile.

Jason leans forward a little, "Does this hero deserve a reward?" His voice is low and my heart races at his closeness.

"What reward do you want?" I ask nervously.

"Anything you want to give me." His mouth is close to my ear as he whispers.

My face is bright red and my heart is literally jumping. Is he flirting with me?!

All of a sudden, my vision of Jason is blocked by a large hand. "It's time for you to leave." Seb says before ushering him out.

I frown. Why is he being such a cockblock for?

"Why do you keep stopping Jason and I from talking with each other?" I ask when he closes the door and walks back.

"I just don't like it." Seb mutters, sitting next to me and resting his head against my shoulder.

"That's your reason? You're not five Seb." I moan.

"Miracle seems to be sleeping earlier nowadays." Seb says, glancing at the baby in the bouncer.

"Don't change the topic." I say. "Give me a real reason why I can't talk to him? He was even flirting with me and you had to interrupt the moment."

"What moment? There was no moment." He says bitterly.

My eyes light up as I understand and I laugh aloud, "No way. It can't be because you haven't been sleeping with your girls recently? Are you jealous that I'm getting some action?"

"It's not that." He mutters and turns his face away from me but I can still see the red blush tinting his ears and face.

"Maybe Jason is the one I have been looking for." I muse aloud. "He is the perfect gentleman, caring and has a sense of humour."

Seb groans loudly and lies his head on my lap. I subconsciously stroke his soft black hair. "Can't you stop mentioning his name when you're with me?"

I chuckle and pat his head, "You're so childish Seb. Don't worry, you will always be the first one in my heart."

He pouts, "Promise." He says, holding up his pinky finger to me. I laugh and shake my head.

"How old are you? You're almost thirty and still want me to pinky promise things." I wrap my pinky around his and press my thumb against his, "I've signed, copy and stamped too." I grin, rubbing my palm with his and then bending over pressing my forehead against his.

His eyes widen and so do mine when I realise how close we are. I can feel his minty breath on my face as he gazes at me with his light brown eyes. Our foreheads are still together and I immediately pull away once my brain comes back to its senses.

"Th-that was a promise." I mumble in embarrassment, turning my face away from him.

Suddenly, I feel his hands on both side of my cheeks and he turns my face back to him. Staring down at him, I can't read his expression as he slowly smiles and abruptly pinches my cheek.

I yell loudly in pain and glare at him. "What the hell? That hurts!"

Seb bursts into laughter, "Your expression was too funny. You look like a tomato."

Scowling at him, I pinch his cheek in revenge, "We're matching now." I grin when he shouts in pain.

"Well, a couple have to be matching right?" He smirks, wriggling his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes, "I really regret choosing you."

"I'll make sure you don't."

Turning my head, my nose bumps into his. When did he sit up? My face warms up.

"I-I'll take Miracle to the bedroom." I excuse quietly before picking the baby up and leaving the room.

Closing the door, I cover my face with both of my hands. Why is my heart beating as if I ran a marathon whilst being chased by a murderer?

What is the meaning of this unusual reaction to staring at Seb so close up? I have never felt like this before and we even used to share a bed when we slept over when we were younger. Why did I experience such confusing symptoms all of a sudden?