An Unwelcome Call and a Fluttering Heart

Hazel's POV

I stared at Sebastian's name on my phone screen, suddenly nervous about answering. Taking a deep breath, I swiped to accept the call.

"Hello?" My voice came out softer than intended.

"Ms. Shaw," Sebastian's deep voice had a gentle quality that took me by surprise. "I apologize for sending the car without asking first. I hope it wasn't an inconvenience."

"Not at all," I replied quickly. "Though I'm perfectly capable of getting home on my own."

"I'm well aware of your capabilities." There was a smile in his voice. "Consider it a courtesy, nothing more."

A small part of me wondered if there was more to his kindness, but I pushed the thought away. "Thank you," I said simply. "But you still haven't told me why you called earlier."

There was a brief pause. "I wanted to check if you'd recovered from our dinner the other night. I realize the conversation became rather... intense."

The memory of his hand over mine flickered through my mind. "I'm fine."