The ride back to Chloe's apartment was quiet.
Not uncomfortable quiet—just calm.
The kind of quiet that comes after a long day finally settles.
City lights passed in soft streaks through the car windows as Sebastian drove.
The streets were less crowded now, the night air cool and steady.
Lillian sat in the passenger seat, hands folded in her lap, her mind replaying the evening over and over again.
The dinner.
The attention.
The way Sebastian had looked at her across the candlelit table.
She smiled faintly without realizing it.
Sebastian noticed.
"You're smiling," he said casually, eyes still on the road.
Lillian blinked, turning toward him.
"Am I?"
"Yes."
"Maybe I'm just… relieved," she said.
"Relieved?"
"That it went well."
Sebastian gave a small, amused exhale.
"You were worried it wouldn't?"
"A little," she admitted.
"There were cameras outside, Sebastian."
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully.
"You act like that's normal."
"For me, it is."
She shook her head slightly.
"I'm still getting used to it."
He glanced at her briefly.
"You handled it better than most people would."
"That's because I had you there."
"That's exactly my point."
Lillian looked down at her hands again, trying to hide the small warmth spreading through her chest.
The car slowed as they reached Chloe's apartment building.
Sebastian parked smoothly along the curb and turned off the engine.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
"Well," Lillian said softly, reaching for the door handle.
"Thank you for dinner."
Sebastian turned slightly in his seat.
"You're welcome."
She stepped out of the car, the cool night air brushing against her cheeks.
Sebastian came around the car to walk her to the entrance.
The streetlights cast a soft glow over the sidewalk.
Lillian stopped near the apartment door and turned toward him.
"I had a really nice time tonight," she said quietly.
"So did I."
She hesitated, suddenly feeling shy.
"Goodnight, Sebastian."
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he stepped a little closer.
Lillian's breath caught slightly.
His hand gently brushed against her arm as he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
It wasn't rushed.
Just warm.
Gentle.
Intentional.
Lillian froze for half a second before her cheeks turned bright pink.
When he pulled back, she blinked up at him in surprise.
"S-Sebastian…"
He smirked slightly.
"Relax, Lillian."
Her face was still warm.
"I am relaxed."
"You're blushing."
"I am not."
"You are."
She covered her face briefly with one hand.
"You're impossible."
"Usually."
He stepped back slightly, his expression softening.
"Goodnight, Lillian."
"Goodnight," she murmured.
He gave her one last look before turning and heading back down to his car.
Lillian watched him drive away for a moment before finally opening the apartment door.
She stepped inside and closed it behind her.
Then she turned around.
And nearly jumped.
Chloe was standing in the middle of the living room with her arms crossed.
Staring.
Grinning.
"Oh my God," Chloe said.
Lillian groaned immediately.
"No."
"Oh my God," Chloe repeated louder.
"You saw that, didn't you?"
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
"Saw what?"
"The kiss."
"Oh. That kiss."
Lillian buried her face in her hands.
"Why were you watching from the window?"
"I live here," Chloe said proudly.
"That doesn't mean you have to spy on me!"
Chloe walked closer, clearly delighted.
"Lillian Parker just got kissed goodnight by billionaire CEO Sebastian Wolfe."
"It wasn't like that."
"Oh really?"
"It was just a goodbye kiss."
Chloe gasped dramatically.
"Just a goodbye kiss? On the lips?"
Lillian's face turned even redder.
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"Absolutely," Chloe said.
She plopped down onto the couch.
"So," Chloe continued, leaning forward, "tell me everything."
"There's nothing to tell."
"Lillian."
"Chloe."
"What happened at dinner?"
Lillian sighed, giving up.
"It was nice."
"That's it?"
"It was really nice."
Chloe waited.
Lillian eventually smiled.
"We talked. The food was good. And… it felt normal."
"Normal?"
"Yeah," she said softly.
"Even with the attention and everything."
Chloe nodded thoughtfully.
"That's actually really sweet."
Lillian sat down across from her.
"And he kept making sure I was okay," she added quietly.
Chloe smirked.
"Of course he did. He's clearly obsessed with you."
"He is not."
"Oh please."
Before Lillian could respond, her phone suddenly rang.
She looked down at the screen.
Her stomach dropped slightly.
"Mom & Dad."
Chloe's eyes widened.
"Answer it."
Lillian took a deep breath and picked up the call.
"Hello?"
Her mother's voice came through immediately.
"Lillian Parker."
Uh oh.
"Yes, Mom?"
"Would you like to explain the article your father just showed me?"
Lillian froze.
Chloe slowly sat up straighter.
"Oh…"
So they saw it.
Her heart started beating faster.
"It's… about Sebastian," Lillian admitted.
"Yes, I gathered that," her mother replied.
A pause followed.
Then her mother asked calmly,
"Are you dating him?"
Lillian closed her eyes briefly.
"Yes."
Another pause.
Lillian braced herself for the lecture she was expecting.
Instead—
"Well," her mother said thoughtfully, "when are you bringing him home so we can meet him?"
Lillian's eyes snapped open.
"What?"
Chloe's mouth dropped open silently across the room.
"You heard me," her mother said.
"Your father and I would love to meet him."
"I thought you'd be upset."
"Why would we be upset?"
"Well… he's my boss."
Her mother laughed softly.
"Lillian, you're an adult."
"I know but—."
"And from what this article says," her mother continued, "he seems quite successful."
Chloe was now covering her mouth to keep from laughing.
"Well… yes," Lillian admitted.
"So when are we meeting him?"
Lillian rubbed her forehead.
"Mom, he's extremely busy. He runs an entire company."
Her mother hummed thoughtfully.
"Maybe if you ask him nicely, he'll make time for you."
Lillian's face turned pink again.
"Mom!"
"I'm just saying."
Chloe burst into quiet laughter.
"Tell your friend to stop laughing," her mother added knowingly.
Lillian stared at Chloe.
"How do you know she's laughing?"
"Because if I were her, I would be."
Lillian couldn't help smiling.
The conversation continued for a few more minutes, her parents asking questions about Dallas, about Sebastian, and about the article.
Eventually her mother sighed.
"Well, we're just glad you're happy."
"I am," Lillian said softly.
"Good. That's all we wanted to hear."
After another moment, the call ended.
Lillian lowered the phone slowly.
Chloe immediately leaned forward.
"So."
"So."
"Your parents want to meet Sebastian Wolfe."
Lillian groaned, falling back against the couch.
"I cannot believe that just happened."
Chloe laughed.
"At least they didn't freak out."
"That's true."
"And honestly?" Chloe added.
"What?"
"I think they're impressed."
Lillian covered her face again.
"This is my life now."
Chloe grinned.
"You're dating a billionaire CEO. Your life was never going to stay normal."
Lillian laughed softly.
And for once… she didn't mind.