CHAPTER TWENTY

HAYDEN

Lydia finally walked out of the bathroom at 7:45 p.m. Her blonde hair was pinned up into a bun positioned in the back of her head. Her make-up was flawless. I wanted to attack those cherry red lips.

“Lydia, come here. I will zip up the back of your dress.”

She stood before me in the mirror.

“I have something for you.” I retrieved the red box off the nightstand. Three silver charm bracelets encrusted in diamonds rested inside. I purchased them from private jewelry designer Charmed Cutie.

“They are beautiful. I can’t accept them.” I slid the bracelets on her wrist, while she protested.

I turned her around in my arms, snapping a picture of us. She’s right we do look beautiful together.

 

Spencer greeted us at the front entrance of the building. “Mr. Gaster you look dapper. Ms. Carmichael you look like royalty. You are beautiful.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Spencer. Can you take a picture of Hayden and I?”

“Yes.”

She passed him her cell. He snapped a few pictures of us.

“Goodnight, Spencer.”

“Enjoy your night.”

We strolled outside, Valen held the Bentley door open for us.

“Good evening, Ms. Carmichael you are especially beautiful tonight,” he smiled.

“Valen, watch it,” I hissed.

“I’m sorry sir. You look beautiful too.” We all laughed. I shook my head.

~

Sebastian sat in a wide u-shaped booth. He was having a conversation on Face time when Lydia and I approached. “Hold on baby.”

“Seb…”

Lydia interrupted me. “Sebastian Johansen, my name is Lydia Carmichael,” she shook his hand continuously.

“I am a big fan of your work. My major is computer science.”

“Baby, let his hand go and have a seat.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Lydia slid into the booth between us.

“Eric, you’re late.”

“Sorry, I decided to indulge in dessert first before dinner,” I winked at Lydia.

Lydia blushed.

We both laughed. “Hayden, you dirty dog!”

Sebastian returned his attention to his phone. “Baby, no one is embarrassing anyone. Alright fine, I’m removing the headphones.”

Sebastian turned the phone towards me. “Hello, Sydney!”

“Hayden, why are you two laughing about that?”

“Sydney, alright I shouldn’t have done that.”

Her face relaxed. “Introduce me to her.”

I placed the phone in Lydia’s hands. “Hello.”

“Hello, Lydia. My name is Sydney Johansen, I’m Sebastian’s wife. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there. I’m home in L.A. with our newborn.”

“It’s very nice to meet you and congratulations on your new bundle of joy!”

“Thank you. How far along are you in the computer science program?”

“In a couple of months, I will graduate with my Bachelor’s degree.”

“You should interview at our company, S.J. Software. Either location, Atlanta or L.A.”

Lydia’s hand flew over her mouth. “That would be amazing! A real dream come true. Thank you, Mrs. Johansen.”

“Call me Sydney. You are welcome. Oh, and boys will be boys. My husband also prefers dessert before dinner,” she grinned.

“I think it’s better that way,” Lydia smiled.

They both laughed.

“The next time we have a party Hayden has to bring you. To, bad you missed our Christmas party. I’m from Atlanta, so is my cousin Samantha Latters. My husband’s business partner Jeff’s girlfriend Sierra is also from Atlanta. Zoey is from South Carolina, still a southern belle! We had a wonderful time.”

“My cousin’s name is Sierra. Sierra Simmons, but her last name changed to Crawford.”

“No way, that’s her! Small world. She was here with us. It’s settled. Samantha and I are going to throw a party this summer and you have to be here!”

“I would be honored! It was nice meeting you Sydney.”

“Likewise.”

Lydia passed the phone back to Sebastian.

He connected his wireless earbuds to the phone again to finish his conversation. “Baby, I will be home in the morning. Hayden and I have some business to attend to before I leave. I miss you to. The second I walk through the door you know what to do.” His smile was wide.

Lydia and I both stared at him. He disconnected his call, glancing up at us. “What I miss my wife.”

Lydia and I smiled.

Ben greeted us. Sebastian stood giving him a hug.

“Lydia, Ben is my best friend and owner of this beautiful restaurant. The food is great!”

Lydia and Ben shook hands.

“Hey Ben,” I stated.

“Hayden, it’s always good to see you!”

Ben waved a waitress over.

“Hayden let me sit next to Lydia for a sec. He scooted next to her. I sat at the end of the booth.

He placed a menu in her hand.

“Tell me what’s your favorite Italian dish? If it isn’t on the menu I can make it.”

“I love lasagna, but I would like to try something different. How about the veal parmesan?”

“Great choice.” Ben told the waitress our orders.

Since I live down the street from Atlas, I have lunch here about three times a month.

“I better get back to the kitchen, I’ll be back.”

We each drank a glass of red wine.

“Lydia, are you working on a special software?” Sebastian asked.

“I am. It’s taking me longer to develop. My laptop doesn’t have enough speed to accommodate my software design.” Her eyes shot over to me. “That isn’t code for Hayden buy me a computer.”

“Hayden, let me.” Sebastian smiled at Lydia.

“Lydia, it’s in Hayden’s nature to take care of you. There is no way that a man should be ok with his woman struggling financially and he has enough money to burn. Let him buy you the new lap and desktop. I will tell him everything you need, so you won’t ever have design issues again.”

“Thank you, Mr. Johansen.”

“Call me Sebastian please. If you chose to come to work for me I live in L.A. full time. Training under me means you would have to move to L.A.”

I wanted to kill Sebastian. I haven’t told Lydia about California yet.

“You can also choose to train under one of my best software techs here in Atlanta. No rush to make a decision.”

“Thank you, Sebastian.”