Sweet Cravings

Chapter Nine – Sun, Sand and Goodbyes

Bri

Sky bolted toward the shoreline, squealing as the surf kissed her toes. Bri chased after her, heart light, the salty breeze curling through her hair. For the first time in years, she felt free—untethered, like the tide had washed something clean inside her.

Sebastian was waiting near the water, jeans rolled to his calves, his boys flanking him like miniature lifeguards. God he was sexy! His eyes crinkling as he laughed at something Zack said. The sight hit Bri like a wave—unexpected, sharp, and warm.

“Hey,” he called, lifting a hand.

“Hey,” she managed, hoping her voice didn’t sound as breathless as she felt.

Gem made some sarcastic comment and Seb threw her over his shoulder like she was a ragdoll, watching her friend be so care free and comfortable with a practical stranger made her heart flutter, but it also made her think that she was not going crazy, Seb was someone special.

The afternoon unfolded like a dream. They built sandcastles—Sebastian and the boys constructing a fortress while Sky added seashell “jewels.” Bri knelt beside them, her fingers brushing Sebastian’s as they smoothed the walls. The touch was brief, accidental—but it sent a spark racing up her arm.

“Your princess demands a moat,” Sebastian said solemnly, handing Sky a plastic shovel.

Sky giggled, curls bouncing as she dug with fierce determination. Bri laughed, the sound mingling with Sebastian’s low chuckle—and for a moment, it felt like they were a family. The thought stole her breath.

Later, they sprawled on towels under a striped umbrella, the kids devouring popsicles, Gem scrolling on her phone with exaggerated boredom. Sebastian stretched out beside Bri, his arm brushing hers, his voice low.

“Thank you,” he said softly.

She turned, startled. “For what?”

“For today,” he murmured, eyes steady on hers. “For… letting us be part of it.”

Her throat tightened. “You don’t have to thank me.”

His smile was slow, curling at the edges. “Maybe I do, the boys have never had this before....and neither have I, there mother has never really been into the whole family day out.”

She sighed, very curiouse about the woman that let him go, “how long were you together?...Sorry, it’s none of my business.”

He gripped her hand, “Bella is the daughter of a business associate, I was just starting out, and her father was a mentor of a kind.”

He stared out into the distance, seemingly far away, “Bella was..is beautiful, and everything I thought I wanted...needed. She had spent her life attending business dinners, knew all the big players....I confused love for affection and the fact that she could open doors that had been closed to me before...not that I knew that them.”

He gave me a lopsided grin, and I could see the sadness behind the smile, so I reached out and took his hand, stroking the back with my thumb. He took a shuddering breath.

“She never hid the fact that she didn’t want children, but after we got married, I thought she just needed time, but then she got pregnant....she didn’t tell me, I found out because my best friends wife saw her at the clinic....”

Tears pooled in his eyes, “she was going to get an abortion, not even tell me we were going to be parents, not giving me a say.”

I gasped, hugging his hand to my chest, how could she make that decision on her own? Bri almost didn’t want to hear any more. “don’t paint me as the victim here Bri, when I found out I got her father involved, we forced her to have the boys, and to be honest, we ended then, everything after was just for show. I finally called it quites about a year ago, our divorce was finalised six months ago.”

As the sun dipped low, painting the sky in shades of rose and gold, the kids raced along the shoreline, their laughter ringing like bells. Bri watched them, her chest aching with the thought of those boys not being in the world.

“There is no blaime here Seb, not really, and the thought of those perfect boys not being in the world, it makes my heart go cold, mistakes were made on both parts.”

Sebastian’s hand brushed her cheek, looking deep into her eyes.

“I don’t want to go home,” Bri whispered, her voice trembling like the tide. The words slipped out before she could stop them, raw and aching.

Sebastian stared down at her, his eyes dark with something unspoken. “I don’t want you to go either,” he said softly.

The wind lifted her hair, tangling it across her cheek. He reached out, tucking it gently behind her ear, his fingers lingering just long enough to make her pulse stutter.

Then, with a lopsided grin that didn’t quite hide the ache in his voice: “But I don’t think you’re ready for me yet.”

She sighed, the truth heavy in her chest. “I know. Timing isn’t right. ” Her throat tightened. “But I didn’t think I’d ever feel like this again. We’ve only known each other for a few days—this is ridiculous.”

He smirked, eyes glinting. “Sometimes a few days is all you need.”

Her laugh was shaky, breaking on a breath. She looked up at him, eyes shimmering like the sea. “Will you wait? Just a little while?”

His fingers threaded through hers, warm and steady. “I’ll wait as long as you need me to,” he murmured. “But I want us to keep in touch—calls, video chats with the kids. Would that be okay?”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “That would be more than okay.”

The next morning, the air was heavy with the scent of salt and goodbyes. The sky was a pale wash of blue, the kind that promised a perfect day—but for Bri, it felt muted, like someone had turned the colour down. Her suitcase sat by the door, a silent reminder that this was real. Today, they were leaving.

Sebastian and the boys came to see them off, their laughter replaced by sniffles and clinging arms. Sky, Zack, and Alex hugged each other like they couldn’t breathe without one another, their little fingers clutching tight as if sheer will could keep them together.

Gem stood by the car, sunglasses hiding her eyes, but Bri saw the way her jaw tightened. She was hurting too, though she’d never admit it.

Sebastian smirked, pointing at Gem with mock sternness. “Come give me some love, girl.”

Gem grinned and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Take care of yourself, Seb. And those boys.” She reached up, kissed his cheek, then whispered so softly Bri almost didn’t hear: “Just give her time. She’s come alive here. Going back home will make her see—it’s time for a change.”

Sebastian nodded, throat tight. “If you ever want that salon, Gem, do it. And if you need anything—call me.”

Then he turned to Sky. His voice gentled, warm as summer. “Hey, Princess. I’m going to miss you.”

Her bottom lip trembled as she threw her arms around his neck. “Sky miss you too, Sebby. So much.”

He hugged her tight, breathing in the scent of sunscreen and salt, then lifted her into the car. When he turned, Bri was there—crushed in his sons’ arms. Zack’s voice cracked as he whispered, “Don’t go.” Alex clung to her like he’d never let go.

When they finally did, Sebastian opened his own arms, and Bri almost ran into them.

“Call me when you get home?” he whispered against her hair.

She nodded, whispering, “I don’t want to go,” her tears dampening his shirt. He buried his face in her curls, breathing her in like he could memorize the scent. “God, Bri,” he murmured, voice breaking. “I want to kiss you so bad. But if I do… I’ll never let you go.”

Her arms tightened around him, then slowly loosened. She pulled back, eyes shimmering like the sea. “Goodbye, Bastian.”

The word sliced through him like glass.

Sebastian

He stood rooted as the car door closed, his boy's silent at his side. They watched until the taillights disappeared down the winding road—until there was nothing left but the sound of waves and the ache of what could have been.

Sebastian swallowed hard, the taste of salt sharp on his tongue. He wanted to run after her, to tell her that timing didn’t matter, that he’d fight for her, for them—but he didn’t. He couldn’t. Not yet.

Instead, he slipped an arm around each boy, pulling them close as the wind whipped off the sea. “Come on,” he said softly, his voice rough. “Let’s go home.”

But as they walked away, one thought burned bright and steady in his chest:

I’ll wait as long as it takes