THE TWO OF THEM PEER ACROSS THE WAY , sitting at the same table inside shelf indulgence as they wait for mason to finish his shift . maybe they’re both eyeing him back there , all cute in his apron as he takes orders and makes drinks . maybe sebastian was showing off too many heart eyes in his stare . maybe he makes it obvious . hannah does come back with a kind statement , something soft as the evening descends upon the new york streets outside . AT LAST , sebastian tears his eyes from mason’s floppy hair and his smile and turns his gaze to mason’s best friend . HANNAH IS A GIFT , both to mason and , now , to sebastian — he’s grateful to call her a friend , too . she seems to approve of them . . . and that’s the best thing he could get from this . HER APPROVAL . ❝ he deserves everything , ❞ is what sebastian finally settles on saying , biting his bottom lip as his eyes duck downward . ❝ and he deserves . . . THE BEST VERSION OF ME , TOO . i need to be good . i want to be someone he loves for the rest of his life — he makes me want to be a better man . ❞ of course , right as he looks over at mason again , his boyfriend is turned his way . sebastian winks . mason blushes . ❝ i also deserve your scrutiny , you know . you were there for him through it all ; YOU KNOW WHAT’S BEST FOR HIM , and i trust your judgement and every call you make on that front , even over my own opinions . ❞ when he looks at hannah again , it’s clear sebastian has been moved by his and mason’s little eye lock across the room . he , too , is blushing . ❝ if you have to kick my arse , DO IT . if i’m doing something wrong , i hope i have the awareness to stop it , but if i don’t , kick my arse again . for his sake . ❞ he spots mason cleaning up the space behind the coffee bar , a clear sign his shift was over . ❝ i think you and i are united in a way . we both love him . we want him happy . we never want him to hurt a day in his life . and i swear to you , to him , to everything i hold dear — i will see it through . HE’S MY SOULMATE , HANNAH , ❞ he adds , the words quiet and reverential . ❝ — — i’ll forever keep him safe . that’s my promise to you . ❞