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Twenty

"You're doing what?" Sebastian asks from the bathroom connected to our bedroom.

"I'm going to the gym with Kayla. She wants to show me a few moves in case I ever end up needing to be able to protect myself....again." I say trailing off at the end. Kayla had asked if I was interested in learning some simple self defense moves after I told her what had happened a few months ago.

"I'm all for you being able to protect yourself," Sebastian says as he walks out of the bathroom, "as long as you aren't going to use it to kick my ass."

"Don't give me a reason to kick your ass." I reply, laughing at him a little.

"No promises." He winks at me and I swear I stopped breathing.

We had spent the past two days waiting to hear back from his audition and I think I'm more nervous about it than he is.

Aurelia had not stopped talking about Jayla, either. Apparently, we have two new best friends on our hands. Now, she wants to have a playdate with Jayla and Carlie so that her two "bestest friends in the whole world" could meet each other.

I am looking forward to the girls night planned for next week when Tara is in town again.

Until then, it is business as usual. Or at least, a shirtless Sebastian Stan walking around the apartment in grey sweats playing dolls with Aurelia. Ah, living my best life.

"What are you two playing?" I ask, leaning against the doorframe to Aurelia's room.

"We are playing house." Aurelia says in a very matter of fact tone.

"Oh, really?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes. I am the mom, this is my baby and daddy is the family dog." I snorted a bit as I began to laugh.

"What? I thought I was the grandpa!" Sebastian protests.

"No, you're the old stinky dog." Aurelia laughs evilly.

"I'll show you an old stinky dog." Sebastian laughs as he begins chasing Aurelia around the room. I laugh with them as Sebastian tackles her and begins tickling her.

"Just try not to break anything please." I smile as I walk back towards the counter where my laptop was sitting.

I open it and open up my email. I hadn't heard back from any of the schools I had applied to and I was starting to get concerned. I knew it would take some time for all the information to be mailed to New York from Tennessee, but I was hoping to hear something by now. I sigh and close my computer, resting my chin in my hand.

Hands appear on either side of me, resting on the counter and I feel warmth behind me.

Sebastian moves my hair to the side before planting a kiss on my neck.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He asks.

"I still haven't heard from any of the schools I applied to." I sigh.

"You'll get in. You are too good not to." Sebastian says beside my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. I turn to face him and lean into his chest.

"What if I don't? I cannot think of anything else I would want to do." I tell him.

"It will all work out. It has this far, hasn't it?" I nod my head in agreement.

Later that afternoon, there is a knock on our door.

"Did you invite anyone?" I ask, confused. Sebastian only shakes his head 'no' as I walk toward the door.

"NO WAY!" I squeal excitedly as I look through the peep hole and quickly open the door.