Kneeling for a Second Chance (Sebastian and Valeria) novel Chapter 123

The night wind lifted Valeria's long, dark hair.

Rory looked at her and offered to send them home, saying that the wind was strong tonight.

He opened the car door for Valeria and drove them to the entrance of her apartment complex. From the front passenger seat, Thalia suddenly asked, "Daddy, what are we having for dinner? I'm starving."

Valeria glanced across the street at a small ravioli shop.

She offered to treat Rory and Thalia to dinner as a thank-you.

When they pushed open the door and stepped inside, Valeria naturally gravitated toward her usual spot. She liked to sit by the window whenever she came here.

It was an old aluminum-framed window, the glass dull and hazy. A faded paper decal, once bright red, still clung to the corner. It was the old decor from last year's holiday season, its characters now sun-bleached and peeling.

Her favorite table was right there—Table 6. It was her lucky number. She always hoped that Selena's life ahead would be smooth sailing.

However, someone was already sitting there. It was a man.

His black hair was slicked back, though a few strands had fallen naturally across his forehead. His features were sharply defined. He sat turned slightly toward the window, the bridge of his nose high and elegant.

He wore a black turtleneck sweater, and a charcoal-gray coat of expensive material hung loosely over the back of the chair, clearly tossed there without much thought.

The sleeves of his sweater were pushed up slightly, revealing a wristwatch. It was uniquely designed yet understated.

He leaned back in his chair, slowly turning his gaze. His dark eyes scanned the man standing behind Valeria, then landed on her. Then, they went back to the man behind her.

He was assessing and observing him.

Valeria froze for a second, then instinctively averted her eyes.

However, Selena had spotted the man at the table. She tugged at Valeria's hand.

Beatrice, the shop owner, walked over. "It's the dinner rush. Every table's full. How about you join Mr. Grant at his table? I'll grab more chairs."

Beatrice, of course, knew Valeria and the sharply dressed man. They had come here together more than a few times before.

Without waiting for Valeria to respond, she brought over a chair.

Rory, along with his daughter, followed them over. Ever the gentleman, he let Valeria and Selena sit on the opposite side, and he took the seat next to Sebastian.

After all, it wouldn't be appropriate for a woman to sit beside a male stranger.

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