Since she had already developed feelings for him, since he also wanted a serious relationship with her, and since they were destined to be together forever, she was willing to take the initiative and reveal her true feelings.

Her words made Seth stiffen, and then a wave of elation flooded through him.

He looked at her, sighing in delight. He whispered, "Clara," then swiftly captured her lips in a deep kiss.

When the kiss ended, Clara’s lovely face was even more flushed, and her large eyes appeared misty.

She rested against his chest, catching her breath, while Seth held her gently. His chin brushed against the soft crown of her head as he closed his eyes, calming the passion the kiss had stirred.

The two of them snuggled together, quietly enjoying this moment of tranquil bliss.

Almost at the same time, the same thought surfaced in both their hearts: ’To be just like this, until the end of time, would be a beautiful thing indeed.’

After a moment, Seth moved slightly. He planted another kiss on the top of her head and then pulled back a little, though his hands still held her gently.

Clara looked up, checked the time, and said with a shy smile, "Okay, you should get to work." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

"Okay," he said, but his hands were still unwilling to let her go. He held her for another moment before reluctantly letting go.

Clara reached out and smoothed his wrinkled collar. Seth looked at her and said softly, "Don’t get too tired while you’re out shopping. Buy some food if you’re hungry, and get a drink if you’re thirsty. Sit down and rest if you get tired. Make sure your phone isn’t on silent. You have to pick up whenever I call. And another thing, if I decide I want you to come to the company, you can’t say no."

Listening to his first few instructions, she was amused and wondered if he thought she was a child, but his concern also made her feel warm inside.

But his last words made Clara increasingly annoyed. She couldn’t even shop in peace. "In that case, I’m not going. I might as well just go to the office with you."

’She meant it. If I go shopping, I’ll constantly have to worry about him suddenly deciding to call me in. What if he calls me to the office right after I start? What if I’m right in the middle of having fun and his call comes? Wouldn’t that ruin the mood for Sarah, too?’

Seeing her pouting that she wasn’t going, Seth smiled. "Perfect. Then come to the office with me."

Clara was furious. She pounded a fist against his chest. "Seth Quinn, you’re going back on your word!"

Seeing that she was actually getting angry, Seth’s smile vanished. He took her small hand in his and coaxed her, "Alright, alright, I was just teasing. I won’t call you in, okay? But you still have to answer when I call."

"Deal," Clara agreed instantly. ’Once he gets to the office and gets busy, where is he going to find the time to keep calling me?’

Seth pulled a card from his bag and handed it to her. "This is the same card from last time. You didn’t take it then. Are you still going to refuse it?"

Clara’s lips curved into a smile as she snatched the card from his hand. "Who says I don’t want it? Just don’t you come crying to me when I spend too much."

She had refused it last time because their relationship hadn’t felt official enough. Now that she no longer had that worry, she wasn’t about to be coy and refuse it again.

Seth pinched her cheek. "Spend as much as you want."

"Alright, I’m off to the office." Seth bent down to pick up his car keys. He took two steps, then stopped and looked back at her. "You sure you don’t need a ride?"

"I’m fine. I’ll call Sarah later, she’ll come get me." Clara waved him off, then gave him a light push. "Now get going."