Sesshoumaru waited for Kagome outside the restaurant, both to avoid Byakuya's overzealous reaction and stop himself from beating him with a ladle. The pastry chef refused to remain quiet, and Sesshoumaru had quickly lost patience.
Especially since he'd been right.
Sesshoumaru rubbed the back of his neck; at least his embarrassment would keep him warm, the heat in his face melting any snowflakes that got too close.
He had to remain calm. Kagome was too intuitive not to recognize changes in his behaviour, though he'd been truthful when he'd said he didn't need help deciphering her excitement.
Byakuya wasn't the only one who received texts during his shift.
Her communications were usually more emoji than words, but the message was clear: she was looking forward to the break, but more so because it was with him. And travelling meant he'd be able to tear her away from her studies.
Her goal was in sight, with only one more semester to go, but Sesshoumaru didn't want his proposal to play second fiddle to her graduation. Both were momentous occasions.
As long as she said yes.
It was a far cry from their first meeting, and as chagrined as he was about it, he would have to offer up his gratitude to her sister for throwing so many parties in the first place.
He would willingly accept all those sleepless nights, doubling them even, if it put him on her doorstep that fateful night.
A/N: Only one more chapter to go!