Page 89 of Little Do You Know

“Stop taking pictures; we have a long way to go,” Owen calls out.

Vera walks next to me on the wide trail. “Can you believe we’re finally juniors?” she asks, and I shake my head.

“I’m just glad I passed finals. I was worried I wouldn’t pass my math one; it’s not right to have letters with numbers. It’s summer, so we don’t have to worry about any tests for the next three months.” I grin, fist-pumping excitedly.

Sebastian has his arms crossed over his chest as we get closer to where the guys are standing waiting for us. “You’re technically not juniors for another three months.”

Owen laughs, shaking his head. “We’re also not technically twenty-one for another four years, but that doesn’t stop us from drinking, does it?”

“Only three for me after my birthday next month.” Bash smirks, clearly enjoying the one-month age difference he has on Owen. “Let’s go. We still have a long hike left,” he says, and Vera groans.

“Do we have to hike the entire way? It’s hot. We could just go to your house and swim in your grandparents’ pool. I wonder if your grandpa would make those burgers he made a few weeks ago,” she suggests, and I wish I’d thought of that instead of inviting everyone to hike.

In the last year, Sebastian went from awkward and skinny to tall and muscular. I’m not the only one who has noticed. It’s wishful thinking for him to notice me in return. Bash tolerates me because of Owen. Hell, he might even enjoy being my friend, but there’s not a chance in hell he’ll ever see me as more.

“We can go swimming after. We’re out here already, so suck it up.” Owen snorts, but I ignore him to run up behind Bash, jumping on his back to surprise him. His quick reactions balance us instead of sending us both to the ground. “Holy shit, Lia, what the hell are you thinking? We could have gone down the side of the hill and died.”

“You’re being dramatic,” I insist, rolling my eyes. “I’m nothing compared to what I’ve seen you bench-press.” Sebastian’s arms loop behind my knees to help support me instead of telling me to get down. It makes the butterflies in my chest go crazy.

“I’m confused as to why you are being carried instead of hiking the trail when it was your idea we come out here?” Vera points out, frowning at Bash and me.

“Pure laziness.” Owen scoffs, and he’s not wrong. I could walk on my own, but I don’t feel like it right now. Why would I when Sebastian is willing to carry me?

“You’re the one who said we still have a long way to go; I’m using the resources available to me.”

Bash shifts me slightly on his back, and I feel his laughter. “I would love it if someone would carry me instead. I already had weights this morning, and I wouldn’t have come if someone told me I’d be carrying you.”

“Consider it extra training for football season.” I pat his shoulder encouragingly.

~

A sudden breeze sends my curled hair flying in my face, yanking me from my thoughts of when I thought life was simpler. I wrap Penelope’s overcoat tighter around me. I didn’t have room to pack mine in the small suitcase I brought, but I knew whatever I didn’t have, I could borrow from Pen.

I should be happy and celebrating tonight. I’ve talked to more curators tonight than some photographers twice my age. Except I’m not happy. I can’t get Sebastian out of my head.

The Eiffel Tower glitters in the distance across the Seine from where I stand, pacing on the steps of the Grand Palais as I internally debate whether to call him.

I pull my phone out of my pocket, deciding to go for it. The phone rings and rings until Sebastian’s voice mail picks up. His familiar voice causes goose bumps to prickle over my skin for an entirely different reason than the cold. “Hey, it’s Sebastian Walker. Sorry, I missed your call. Leave a message, and I’ll get back to you.”

The line clicks, and I hesitate for a moment. “Hi,” I say softly, my words choosing this exact moment to fail me. The words get caught in my throat, and I lose track of my carefully planned speech. “Shit, you’re probably at practice. I’m sorry I haven’t called sooner. I didn’t know if you wanted to hear from me. God, what am I even saying? I just…I miss you. I’ll be back in a few days, and I hope we can talk. Um, so yeah…I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up, wondering if I said the right things. I guess it doesn’t really matter; I already left the message.

It’s not until I’m climbing into my old bed at Penelope’s apartment that I get a response from him that assuages some of the anxiety that’s been pooling in my stomach the last few days.

I miss you too.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Thalia

I GOT BACK late enough last night that I went straight to bed. The jet lag knocked me flat on my ass because I slept through when Sebastian and Owen left for morning workouts.

My cup of coffee is almost done when the front door unlocks, and the guys come shuffling in. Sebastian walks past to his room as Owen surprisingly pulls me into a hug, which isn’t the welcome back I thought I’d be receiving. I thought Owen would come out the gate yelling at me for not telling him I was leaving the country until it was already happening.

He ruffles my hair, smiling as he scans me to ensure I’m okay, before pointing to one of the bar stools. “Sit.” This is kind of scary. Owen is smiling, but the tone of his voice does not match it. Yeah, here comes the lecture I was expecting. I move sluggishly to the stool, realizing only as I sit that I left my coffee on the counter next to Owen. I could grab it, but I’m a little afraid of the lecture he’s about to give.

Instead, he leans against the counter, watching me carefully. This is weird. Owen is just staring at me, and I don’t want to stare back, but I don’t know where else to look.

Sebastian’s door opens, and he comes into the kitchen, giving me a questioning look as to why Owen and I are sitting here silently. “Sit,” Owen directs at Bash too.

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