Page 14 of Little Do You Know

I grab my scalding coffee to take a long drink. It’s enough to jar me awake enough to continue with the conversation. It’s my second of the morning, and it’s only nine.

“I do. Madame Thomas’s pastries were the best. There’s nothing like them here. The mountains and scenery of France, the ocean in Spain, everything was simpler there.” It felt like home to me.

Landon fiddles with the sleeve of my T-shirt. “Why don’t we go to the beach today? It’s only an hour and a half drive. It won’t be Spain, but it’s still syllabus week. None of our classes are doing anything.”

I smile widely at the thought of a beach day, as do Vera and Stacey. “Do you mind if I bring my new friend? I think you’ll love her.”

I could use an afternoon of basking under the sun on the water. I already feel like I’m losing the tan I gained this summer from my adventures with Penelope.

“Is she fun?” Stacey asks, and I smile, nodding.

“I think so. She’s smart and funny,” I say, taking another long sip of my coffee. It won’t be my last of the day, but I’m also hoping some vitamin D will help. “I’m going to run home and grab my stuff. Pick me up in thirty?” I ask, standing up while shouldering my bag.

Landon gives me a warm smile. “Sure thing.”

I make a mental list of all the people coming, including Blake, if she agrees, although I’m sure I will be dragging her away from her textbooks again. Stacey will probably bring her boyfriend, Jeremy. Landon will probably bring Jake, one of his teammates. Then, it’s Vera and me. We should all be able to fit in Stacey’s car, since she has a third row in her car.It might be cramped, but I can deal with it if it means going to the beach.

I’m excited. I love the ocean more than anything. I can feel the energy rise in me, or maybe it’s the caffeine from my coffee finally hitting. Whatever it is, I’m glad not to feel like a zombie anymore. I’m positive I didn’t sleep more than two hours last night.

I paced around the apartment for a few hours, listening to my music and editing old photos most of the night like I usually do if I can’t sleep. A small part of me hoped that Bash would come back out. He didn’t, but a girl can dream.

Then his usual self appeared this morning. I didn’t even get so much as a hello. I text Blake quickly, telling her to pull her head out of a book and to get to my apartment within fifteen minutes wearing a swimsuit. Hopefully, she’ll listen. I need someone there who doesn’t just look at me and see the old me.

Thankfully, the apartment is empty when I get home. Bash and Owen must be in class, rendering Owen’s statement true. They are hardly here. There’s nothing that can be said about night time, though. Apparently, Sebastian keeps odd hours like me.

I’d just gotten a new swimsuit before I left Paris that I hadn’t gotten a chance to wear. It’s a mauve that makes me look tan. It reveals more cheek than I would typically show, but everything in Paris was about stepping outside your comfort zone. I’m a member of the itty bitty titty club, but the top hugs and holds my chest in place while making it look larger than it really is.

I stuff a disposable camera into my bag with a towel and take my higher-grade camera out to set it on the charger. There’s not a shot in hell that I’m taking the chance of getting sand in places where sand doesn’t belong. Cameras cost too much for that bullshit.

I haven’t checked my phone since I plugged it in when I got back, so I assume it’s Blake entering when the front door opens.

It’s just my luck to find Sebastian scowling at me when I turn around. “Are you fucking kidding me?” He swears harshly, all niceties from last night gone. Glad we’re back to this.

I roll my eyes, not bothering to dignify his response with one of my own.

“Thalia.”

“Quoi?” What?

His mouth flattens, and I revel in how his eyes comb over my body before resting on my face. This time, he doesn’t even try to hide it. Sebastian might be pissed, but he can’t hide the simmering lust in his gaze. I hate how my body reacts; it’s not getting the memo Sebastian is off limits. “Is this going to be a regular thing? Me walking out to you in practically nothing?”

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m going to the beach, and I’m wearing clothes, Bash. Dois tu continuer d’agir comme un connard?” I bite back, putting my hands on my hips. Are you going to continue acting like an asshole?

“Stop calling me an asshole.” Sebastian snaps, and it brings me immense joy to know that I get under his skin enough to where he would look it up.

“Make me.” It’s such a childish thing for me to say. I know it, and he knows it, but it seems like a perfectly reasonable thing to say.

Bash’s face darkens, and he sets his bag down on the couch. “What is your goal here?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

I smile innocently at him. “I’m going to the beach. What’s yours?”

He looks irritated now. I lean forward on the counter, almost in the same position he was in while I massaged him. His eyes shift to look at my chest, furthering my resolution that this was a great purchase. “Do you need another massage? You look a little tense.” Icroon, fully aware that I’m pushing his boundaries. I instantly regret it as his face hardens. Shit, I took it too far. He allowed me to see him when he was hurting, and I’m throwing it in his face.

Sebastian opens his mouth, but he’s cut off by the door’s opening, revealing Owen and Blake walking in together. “I hear we’re going to the beach?” Owen asks, and I nod excitedly.

“It won’t be the beach in Spain surrounded by delicious European men, but Landon suggested it.” I look to see Bash’s reaction, and I love how his jaw clenches. I am playing with fire right now, and it’s electrifying.

Blake whistles, taking note of my bikini. “Damn, girl. Your swimsuit makes mine look like a one-piece.”

---