Page 79 of Little Do You Know

“I don’t mind driving you home, but I’d prefer you’re able to walk in by yourself,” Eric teases with a smile. I know he means well, but that night was a disaster.

I plop down into my seat again as Eric takes his turn. “I haven’t had that much, I swear. It was a unique situation that night. Tonight, you can blame your girlfriend, who tricked me into photographing Sebastian during his big interview.”

Natalie pushes my shoulder, and I grab onto the table to avoid tilting off my chair. “You were the one that said you were free! He wasn’t going to do it if it wasn’t you!”

“And you should have told me before asking if I was free that it would revolve around Sebastian fucking Walker.” I groan dramatically, and Eric wraps an arm around Natalie’s shoulders.

“Oh, Lia. You’re being a bit dramatic. Bash isn’t all that bad; a little intense, but he’s a nice guy.”

I snort because it’s comical. He’s so nice.

I think I should get some water. It’d probably be in my best interest considering the last few times I’ve been drunk, I’ve had a rough time the next day. I prefer to avoid that if I can.

“If he were such a nice guy, I wouldn’t have broken up with him,” I snap bitterly, and Natalie’s jaw drops. I try to backtrack, but I’ve already said it. “Shit, I don’t think I was supposed to say that.”

“Holy shit! You and Sebastian? But I thought he and Vera…” Her eyes widen as she puts it together. “He’s why you aren’t talking to Vera?”

Eric also looks surprised. “Wait, this makes so much more sense about what happened at your party.”

I rub my face, regretting that last shot because it’s definitely to blame for my loose lips. “Guys, I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

Natalie smiles sympathetically, shooting a glance at Eric. “We won’t say anything. I’m sorry, I wouldn’t have even suggested the interview if I’d known you were together.”

“It is what it is. Never again, though,” I say, and she smiles. “If that ride is still on the table, I might be tapping out. I’m exhausted.”

“You look exhausted,” Eric says, agreeing, and I glare at him while Natalie elbows him.

“Eric!”

He looks baffled. “What did I say?”

Men suck; they are so freaking clueless.

Unlike the last time Eric drove me home, I’m walking in on my own this time, even if it isn’t the most graceful I’ve been. Owen’s truck is still gone, but Sebastian’s is here. If he still isn’t back, things must be going well with Blake today. They’re doing their best to try to figure it all out. Good for them. I hope they figure it out soon.

The apartment is dark, and I drop my purse on the counter before going to the bathroom. After splashing my face with water, I stumble down the hallway. Right before I open the door to my room, I make a split decision and open the door to Sebastian’s.

He’s lying in bed, scrolling through something on his phone. “Thalia?” He pushes himself up onto his elbows in surprise.

Here’s your chance to leave, Lia. Except I don’t think I want to. I kick my shoes off and climb into the bed. “I don’t care about you.”

“Okay.” It’s all he says, and a tear slips down my cheek as I look at him. It’s not fair that I feel like this. I know I’m doing it to myself by trying to resist him, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

“You’re terrible, and I want to hate you,” I say honestly, and Bash wipes my cheek gently.

“I know.”

I curl into Sebastian’s side, and his arms wrap around me immediately. I rest my head on his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall as he breathes. Bash presses a soft kiss to the top of my head, and I let my eyes fall shut, inhaling the intoxicating smell of cedar that belongs to him.

The next time I open them, I’m alone in his bed. I sit up, seeing Sebastian getting ready for morning weights in the dark. Did I sleep all night? That’s the first time it’s happened in weeks. His eyes meet mine in the dim light, and he smiles sadly at me. “Good morning,” he says gruffly, observing me.

“Good morning,” I respond politely because it’s the least I can do after climbing into his bed last night. I don’t care about Sebastian Walker and want to hate him so badly.

I just don’t know if I can.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Thalia

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