Page 38 of Closer

“I think she can speak for herself.” Elliot winks at me, and heat creeps up my cheeks.

“She’s with me.” Sebastian’s hand finds the small of my back.

“I didn’t realize you were together,” Elliot says.

“We are,” Sebastian says.

Why do I feel a traitorous spark of hope at his words?

“Really?” Elliot asks. “What about Serena?”

Sebastian stiffens, his hand falling away from me. “What about her?”

“Aren’t you two together?”

“We’re friends.”

“Could’ve fooled me, the way she’s all over you,” Elliot says.

I don’t want to hear this. I don’t want to think about Sebastian with someone else.

“Serena and I have an arrangement.” Sebastian’s voice is tight, controlled. “It’s none of your business.”

“An arrangement? Well, well. Isn’t that interesting? I have to go.” His voice drops to a whisper, taking the plate from my hands. “Proof enough?”

I glance at Sebastian, his jaw tight, eyes stormy.

“Nice talking with you. Enjoy the rest of your night.” Elliot disappears back inside.

I straighten, steeling myself before I turn to face Sebastian. His eyes are already on me, intense and unreadable.

I try to keep my voice steady. “What was that about?”

“Nothing.” He shrugs. “Didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

“And how was he looking at me?”

“Like he wants you.”

My pulse quickens. Damn him for still having this effect on me. “And why do you care?”

“I don’t.” His jaw tightens. “But you’re not his to look at like that.”

“I’m not yours either.”

Something flashes in his eyes, dark and possessive, as if he can make it truth through sheer will alone. “Aren’t you?”

“No. Not anymore.” I chew on my lip. There are so many things I want to say to him and so many questions swirling in my mind.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I know we’re not—I…” He trails off with a frustrated sound.

“You?” My voice is barely a whisper. “What do you want from me?”

“The truth.”

“The truth is, you destroyed us.”

“There never was an us.”

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