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I sit back on my heels. She’s drunk and lashing out. Rising to the bait won’t help either of us. “Let’s focus on getting you sobered up a bit, okay?”

“Why? So you can gloat about what a mess I am compared to perfect little you?” Blake’s glare is venomous, even in her intoxicated state.

“That’s not what this is about. I’m trying to make sure you’re safe.”

“Safe?” She laughs a bitter, broken sound. “Since when does anybody care about my safety? You’d love it if I just disappeared. Then you could have Bash all to yourself.”

Her words hit a little too close to home. I’d be lying if I said the thought hadn’t crossed my mind before—how much simpler things would be without Blake in the picture, constantly trying to wedge herself between Sebastian and me. But hearing her say it out loud makes me feel ashamed for even entertaining the notion.

“That’s not true.” I wet another paper towel and hand it to her. “Whatever is or isn’t going on with Sebastian and me… it has nothing to do with you. I don’t want you to get hurt. No one deserves that.”

Blake’s eyes, though hazy, lock onto mine with surprising intensity. “He really loves you, you know.”

I blink, taken aback. “What?”

“Bash. He’s in love with you. It’s so obvious.”

My heart stutters. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Please. Anyone with eyes can see it. The way he looks at you… like he would burn down the world for you.” She supports her head with her right hand, wincing at the movement. “I’d kill for someone to look at me like that.”

I fidget with the damp paper towel in my hands. I should insist that Sebastian and I are just friends. But I don’t want to. Is that wrong of me?

“You’re not so bad,” I say instead. “I’m sure there’s someone out there for you.”

“Yeah, right. Who’d want a bitch like me?” Her voice cracks on the last word, and she swipes angrily at her eyes. “You heard the guys.”

“Hey.” I reach out, tentatively resting a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t talk about yourself like that.”

“I’m sorry, you know. For the thing with Mike. And for constantly throwing myself at Sebastian.” She hiccups, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “I thought that maybe he would look at me like that.”

My chest tightens with a mix of sympathy and guilt. I’ve been so quick to judge Blake, to write her off as nothing more than a spiteful ex.

“It’s fine. Mike and I weren’t really together, and Sebastian. It kind of gave me the courage to do things I wouldn’t have done.” I give her shoulder a gentle squeeze.

She nods, sniffling. “God, are you nice. You should hate me.”

“I won’t.”

“Don’t let him go. Bash. He’s one of the good ones.”

“He is.”

She stares at me for a long moment, her eyes searching mine. For a second, I think there is a flicker of vulnerability, a crack in her usual hard exterior.

But then she looks away, pressing the cool cloth to her forehead. “Whatever.”

I sigh. “Stay here and rest for a bit, okay? I’ll go get you some water.”

I stand to leave, and the bathroom door swings open. Sebastian steps inside, his eyes widening as he takes in the scene before him—me hovering over a disheveled Blake.

“What’s going on here?” He looks from her to me, his expression unreadable.

I open my mouth to explain, but Blake beats me to it.

“Lilian was just playing the hero.” She struggles to her feet, swaying slightly. “Aren’t you so lucky to have such a perfect little girlfriend, Bash?”

Sebastian’s jaw clenches, reaching out to steady Blake. “Come on, I’ll get you to Naomi.”

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