Page 39 of Heart Break Her

“I don’t know, but whatever we are is, well… awkward,” I say. “You’reyou,and I’ve got a life to get back to once this all blows over. If this is going to work, being friends seems like our only option.”

Sebastian gives me a tentative nod, but there seems to be much more working behind his eyes.

“Friends is possible, right? Even though we’ve seen each other… um… you know.”

“Naked.”

I nod. “I guess for you it’s probably nothing.”

“Which means what, exactly?” Sebastian’s grip tightens the slightest bit.

“Never mind.” I pause.

Someone take this shovel out of my hand before I continue digging this very large hole for myself.

“So you want to be friends then?” Sebastian asks.

I shrug. “You were friends with my brother. Seems only fitting.”

That gets me a hard, unreadable expression in return, before he finally nods. “Okay.”

“But that means you treat me like any other friend. No tossing me over your shoulder like a caveman every time I talk to some guy. You let me do my thing, and you can keep doing yours,” I force a smile because it feels almost impossible to believe those words, much less say them. And from the torn expression on Sebastian’s face, it’s almost like he feels it too.

“If that’s what you want,” Sebastian says.

I nod. “I do.”

“Okay, then. Friends.” Sebastian finally releases my ankle. “I can deal with that.”

The smirk that stretches his face has me questioning my decision. Because I’m sure he can deal with it. The problem is, can I?

12

Sebastian and Cassie

Sebastian:Hey

Cassie:Who is this?

Sebastian:Sebastian Kane

Cassie:Did you really just refer to yourself by your full name?

Sebastian:Says the girl always calling me by my full name

Cassie:Got me there

Cassie:How did you get this number?

Sebastian:Am I not supposed to have it? We’re “friends,” remember?

Cassie:Then why are there air quotes around it?

Sebastian:No reason

Sebastian:How’s bus life?

Cassie:Fine, boring. It’s nice hanging out with Merry and getting to know the other girls. What are you doing?

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