Page 26 of In the Net
But when he looks at me, every movement of his body and every line on his face broadcasts the fact that he’s not acting the same at all. “Not bad,” he answers curtly.
He immediately pulls his eyes away from me, using looking for his baggage as an excuse. I glance over my shoulder and find Sebastian. My face screws up in annoyance at him, because I know, somehow, he’s behind this.
Clement steps forward to grab his suitcase from the carousel.
It’s possible for people from different cultures to misread nonverbal cues, right? Maybe all this is in my head. I mean, it’s almost two in the morning back home, and I woke up early, so I’m kind of sleep-deprived. Maybe Clement’s apparent lack of interest is all in my head.
I guess I have nothing to lose by making sure.
“So, how about showing me that bar tonight like you were talking about?” I ask.
His lips flatten, his expression hesitant.
“I, um, may have a lot to do today. To catch up with work after my trip.” He pauses for an awkward beat. “I’ll text you and let you know.”
With that, he turns around and walks quickly to the exit. As he does so, I’m sure he realizes just as much as I do that we never exchanged numbers.
I turn to Sebastian, who’s grabbing his own suitcase and yanking it off the moving belt.
My brow lowers and my lips go thin as I march over, gaze boring into him.
“What did you do?” I demand as he turns around, coming to a halt when he sees me in front of him.
A glimmer of guilt flashes in his eye. “What are you talking about?”
He’s usually good at bullshitting, but this time, his body language gives him away. He knows he’s been caught out.
“What did you say to Clement?” I ask, folding my arms.
His eyelids narrow. “It was a seven-hour flight. We said a lot of things.”
My own narrow to meet his. “What did you say aboutme?”
Some of his usual obnoxiousness peeks through as one side of his mouth hitches. “What makes you think I bringyouup in any conversation I have? You’re the one with the obsession, not me.”
Back in Cedar Shade, I might try to summon something witty to say in response. But here in Paris, tired after a long flight and having just been ruthlessly swerved by a guy I was excited to spend more time with, I don’t find anything amusing about the boy responsible for it.
Through my peripheral vision, I notice my bag gliding by on the conveyor belt. With a huff, I turn away from Sebastian and pull it off.
“I don’t knowwhyyou’re already trying to ruin my trip,” I say to Sebastian without even looking at him, frustration boiling over. “But I’d really appreciate it if, for the rest of it, you just stay out of my business and not try to screw up anything else for me.”
I give him one more glance before I turn and head to the train that will take me into the city. I’m surprised to find a look of guilt—maybe even remorse—crack through on Sebastian’s face.
Normally I’m able to keep my composure when we spar with each other, but this time, I could feel my words coming out sharp and hot.
His lips part, but I don’t give him the chance to get any words through them. I turn my back to him and stride to the train, buying a ticket and taking my seat in one of the cars. When I’m seated, a heavy sigh of frustration whooshes out of me.
I’m officially in Europe for the first time, and thanks to Sebastian, I haven’t even been able to appreciate it.
I’m trying to relax and shake off the negative feelings so that the trip I’ve been dreaming of for weeks doesn’t start off on the wrong foot, when I notice a tall figure take a seat on the opposite side of the train a couple seats to my left.
My eyes tick in that direction, and lock with Sebastian’s.
My brow cinches. I push up from my seat. I turn to my right and walk through the door connecting train compartments.
I may be forced to share a city with Sebastian, but right now, I sure as hell don’t want to share a train car with him.
11
