Page 32 of One Taste
Standing from my chair, I pace the length of my office, annoyed. “Why didn’t you tell me Saturday? Why did you let me go on about how I’d sit in on the interviews with you and we’d decide together?”
This is the hard part of working together for us. We’reclose and sometimes it’s hard to keep one aspect of our lives from spilling into the other. It’s something we still need to work on. Though, at the end of the day, she’s my little sister.
Madison gulps before she answers. “We were having a good day. I didn’t want to make it worse.” She looks into my eyes, showing me the guilt she feels. “Plus, I know you’ll like the person I picked if you give them a chance. Please, Sebastian? For me.”
I run a hand over my face, feeling frustrated. “What do you want me to say, Madison? This whole situation is a nightmare.” I stare at her. “I thought I could make it a little easier by choosing someone I felt I could work well with… be comfortable with. This is something new for me. In all honesty, nothing about this is fair to me or this company.”
I break eye contact, looking at the ceiling so she doesn’t see the rage in my eyes. “Every time I think I’m okay with it, I think about it more and I change my fucking mind. It’s not something I ever thought I’d have to deal with. I still don’t know what I did to deserve this.”
“Sebastian, I know it’s unfair. I know you didn’t intend for any of this, but it’s here and we have to deal with it.” She pauses. “Youreallythought nothing would happen if you kept sticking your dick in any chick willing to have it? We both know this situation has to do with you banging the wrong chick. Honestly, I thought you’d wind up with a raging case of gonorrhea before you got straight to sabotage and revenge games.”
Her last comment makes me chuckle, and I feel some of my anger ebbing.My sister thinks I’m a slut.“Condoms prevent itching and burning, sis. Please tell me you’re using them the three times a year you get laid. No glove, no love,” I joke.
“Bite me.” She sticks her tongue out. “All of this makes me wonder something though.”
“What’s that?” I ask, taking a seat next to her.
“Don’t you get sick of the chaos,allthe time? I can’t imagine it’s worth it at the end of the day. What are you getting out of living like a frat boy? I don’t understand.”
Her words make me think. Idolive in the moment, but we only get one shot—a limited amount of time, and Iwant to enjoy it.
“I kind oflikethe chaos,” I admit. “It makes me feel alive.”
She frowns. “Stress makes you feel alive, Sebastian?”
“It wasn’t stressful until now.”
“Maybe it’s a sign.”
“What is it a sign of?”
“It’s time to grow up and settle down. You’re not twenty-two anymore. Most women won’t find the multitude of bedmates you have charming. Not a respectable one, anyway.”
“I don’t see you settling down,” I throw back. “Unless you consider your cats your life partners.”
I’m being harsh, but she shouldn’t pass judgment when she doesn’t have the perfect life either. I see her point, but it doesn’t mean I’ll allow her to talk down to me.
She glares and crosses her arms over her chest. “That’s because I haven’t found the right one.”
“Neither have I, Madison, but at least I’m looking.”
Her eyes narrow. “By sleeping with all of New York City?”
“You have to meet all thewrongones before you meet therightone.” I shrug.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m ignoring that very cliché comment.”
“It’s the truth,” I argue.
She ignores me, continuing to lecture as if she’s freaking Yoda holding all of life’s secrets. “Sebastian, the issue is the lifestyle you live. I love you. You’re my twin brother and I willalwaysbe on your side, but you needa good, strong woman in your life, who you won’t find by having one-night stands. Don’t you want to have a family? Don’t you want what Mom and Dad have?”
Her words crash into me despite my anger.Do I want that?A family?I haven’t given it much thought. I’m young—in my prime. There’s plenty of time to settle down.
Staring at my sister, sitting on the couch where she’s been the entire time, it’s the first time I notice how much she has grown up. She doesn’t look like a little girl anymore; she looks like a woman in her black suit and high heels withan air of contentment around her. It looks as if she has her life all figured out and loves every minute.
My tone softens. “Maybe one day, but not today, Madison.”
A tiny smile spreads over her lips. “I’ll take it.”
