Page 90 of One Week Wingman

I pull out his cellphone and toss it over. Sebastian fumbles to catch it. “I saw the texts,” I continue, my head—and heart—aching now. “Were you going to head straight on over to her bed once you dropped me off? No, wait, you’d pause to shower me off you first. The great Sebastian Wainwright is always a gentleman,” I say, my voice dripping in sarcasm. “He knows how to treat a woman right. All his women. Even if it’s hard to keep count sometimes.”

Sebastian’s eyes flash with what looks like hurt. But before I can wonder if I just made a mistake, his expression hardens.

“That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?” he shoots back. “The charming playboy, to come impress your family. Parade me around, so you wouldn’t feel like such a failure anymore. Well, you got it, darling. I’d say I performed the role to perfection, wouldn’t you?”

I flinch. “Sebastian…” I start, feeling that heartbreak in my chest again, squeezing so tightly it’s hard to breathe. “That’s not what I—”

“You know, I thought it would be fun, hanging out, pretending to play your boyfriend for the week,” Sebastian continues, his voice like ice. “But you’re not the woman I thought you were. I thought you were brave, and independent, and didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought. But it turns out, you’re just a coward. Living in the past with your precious Jason, because you can’t face the thought of failing, trying to do something new.”

I gasp. I can’t believe he’d say something like that, after everything I’ve shared. “I was wrong about you too,” I shoot back, my pulse pounding wildly in my ears. “It’s no wonder you needed a fake girlfriend to pretend you were ready to settle down and commit. I thought that underneath all that charm and bullshit, there was actually a real, decent guy. Someone I could trust. Someone I could even love!”

My voice echoes. Sebastian’s expression shifts. “Roxy—” he starts, running a hand through his hair, but then we’re interrupted by the tap of high-heels on the terracotta tiles.

“I hate to interrupt.” It’s Natalia, with a voice like steel. “But your guests are starting to leave. And I think it’s time you did, too. Both of you,” she adds, shooting Sebastian a look of pure disappointment.

And I realize, she just heard everything.Everything. About our fake dating arrangement, and how we put on an act to fool everyone—including her.

And by the look on his face, Sebastian’s realizing it too.

He clears his throat. “Natalia—”

“No need.” Natalia raises a hand, cutting him off. “Let’s just say tonight has been very, illuminating.”

Sebastian’s shouldersslump as she walks away, leaving us in the hallway alone.

“Seb…” I reach for him out of instinct, I can’t help it, but he pulls back, out of reach.

“Are you happy now?”

His words hit me right in the chest, and I sink back against a cabinet, watching as he strides away.

I can’t keep the tears back any longer. Our charade is over now, for good.

22

SEBASTIAN

It’s Friday night,which should mean the same thing as it always has: Some drinks, some laughs, and a whole lot of fun with whoever is the latest lucky lady to catch my eye.

Except it’s a week since I got back from Ashford Falls, and nothing feels the same anymore.

“Who wants another round?” I ask, trying to rouse the guys. “Or maybe we should go grab some food. I’ve heard there’s a new street food pop-up in Tribeca, we could get some bites and hit a club. Or two.”

“Sounds kind of hectic,” Charlie says with a yawn.

“It’s a Friday night!” I urge them. “C’mon, don’t bail on me now.”

“Sorry, man.” He pulls on his jacket. “I’m beat. And Grace worked late with a big new client, so we’re just going to meet back at mine and do the whole Netflix and chill routine.”

I turn to Austin and Dash. “What do you guys say, night out on the town?” I ask hopefully. “It’s been too long since we all went big.”

“Yeah, about that…” Austin makes a face. “Jenn’s knitting circle is working the early shit at a craft fair tomorrow, so I’m going to take an early night so I can bring them coffee.”

“And Callie just texted,” Dash says, throwing some bills down for the bartender.

“To say what?” I ask.

“Never you mind,” he grins, and winks as he leaves.

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