Filed to story: Once Upon a One Night Mistake Book PDF Free by Simone Shirazi
“How much is the real question.”
He somehow managed to plaster a smirk on his face as he laced his fingers with hers and started off toward the brick building. Those who were loitering by the doors moved out of the way when they saw him and Stick Girl coming. Some merely looked confused, while others looked downright shocked by their intertwined fingers. There were even a few who looked as if they’d seen a ghost.
Sebastian saw the corners of Taliana’s mouth tip up as she leaned in to whisper in his ear. “Wouldn’t it be great if their faces got stuck like that?”
“Then we wouldn’t be the freak show anymore.”
His grin didn’t fade as they stepped inside together, almost forgetting who was holding his hand. Stick Girl could be amusing when she wanted.
However, his humor didn’t last long. It took a minute for him to figure out why the usually boisterous hallway had suddenly gone silent, but once he remembered who was standing next to him, he understood perfectly. He and Taliana shared a glance before starting down the packed corridor, and before long, the voices started up again.
“Oh my god, what the fuck is this?”
“Are they seriously dating now?”
“I know they slept together, but I thought he still hated her!”
“Dude, wasn’t she the one who broke his arm all those years ago?”
“Wait, I thought he and Blair were getting back together.”
“I heard the only reason he’s dating her is because he got her pregnant.”
Sebastian felt Taliana stiffen next to him and glanced down, noticing she looked a little nervous. “Just grin and bear it, Stick Girl.”
She forced a smile. “Remind me to kill you.”
He resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead focused his attention on the crowd farther down the hallway. Rather than staring at him and Taliana, their worried gazes were fixed on a certain gray-eyed girl who looked uncomfortably calm.
“That’s if Blair doesn’t get me first,” he said under his breath.
Taliana followed his gaze and paled when she saw who was standing in the middle of the hallway. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”
Sebastian tightened his grip on her hand. “It’s too late to change your mind. You’re in this for the long haul.”
“I’m not sure if I really want to go up against her anymore,” she said, wincing. “Shit, we’re going to have to pass right by her.”
“I’m well aware.” He took a moment to glance around, but already knew there were no escape routes. “Don’t look at her straight on, but don’t look down either.”
“Why?”
“If you look at her, she’ll see right through the whole fa?ade. If you look at the floor, she’ll think you’re afraid of her.”
“I? am afraid of her. She could ruin my whole life with the snap of her fingers.”
“Don’t let her know that. She’d use it against you in a heartbeat. Just pretend she isn’t even there, okay?”
“Oh,? god.”
His ex-girlfriend clearly expected them to stop for her, but Sebastian didn’t break stride as he slipped by hand in hand with Stick Girl, not even sparing Blair a glance. He was almost relieved when they were past her, but he counted his blessings a little too soon.
“Congrats, you two,” Blair’s voice rang out behind them. “Hope it lasts.”
He could feel Blair’s eyes on him as they continued, but she didn’t follow when they turned the corner and slipped into the ISS room. Once he and Taliana were safely inside with the door shut, she finally ripped her hand out of his grasp.
“This was a horrible idea,” she blurted, eyes wide in sudden panic. “Did you see the way Blair was looking at me? She’s probably going to attack me the second I step out the door.”
“You and I both know that won’t happen,” he replied as he dropped into his seat, trying to hide the fact he was afraid of the same thing.
“How are you so calm?”
Sebastian shrugged, deciding that keeping his mouth shut was his safest option.
Stick Girl let out a groan in response to his silence. “Why did I agree to this?”
“Because you wanted to make your ex jealous,” he reminded her. “And knowing the way word travels around here, he should show up right about-“
As if on cue, the door banged open, and Zak Huntington stepped inside.
Sebastian shot Stick Girl a smug look. “Told you.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, a snarling Zak spun to face him. “You son of a bitch, I told you she’s? mine .”
Sebastian remained seated and feigned boredom. “You gave her up, Huntington. She’s mine now.” He shot a sly smile in Stick Girl’s direction. “Isn’t that right, babe?”
Taliana looked like she wanted nothing more than to smack him.
“Actually,” she cut in, folding her arms across her chest with a scowl. “I don’t belong to either of you. I’m not some object.” She slid an annoyed glance in Sebastian’s direction before turning to her ex. “What the hell are you doing here, Zak?”
“I’m trying to figure out what you see in this bastard,” he said, motioning to Sebastian. Suddenly, the rage disappeared from his face, and a semblance of a smile appeared in its place. “Lia, baby, this guy is no good. I know you’re still a little mad about what happened, but-“
“Still a little mad?” she repeated incredulously. “Zak, you cheated on me with my best friend. What else could you possibly expect?”
The almost-loving smile remained on his lips as he took a step closer to her. “Baby, come on, you know there was never anything between me and Sara,” he said tenderly. “You know I love you.”
The insincerity of his words sickened Sebastian, who could only imagine how Stick Girl was feeling about this. Her disgusted scoff definitely gave him a clue though.