Filed to story: Once Upon a One Night Mistake Book PDF Free by Simone Shirazi
“And you’re a wuss.”
He had the nerve to curtsy. “No use denying that. Later, Stick Girl!”
If Taliana’s reaction time had been faster, she would’ve been able to catch his wrist and make him suffer alongside her, but Michael danced out of range before she could. A sharp retort was on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it as Zak finally reached her.
“Lia,” he greeted pleasantly, as if this meeting wasn’t the slightest bit odd. “Long time, no see.”
Unfortunately for them both, it was definitely strange, but Taliana had no intention of letting the conversation drag on for any longer than necessary. A few choice words and hopefully it would all be over.
“It should have been longer,” she snapped, turning back toward the school. “Fuck off, Zak.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw him shove his hands into the pockets of his slacks, lips pursing in displeasure. “Come on, can’t we just have a civil conversation?”
“No, we can’t. It’s not like we have anything to discuss.”
Before Taliana could take a step forward, Zak slid into her path, barring her from abandoning the conversation. “Actually, I think we do.”
She rolled her eyes and shoved past him, knocking her shoulder hard into his. “I doubt that.”
“Then let me ask you this,” Zak called to her retreating back. “Do you know where your boyfriend is right now?”
That stopped Taliana in her tracks. Part of her brain was screaming not to take the bait, but his words hit a little too close to home for her to simply brush it off. The fact that she didn’t know where Sebastian was hadn’t bugged her before, but Zak randomly being there and holding this over her head changed everything. So, against her better judgement, Taliana turned to look over her shoulder.
Based on the smug smile that had suddenly appeared on his face, Taliana’s own worry must’ve shone through.
“You don’t, do you?” he taunted. “You want me to tell you, baby?”
The endearment shocked Taliana back to her normal demeanor, and she silently chastised herself as she turned her back on him once more. “I’m not your baby, Huntington. And I doubt you would know where he is.”
“He’s with Blair.”
Taliana froze on the steps just as the warning bell sounded inside the school. All around her, students began streaming through the doors, some tossing her side glances while others full out stared. She barely noticed their presence as she looked back at her ex.
“Excuse me?” she said, hardly able to believe the words that had just escaped his lips.
“You heard me.”
Taliana didn’t move for a long moment, not trusting herself to make it down the steps without falling. “What are you talking about?”
Zak glanced around, eyes darting to the groups of kids that had yet to move inside. “You want to continue this conversation somewhere a little more…private?”
“Like I would go anywhere with you.” Taliana scowled as she willed her feet to move, nonetheless closing the distance between them.
He shrugged, unfazed by the blow. “You used to. You would go anywhere with me.”
“Don’t remind me.” She took another small step forward, not wanting her next words to be overheard. “Why do you seem to think he’s with Blair?”
“I don’t? think he’s with Blair, I know he is,” Zak corrected. “I saw them.”
“Where?” Taliana pressed.
“You know, I don’t remember you being so demanding when we were together.” He grinned, cocking his head to the side as his dark eyes raked over Taliana. “It’s kind of sexy.”
“And you’re kind of disgusting,” she shot back. “Where, Zak?”
He rolled his eyes, but answered the question. “That tiny, hole-in-the-wall coffee shop right off Wisconsin Avenue.”
“Cool Beans?”
Zak shook his head. “No, the one a few blocks down. Unless you’re specifically looking for it, you’d never find it.”
“And how would you know about it?” she questioned, eyes narrowing.
“Let’s just say I had some business there,” he chuckled.
Taliana read between the lines quickly. “Don’t tell me you’re dealing again. I thought you were finished with that.”
“I got bored,” he said easily, as if dealing drugs was truly no big deal. Taliana’s rap sheet claimed otherwise. “I missed the adventure. You can’t deny we had some good times back then, Lia.”
“No, we didn’t,” she growled, her temper surging. “And my name is
Talia .”
“Changing your name doesn’t change the person inside, sweetheart.” He raised a hand to her cheek, thumb brushing gently over her skin. In the past, that move had made her knees weak. Now it just made her want to vomit all over him. Again.
Taliana slapped his hand away, managing to keep the contents of her stomach down this time. “Just tell me what you know and then get the hell away from me.”
“I’ll keep it short then,” he continued. “Blair’s plotting again, but this time she’s going at it alone.”
If Taliana had blinked, she would’ve missed the distaste that fluttered across his face. Zak obviously wasn’t happy that his partner-in-crime had ditched him, and now here he was, telling Taliana all about it.
“Is that why you’re coming to me?” she asked, almost unable to believe it. “Are you really going to tell me about her plan in order to get back at her?”
“That’s part of it.” Zak shrugged. “Plus, I just wanted an excuse to talk to you again.”
Taliana barely suppressed another eyeroll. “This is the best you’re going to get from me. Do you happen to know what she’s planning this time?”