Filed to story: Once Upon a One Night Mistake Book PDF Free by Simone Shirazi
With as often as she reminded him, it was impossible to forget.
Two weeks had passed since he and Taliana had skipped graduation and gone to the Hamptons with the rest of the boys-and Blair, of all people-in tow. When Taliana had suggested the trip, he was sure she was going use that time to finally make up her mind about whether or not they would ever be anything more than friends, but that hadn’t been the case. He couldn’t exactly blame her for being so cautious, but Christ, the girl must not have understood how absolutely torturous this was.
Or maybe she did. Maybe she was doing this to give him a taste of what she’d gone through. If that was the case, it was certainly working.
“Well, we could be a couple again if-“
“Now’s not the time,” Taliana interrupted but eased the sting of her words by taking his hand in hers. “We’ll talk about that later.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, knowing this wasn’t going to go anywhere tonight. She was right, this wasn’t the time, and it definitely wasn’t the place. After all, he and Taliana were there to make it clear to Blair’s family that he had moved on, something that had actually been Blair’s idea. He didn’t bother asking why she wanted them to do this, and frankly, he wasn’t sure he cared.
“Fine, take as much time as you need.”
Her hip bumped his lightly as they started toward the staircase. “I know you don’t mean that,” she teased. “Now, can you please tell me why the hell we’re at this party?”
“You can’t say no to me, and I can’t say no to Blair’s grandmother.” Sebastian sighed, glad for the change in subject as they began the hike to the second floor. “She’s the one who invited me, but Blair was the one who insisted I bring you. Still, I wasn’t about to cross a Persian grandmother. I know better.”
Taliana snorted and brushed a tendril of hair behind her ear. “Tell me about it. I’ve had the fortune of meeting Blair’s? maadar bozorg .”
“Really? When was this?”
“I don’t know, a week or so ago, I guess,” she said with a shrug. “I was out with Blair, and she had to pick something up from Grandma Noor, so-“
“Wait, what?” He stopped abruptly when they reached the top landing. “You were out with Blair?”
“Yep. We kind of, well, bonded when we were in the Hamptons. She’s not so bad once you get to know her…or when she’s not trying to make your life a living hell.”
Sebastian only managed to blink. “You and… Blair?
Really?”
He could’ve sworn his heart stopped for a moment when her lips twisted into a wry smile.
“It’s almost sickening how cute you two are together,” someone teased from behind him. “I think I might vomit.”
Taliana peeked over his shoulder and shot their interrupter a grin. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Sebastian turned in time to see a smirk appear on Blair’s face.
“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Blair laughed, thrusting a manicured hand in his direction. “Come dance with me.”
He eyed her hand warily. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“I wasn’t asking you, dumbass.” Blair rolled her eyes before her gaze swung back to Taliana. “What do you say, Stick Girl?”
Taliana looked pleasantly surprised by the offer. “Me? Dance? I’m flattered, but are you sure you want to witness that?”
“It’s tradition that I always try to upstage the belly dancer, but this time I don’t want to do it alone,” Blair explained. “So, are you with me or not?”
Taliana thought about it for a moment before shrugging. “Why the hell not.”
“Good girl.”
Sebastian watched as Blair took her by the hand, and the two girls moved into the private dining room. He followed at a slower pace but kept an eye on them as he made his way toward a table full of Blair’s cousins. He took a moment to greet the ones he knew before sitting, making sure he had a clear view of Blair, Taliana, and the belly dancer. This was certainly going to be interesting.
He somehow managed to look away from the girls when another group entered the already packed room, Blair’s brother at the head.
“Khalid!” he called, waving the other Bakhtiar sibling over to the half-full table. “Blair told me you were going to be here, but I almost didn’t believe her.”
Khalid grinned as he made his way over. “Most of the time you shouldn’t believe her.” He laughed before stepping back to reveal who he’d come in with.
It took a moment for Sebastian to realize the guy to Khalid’s right wasn’t a Bakhtiar, although a quick glance could’ve confused the two to be at least cousins. Both were good-looking, that much he couldn’t deny, but Khalid was slightly fairer in color. His companion was darker, his hair slightly longer, with eyes just a few shades away from black.
Now that Sebastian looked a little closer, the similarities seemed to disappear, and he was almost positive this guy wasn’t even Persian.
“Seb, this is my roommate from Oxford, Zayn al-Haydar,” Khalid introduced, motioning to his companion. “Zayn, this is Sebastian Phillips.”
The other boy shot Sebastian an easy smile as they shook hands. “Of JP Energy?” Zayn inquired in slightly accented English. Sebastian couldn’t help but note how posh he sounded. “Or am I thinking of your father?”
“My father,” Sebastian chuckled, not surprised by the mistake. “Although I suppose it’ll be me in a few years. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Zayn.”
“Likewise.”
The two dropped hands, and Sebastian turned his attention back to Blair and Taliana. “I would introduce you to my girlfriend-” He didn’t bother correcting his mistake. “-but Khalid’s sister kidnapped her.”
Sebastian grinned as he watched Taliana lift her hands above her head and attempt to shimmy. It was on the top ten list of the most awkward things he’d ever laid eyes on.
“Oh god, Khalid, look.”
The other two followed his gaze toward the girls, and Sebastian amusedly noted their reactions. Khalid threw his head back and laughed, probably not surprised in the slightest by what was going on, but Zayn smiled politely and was quick to lower his gaze.
“The awkward one is my girlfriend,” Sebastian announced proudly. “If it wasn’t obvious, she’s not a dancer.”
“We can’t all be so talented in that department.” Khalid grinned, slapping Sebastian on the back. “But you certainly picked a winner. You’d have to be stupid to let her go.”
Wasn’t that the truth.
“Trust me, man,” Sebastian promised, “I’ll never let that happen.”
—The End