Filed to story: Once Upon a One Night Mistake Book PDF Free by Simone Shirazi
“He never had to make that decision,” Taliana pointed out, crossing her arms. “He picked the best of both.”
“Wouldn’t you have done the same?”
Taliana made to shake her head but stopped to think. Would she have done the same? If Zak had been in trouble, would she have helped him? Her immediate answer was hell no, but she forced herself to figure out why.
She and Zak had never been that close. She’d only known him for half a year before they began dating, although really, “dating” was a loose term for the things they did. Their relationship had been mostly physical, and it was clear they’d never connected on a higher emotional level. Together they’d wreaked havoc, gotten arrested more times than she could count, and participated in other not-so-bright things. She’d been a different person during her time in California, not to mention when she’d been with him.
But who was she now? The slower pace of life in DC had certainly mellowed Taliana out, and being with Sebastian had shown her the better side to relationships. They’d had their share of ups and downs, but those could be attributed to growing up. There was no doubt in Taliana’s mind that she loved Sebastian, and it was clear now that what she’d felt for Zak hadn’t been anything close to that.
So what would she have done if she’d been in his position?
Maybe she was approaching this the wrong way. Maybe she was thinking about the wrong people. Taliana realized Zak had never mattered enough to her, but what about someone who did? What if she’d been forced to choose between Jude and Sebastian? Jude may have been gay and certainly had nothing but platonic feelings for her, but he was still her best friend, just as Blair had been to Sebastian. If Sebastian had demanded Taliana pick between him and Jude, what would she have done?
“I don’t know,” Taliana answered, both her question and Michael’s. “I really don’t.”
“I think that’s how Sebastian felt.” Michael sat up and rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not trying to excuse what he did. I agree that not being honest with you wasn’t great, but you can see how he would’ve been confused about what to do.”
Taliana nodded reluctantly. His hand found hers on the step, and she glanced down as he gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“You two need to talk,” he said quietly. “And by talk, I mean actually have a discussion and stop yelling for once. Tell him to be open with you about everything and promise to do the same in exchange. And for fuck’s sake, be sure you tell him you love him.”
“Not until he says it first,” Taliana grumbled, though she knew Michael was right about that part. “But you make this sound so easy.”
Michael snorted and drew his hand back. “Trust me, it won’t be.”
“Bummer,” she said, feeling a hint of humor coming back. Maybe she could fix this after all. “When do you think Seb and I should talk?”
“The sooner the better. You don’t want to let this fester.”
“How soon is soon?”
Michael glanced toward the street, but Taliana kept her eyes on him. “Right now would probably be best.”
She frowned. “Michael, it’s six in the morning. He’s not coming over.”
His gaze flickered to her momentarily before looking away again. “Unless my eyes deceive me, I think you’re wrong, sugartits.”
Taliana wasn’t sure how she hadn’t noticed the black Mercedes that had pulled to the curb, a car whose owner she couldn’t mistake. When Sebastian slid out from behind the wheel, looking far worse than he had just a couple hours earlier, Taliana knew she hadn’t been the only one beating herself up over this.
Despite everything, she smiled.
Sebastian seemed surprised to find her sitting outside, probably even more so by the fact that Michael was next to her, but she’d already forgotten about him. Taliana was on her feet and down the steps before Sebastian could even make it to the sidewalk. They both stopped when they were a few feet apart, not sure what to do next, but she felt her breaking point coming.
“I’m sorry.” His voice cracked on the words, but this time they meant something.
“Me, too,” she managed to get out, her throat tightening again. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things. I didn’t mean them.”
Sebastian shook his head, bloodshot eyes closing momentarily. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You were right.”
“I don’t care.” Taliana closed the distance between them before she even realized her feet were moving. “I shouldn’t have doubted you.”
All she wanted to do was throw herself at him, to forget the pain and just hug him, but when she lifted her arms to pull him close, Sebastian took a step back.
“You had every reason to doubt me.”
Confused, Taliana searched his face for an explanation, but he shut her out. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t read him.
“What?” she stammered, her hands fall back to her sides. “Why would you say that?”
As soon as the question was out of her mouth, Taliana knew she wouldn’t want to hear the answer.
“I went to her,” he mumbled and had enough nerve to lift his eyes to hers. “After I left here, I went to her. I went to Blair.”
He was still speaking, but Taliana wasn’t hearing anything. A dull, white noise had settled into her ears, drowning out whatever feeble explanation he was offering. It wouldn’t have changed anything.
“Did you sleep with her?” she interrupted, and she choked back emotion when his eyes dropped to the ground.
“Yes.”
She pressed her fingers to her forehead, willing the tears and the ache to remain at bay for at least a little longer. She wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much that one little word killed her.
“Leave.”
Sebastian took a step closer, guilt written across his face. “Talia-“
But she countered with a shaky step back. “I swear,” she promised on a shuddering breath, “if you don’t leave now…”
He made to move toward her again, but she turned her back and started up the sidewalk before the tears could begin once more. She almost stumbled when Michael stepped into her path, having forgotten he was still there. He wouldn’t be for much longer.
“You too, Michael,” she murmured, breezing around him. “You’re his friend, not mine.”
He frowned and reached out to grab her wrist. “You know that’s not true.”
She jerked away. “I don’t want you here.”
Michael looked like he wanted to object, but when he realized Taliana was serious, he nodded. “Call if you need anything.”