Filed to story: Once Upon a One Night Mistake Book PDF Free by Simone Shirazi
After winding his way through the restaurant, having someone check inside the ladies’ room, and asking a few patrons if they had seen a girl matching her description, he eventually found her sitting on a bench outside the restaurant, staring off into space. Pushing his anger to the side, he slowly approached her, coming to stand beside the bench.
“Taliana?” he called softly to get her attention.
She glanced at him, blinking a few times. “Oh. Hey.” She scooted over on the bench to make room for him to sit.
Sebastian hesitated momentarily before taking the empty seat beside her. “You okay?” he questioned, draping his arm across the back of the bench as he watched her.
“I’m fine,” she answered, awkwardly rubbing her upper arm.
From her body language alone, it was clear something was wrong. “You don’t seem like it.”
“Really, I am,” she insisted, but soon she was heaving a sigh. “It’s just- It’s your brother. I don’t like him. At all.”
“Join the club,” he muttered darkly, rolling his eyes.
“No, I? really? don’t like him.” Taliana turned to face him. The expression on her face was more serious than he had expected to see. “There’s something seriously off about him.”
“He’s an asshole,” Sebastian said simply. “That’s what it is.”
“There’s that, but… I don’t know. He’s the kind of guy I wouldn’t want to be left alone with-the kind that doesn’t take no for an answer.”
She was expressing emotions Sebastian never even knew she was capable of feeling, but this vulnerable side was sort of endearing, he had to admit. “Just so you know, I would never let William get too close,” he said, then flashed her a wry smile. “I don’t think I could take losing another girlfriend to him, even if you aren’t a real one.”
She snorted. “Gee, thanks. You’re so kind.” She offered him a half-smile, showing that-this time, at least-there were no hard feelings. “You know, I really think we could have been friends if you hadn’t punched me, and I had never tried to kill you.”
He grinned, lifting a brow. “So now you’re admitting you did try to kill me?”
She rolled her eyes and slapped his shoulder playfully. “You know what I mean, you prick. I really wasn’t trying to kill you that first time. But don’t test me-I might actually try it if you piss me off again.”
Sebastian chuckled. “Duly noted.” His eyes briefly flicked back to the entrance of the restaurant, where the door had just opened and a group of people exited. “We should probably get back in there,” he said with a sigh, not wanting to return to that damn room.
By the way Taliana groaned, he knew she felt the same exact way.
“Do we have to?” she whined, pouting slightly. “Your family scares the hell out of me. Especially the Stantons. Do they make other people feel inferior, or is it just me?”
“They have that effect on everyone.” He laughed again. “By the way, the blushing was a nice touch when you told Grandpa Stanton that we were drunk that night. Really sold it.”
“I was embarrassed! Telling your entire family that the only reason we’re together is because we were drunk is kind of mortifying.”
Sebastian shook his head. “You shouldn’t be embarrassed. Almost everyone on the Phillips side is an alcoholic. We only get along if everyone is shitfaced.”
“I know we get along much better when we’re drunk,” she added jokingly.
“A lot better. So much, in fact, that we feel compelled to sleep together.” That fact right there was almost enough to make him stop drinking completely. Almost.
“Guess that means we should stay sober then.” Taliana laughed as she got to her feet. “Come on, we should go back. I don’t want them thinking they scared me off-even if they kind of did.”
He stood as well and strolled back into the restaurant with Taliana trailing behind him. He stopped once they reached the archway to the private room and let out a heavy sigh before wrapping an arm around her waist once again.
“I can’t wait until this is over,” he grumbled, ruffling his hair with his other hand as he stared down at her.
Taliana murmured in agreement and batted his hand away from his head. “Stop doing that. Now you look like you have sex hair. They’re going to think we snuck off to do inappropriate things if you walk in looking like that.”
She then raised her hands and began to fix it. She corrected his part, swept certain pieces to the correct sides, and smoothed everything back to normal like a real, caring girlfriend would do.
“All better,” she said as she dropped her hands, a satisfied smile on her face. “Now, let’s get back in there so we can say our goodbyes and leave for good.”
He couldn’t wait.
“There you two are!” his mother exclaimed upon seeing the two re-enter. “We were wondering where you went off to.”
“Sorry about that,” Taliana apologized, flashing Arabella a small smile. “I wasn’t feeling well, so I stepped outside for some fresh air.”
She nodded understandingly as she bounced baby Eleanor on her knee. “I understand. The nausea is the worst part of it all. Trust me, after having four of my own, I know how it is. Hopefully this won’t last too much longer for you.”
Stick Girl stiffened, and Sebastian had to resist the urge to groan. Since they had both escaped before they were able to explain the rest of the story, his family had jumped to their own conclusions. Apparently that conclusion was he had gotten Stick Girl pregnant, and that was why they were together.
Shit.
Then again, it did seem like a logical explanation. Why else would they be together unless there were circumstances that required it?
“I’m sorry?” Taliana breathed out, looking as if someone had slapped her.
Arabella leveled them with a heavy stare. “I think it’s quite obvious that the only reason you and my son are together is because he got you pregnant. It’s unfortunate-you’re both so young-but thankfully we have the resources to support you if you plan to continue the pregnancy.”
The look on Stick Girl’s face was pure horror. “No, no. I’m not-“
“Looks like you figured it out then,” Sebastian interjected before she could finish the rest of her sentence. His free hand went to rest on Stick Girl’s flat stomach. “We’re still deciding what we want to do. But for now, I really should be getting her home.”
Sebastian tried hard to ignore the stares that followed them-especially Jude’s horrified gaze-as he dragged Taliana back out of the room, knowing he was about to get an earful from her.
He didn’t give her the opportunity to speak until they were both outside the restaurant, waiting for the valet to bring his car around.
“I can’t believe you!” she seethed as she wrenched herself out of his grasp. “They think I’m pregnant! And you went right along with it! Are you? crazy?”
“Calm down,” he snapped, taking in the confused stares of the people standing around them. “People can hear you.”