Filed to story: Once Upon a One Night Mistake Book PDF Free by Simone Shirazi
Taliana heaved a sigh as she pushed off from the door. Collapsing face down on his bed, her dress riding dangerously high, she mumbled against his comforter as she curled into a tight ball, “It’s Blair.”
“What about her?” he asked, ignoring how his heart skipped a beat. He wasn’t sure if it had been caused by the sight in front of him or from hearing the name of his traitorous ex.
Stick Girl lifted her head, shoving her hair out of her face before shooting him a brooding look. “She’s here.”
He made a noncommittal noise. “Guess it was a good thing I let you go get the door then.”
“I wish you hadn’t,” she sighed, rolling onto her back and throwing her hands above her head. “Being pinned against that wall was a hell of a lot more fun than seeing her.”
Sebastian swallowed hard as his eyes raked over her sprawled across his bed, trying to keep his mind off less appropriate ideas. “What happened?”
“Blair’s just so…condescending, like she thinks she’s better than everyone,” Taliana replied, scowl deepening. “I swear, if she says one wrong thing during dinner, I cannot be responsible for what happens. Tell your mom not to put any sharp objects near me or else there’s going to be a bloodbath.
Especially if Zak shows up. I still plan to exact my revenge.”
Sebastian couldn’t help but grin as he grabbed his watch off the dresser and slipped it on. “You and your violence. Will it ever stop?”
Taliana snorted and shrugged, letting her hands fall back down on her stomach. “No. But I’ll be on my best behavior tonight. Don’t want to ruin Arabella’s dinner.”
“That’s my girl,” he chuckled, pushing away from the dresser and offering her his hand. “Shall we go attempt to convince everyone we’re madly in love?”
Instead of rejecting his hand like she’d done countless other times, she grasped it tightly and got to her feet. “Let’s do it.”
Five minutes later, however, Stick Girl wasn’t looking so brave.
They’d joined the rest of his family out on the veranda as they waited for the other guests to arrive, seated together in an oversized armchair-a chair that was truly meant for just one person, so Taliana was practically sitting on his lap. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, but it had been the last unclaimed seat in the circle of chairs that occupied the space.
Michael and Marcus-who’d thankfully arrived sans Zak-were sitting on the other side of the circle, with Jude seated cross-legged near their feet. Jude was trying to engage Michael in some sort of discussion, but Michael’s hooded gaze was trained on Blair, who’d just sauntered out of the house with Lacey trailing after her.
Sebastian had quickly looked away, eager to avoid a confrontation with his ex, but that hadn’t stopped the rest of the men in the circle. Sebastian caught his father, as well as both his grandfathers, trying to be inconspicuous as they watched her. Predictably, William took his time looking her over, as did Marcus, who flushed a deep red when he realized what he was doing. Michael merely gave her a quick scan before rolling his eyes and looking away with a smirk.
Then there was Grandma Stanton, who stared at Blair with blatant disgust like she always had, and Nana Phillips, who was probably trying to envision what her bony body would look like in the same tight dress. Lastly, much to his surprise, was Jude, who was staring enviably at the girl, more than likely impressed by how well she’d put together her outfit.
Sebastian shut out all the squealed greetings the women gave Blair-save for Grandma Stanton, who’d taken an instant dislike to Blair and every other Bakhtiar many years ago, all because of their Persian heritage-and chose instead to distract himself by playing with Stick Girl’s fingers, which were still laced with his. After that grew boring, he stroked the inside of her wrist, his thumb tracing lazy circles around her rapidly beating pulse point. Knowing that-despite her composure on the outside-her heart was beating up a storm managed to bring a hint of a smile to his lips. Whether it was from the fact that he was touching her, or just because she was nervous about the entire situation, he was still amused by it.
Sebastian glanced up at her at the same time she chose to look down. Her eyes were wide with discomfort, in complete contrast to the smile she was wearing.
“Kill me now,” she mouthed to him, not waiting for a reply as she looked back to the rest of the group, answering a question his grandmother had just fired at her. “No, Mrs. Stanton, I’m not pregnant. It was just a scare.”
“Thank goodness,” she breathed out, placing a hand to her chest. “As much as I’d like for Sebby to give me a great-grandchild, I think you two are a bit young. Maybe in a few years? After you’re married, of course.”
Michael snickered, and Sebastian resisted the urge to glare at him.
“Grandmother, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Sebastian replied, glancing at her. Noting her put off expression, he quickly corrected himself. “I mean, anytime soon, that is. More like after college.”
She seemed satisfied enough with that answer. “Oh, you two would have the most? adorable children,” she cooed, looking between him and Taliana. “I can’t wait to plan your wedding.” Her eyes traveled to Blair a few seconds later. “Oh, dear, I’m so sorry. This must be? terribly awkward for you.” Though the words were remorseful, there was an unmistakable undertone of glee.
Blair, composed as always, played off the comment. There wasn’t even a telltale flash in her eyes signaling that his grandmother’s words had gotten to her. It almost made him wonder if she was finally over him, but he knew all too well that wasn’t the case.
“No harm done, Mrs. Stanton,” she said with a soft chuckle. “I actually think these two are perfect together. Taliana’s very lucky to have him.” Her blue-gray gaze traveled to Stick Girl, her smile dimming half a watt before she flashed a stunning grin. “You better hold onto him,” she continued, jokingly. “I’m sure plenty of other girls would love to steal him from you.”
Her words gained a hearty laugh from the adults in the circle, but to those who knew her for what she truly was, the underlying threat wasn’t missed.
As the laughter died down, a timer shrilled in the kitchen, catching his mother’s attention. “Well, I think the duck is finally done,” she announced, rising to her feet and smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles in her dress. “I’ll go check on it.”
“Is there anything you need me to do, Mrs. Phillips?” Taliana asked as she stood too. “I’m more than happy to help.”
“How sweet of you, dear,” his mother replied. “I suppose I could use a hand.”
Arabella swept into the house with Taliana trailing behind. Taliana shot him one last look over her shoulder that could have been translated as “I love you so much!” or “I got out of another round of awkward conversation, and you didn’t, sucker.”
He was almost positive it was the latter.
After the two had stepped into the house, a whirlwind of commotion began.
“I suppose I’ll go help the ladies in the kitchen,” Jude’s mother sighed as she shuffled into the house.
Lacey took a moment to survey the remaining people out on the veranda before frowning and getting up as well.
Sebastian’s father was the next to move. “I have a quick conference call to make. If you’ll excuse me…”
“I’ve got some cigars I’ve been wanting to try,” was the excuse Papa Phillips, Grandpa Stanton, and Jude’s father used to leave the circle, while William was silently summoned into the house with Grandma Stanton.
Next to go was Nana Phillips, who was complaining that the humidity was making her hair frizz, though Sebastian was positive her silver coif hadn’t moved a centimeter since she’d come outside. Michael, Marcus, Jude, Blair, and himself were the only ones left after his family’s exit, a dangerous combination. All four boys realized it.
Jude was the first to spring to his feet. “I’ll go see if anyone needs help in the kitchen,” he barely managed to get out before sprinting into the house.
“I think I’m missing a special on the History Channel on the Roman Empire,” Marcus blurted, almost tripping over his own feet.
And then there were three. Blair looked to Sebastian, who looked to Michael, who in turn let out a loud scoff.
“Fuck this,” Michael snorted as he stood. “You two have a good time.” And with a quick wink, he bounded off.
Sebastian didn’t dare look at the girl sitting across from him, instead eyeing the sliding glass door as he planned his escape. When he made a move to get up, though, he wasn’t surprised when Blair’s voice cut across the air.
“Don’t go.”