“Yeah.”
“And?”
My smile is once more unstoppable as I remember Pete’s face. “I lent him my book.”
“The one you carry everywhere and hoard like a dragon?”
“I don’t hoard it,” I mutter.
He raises an eyebrow.
“But yes, that one.”
This is probably the first time in my life I’ve witnessed Seb lost for words. His mouth opens, but nothing comes out for a good few seconds as he stares at me.
“Charlie,” he says eventually, sounding exasperated. “I say this with love?—”
“OhGod.”
“Why are you stuck in that lonely but very tastefully decorated annexe when you could be fucking the super-hot and supportive man who is probably tucked up in bed reading your book as we speak?”
“Because I leave in a week.”
“And?”
This time I’ve got nothing because all my reasons for not doing this, when both of us clearly want to, seem ridiculous right about now. “It’ll hurt when I have to leave,” I say weakly.
“Maybe,” Seb concedes. “Or maybe not. Maybe you’ll both want to keep seeing each other and it’ll be the best thing to ever happen to you.”
I snort. “Steady on.”
“Fine. Maybe you’ll have a great week fucking each other and part as friends. Would that be so bad?” Before I can answer, he adds, “Or maybe you do nothing and leave there regretting that you never took the chance when you had it.”
Yeah, I fucking hate that option when he puts it out there like that. “But I’m staying in his property.”
“So?”
“It could get weird or super fucking awkward if things go badly.” Not that I think they will, but lately I’ve leant towards being a glass-half-full kind of guy. Can’t say I’m a fan.
Seb frowns like I’ve said something stupid. “Then come home. It’s not like you can’t leave.”
“Dan is at my flat.”
“Meh. We’ll either kick him out or you can stop with me until he leaves.”
I’m out of arguments.
He knows it too, judging by his smug expression.
There’s stillsomethingholding me back and he sits up, gaze turning serious.
“I know Dan hurt you,” he says softly. “I know he made you doubt yourself and feel insecure about more than just your writing.”
I swallow thickly, because it’s the truth even if I don’t want to admit it.
“Don’t let the wanker win, Charlie. Don’t let him stop you from putting yourself out there and having fun like you fucking deserve.”
“I’ll think about it.”
