“You’velostyour mind!” he exclaims, throwing his hands up. “What were you thinking?”
“I was thinking,” I say, forcing myself to stay calm, “that I couldn’t keep lying to Maddie, or to myself. Yes, I broke things off because of you.”
“For someone likeme?” he shoots back, the disbelief in his voice landing like a slap. “You left someone like Maddie, after all those years, for… what? For me?”
“Yes. Foryou,” I snap, the words sharp with emotion. “And why the hell not?”
He blinks, stunned.
“You’re kind. You’re thoughtful. You care deeply, even when you pretend not to. You’re a phenomenal pianist. You’re beautiful, Seb.Sexy, smart, funny, so much more than you think you are.”
I pause, catching my breath.
“You’re amazing. Even if you can’t see it yourself… I do.”
He groans, dragging both hands over his face.
“You don’t evenknowme, Remi! I’m a mess. I ran away from England because I couldn’t face the truth. I still haven’t come out to my parents. They’re still managing my life, along with that shark of an agent. I’ve had nothing but meaningless flings in Paris. No real friends, no relationships. Just work.”
His voice rises as he gestures at me in frustration.
“Andyou, you’ve got the perfect life. The perfect girlfriend whoadoresyou. And you just… threw it all away?”
He gestures to himself, like the very idea is absurd.
“Forthis?”
That’s when my temper snaps.
“Perfect life? Really?” I shoot back. “Did you not hear what I told you about my dad? You’re thefirstperson I’veevertold. You think someone living a perfect life carries that kind of silence around for years?”
Sebastian blinks, stunned into silence.
“I’m just as much of a mess as you are,” I go on, my voice quieter now, steadier. “But if there’s one thing,onething, I’m sure of right now, it’s this: I want to get to know you better.”
I reach for his hand, gently.
“And if you let me… I think I could show you the version of yourself I see every time I look at you.”
He stays quiet for a long moment. When he finally speaks, his voice is soft, barely above a whisper.
“Thank you, Remi. I know how hard it must’ve been to come back from what happened to your family. And youdidit. You’re strong. So strong. Which is exactly why I’d feel like the worst kind of person if I let you throw it all away for some… fleeting attraction.”
“It’s not fleeting, Seb,” I say, more sharply than I intend. “If it were, I wouldn’t have risked everything tonight.”
I take a breath, trying to steady myself. “I didn’t expect anything from you. I didn’t even think you’d beinterested. I know I’m not the easiest guy to be around. And I know you care about Maddie. And yeah, this, whateverthisis, it’s messy. But I’m not expecting everything at once. Just a beginning.”
He looks down, clearly torn, and something in me twists. I push through the lump in my throat.
“I know going any further between us might cost you Maddie’s friendship. And if you’re not ready, I’d never push. ButI couldn’t keep pretending. Not when I can’t stop thinking about you.”
Seb nods slowly. Then he stands and holds out a hand to me.
“I think… I’ll take you up on that Uber now.”
He looks exhausted, completely drained. And my heart twists at the sight, knowing I’ve put him in an impossible position. But I meant every word. What I feel for him is real. No matter how messy all this is, kissing him was still one of the truest, clearest things I’ve ever done.
If he needs time, I’ll give it to him. I won’t push. I just want him to be okay. To be happy, even if it’s not with me.
