“Yes, that’s enough, thank you.” Sebastian wrinkled his nose.
“It got much worse. He suddenly started talking about what he wanted to do to my breasts?—”
“I think I might be sick.” Sebastian did look a little green, and I struggled not to laugh.
“Anyway, when he asked me what my safe word was, I got out of there.” Her eyes twinkled with devilishness. “It was far too soon to share a safe word. And who wants a man who talks while he eats to tie them to a bed? Will he keep talking while he eats, I ask? It’s rather a distracting and ineffective use of his tongue.”
Sebastian squeezed his eyes closed. “I beg of you, stop talking.”
I, on the other hand, cackled so hard, I had to wipe tears from the corners of my eyes.
Juno grinned unapologetically.
“You and my sister January would get on so well,” I told her as my laughter melted.
“What are you lot giggling about?” Zac asked from the other side of the sectional.
It seemed Harry and one of the girls had disappeared.
“Juno is torturing me. I don’t know what I did to deserve it.” Sebastian mock glowered at her.
“I’m not torturing you. I’m bonding with Lily. I thought that would please you.”
In answer, he pressed an affectionate kiss to her temple.
And that’s finally when the confusion I’d felt for weeks dissipated. In its place I felt deflated, and I had to keep smiling to cover it up. I hadn’t understood Sebastian’s affection toward me. His physical affection. Putting his arm around me tonight. Holding me while we watched the band. Kisses to my temple and cuddling me close.
However, watching him with Juno I realized it was just who he was. He was a physically affectionate person. And I should count myself lucky that he liked me so much, he treated me as he treated his sister.
Unfortunately, at that moment, I realized I had been holding on to a wee bit of hope that his behavior toward me meant he was actually attracted to me. That maybe our friendship would develop into something more.
But Sebastian hadn’t lied to me. Or to himself.
He needed a friend and he’d chosen me.
I’d take that for the compliment it was and get over myself.
“I really do need to get going.” I stood slowly. “I’ll call a cab.”
“I’ll walk you,” Sebastian spoke up.
“I can do it,” Zac offered. “Your sister is here.”
“No, no, don’t mind me.” Juno waved Zac off. “Bastian, see her safely home. Crash on the couch when you get back because I’m stealing your bed.”
“Of course you are.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
LILY
Sebastian insisted I borrow a hoodie, and I was glad because the early-morning air held a chill that announced the start of the autumn. At this time of the morning, there were a few stragglers hanging around. At three, when the nightclubs closed, there would be a spill of noisy, drunk people. Considering there were a few nightclubs on our path home, I wanted to get by them before they shut. Sebastian with his long strides easily kept up with my quick ones.
“I like her a lot,” I confessed as we cut through Upper Bow onto Victoria Street. “Juno.”
“Yes, she’s wonderful when she isn’t talking about her sex life in front of me.”
Chuckling, I nodded. “She really is like Jan. We need to introduce them.”
