“Let’stalk about Maya and Julian.” Sebastian chews on the corner of a piece of toast.
I look around the interior of Crispy Biscuit, my favorite diner. I’ve been coming here for the past year. I discovered it by accident one day when I was looking for a sandwich shop I was supposed to meet a blind date at.
My date was waiting for me a block over.
I canceled on him, ordered the lunch special and sat at the counter talking to the owner, Jo. She’s one of the friendliest people I’ve met in Manhattan and whenever I get a chance, I stop in for the food and her company.
“Let’s not.” I sigh.
“Why not?” he questions as he swallows a mouthful of coffee.
I knew this conversation was on the not-too-distant horizon, but I had no idea we would be diving into it while I’m enjoying Eggs Benedict.
I set my fork down and look at him.
His hair is still mussed from when I tugged on it while I came against his face. I almost drifted off to sleep again after that, but the ring of his cell phone pushed me back into reality.
He didn’t answer it. Instead, he got to his feet, leaned down to kiss my left breast and then helped me stand.
I took a shower, got dressed in jeans and a blue sweater and braided my hair. When I walked back into the main living area, he was waiting for me on the sofa staring at the windows. He was lost in thought and when I finally cleared my throat, he turned to find me standing next to him.
I didn’t ask what he was thinking about. I can’t begin to imagine the weight of his world.
“Maya was trying to set me up with you for months.” I push my plate aside. “I kept telling her I wasn’t interested.”
“I know.” He skims his tongue over his bottom lip. “Julian told me as much. I took it to mean you weren’t interested in getting involved with a good friend of his. I admit I was hesitant too.”
I let out an exaggerated sigh. “It’s an odd dynamic, isn’t it? We’re both important to them. We slept together. When it ends, we are still going to end up running into one another whenever they have a family gathering.”
He stares at me, his jaw ticking. “I think we’re both mature enough that we can handle it, Matilda.”
My heart dips. I’m trying to be mature, but it’s not working.
The sex was phenomenal.
I like being around him. I love talking to him. I’m crushing like mad on this man and I don’t know what it’s going to feel like in the future when I see him with another woman.
I fist my hands in my lap. I can’t let my heart race circles around my common sense anymore.
I’ve done that in the past and it’s always ended up with me being dumped because I’ve gotten too attached.
I want to enjoy this for as long as it lasts, not derail it because I want more than he can give to me.
“I can handle it,” I half-lie.
“Good,” he responds quickly. “That’s settled, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Sebastian
There’snothing to worry about?
Famous last words.
The level of bullshit pouring out of my mouth this morning must be directly related to the punch I took last night.
I’m not a liar yet I’m sitting in this diner telling a woman I’m falling head over heels for that I’m going to be fine when this ends.
