Page 52 of Stay Toxic

“You’re insane,” I say with an eye roll.

But at the same time, I think about it while I finish my drink. I can't help it. It would immediately solve all my issues.The only thing stopping me is the fact that no one gets married after a fucking week. Even a week of extraordinary fucking. For whatever reason.

It would be different if he were just some guy I didn't know, someone I would propose to just for the sake of getting my hands on the inheritance. I wouldn't have to worry about what I'd feel—especially if I brought it up to him and he laughed in my face.

But the thing is, a complete stranger wouldn't work because I wouldn't trust them. And to my astonishment, there's no denying that I trust Sebastian. Or Aurelius. I know exactly who he is. And I know what he wants from me: me, preferably naked, my tits accessible, and if possible, an audience watching him rail me as I scream that I'm his.

I flush.

"You're totally thinking about sex, aren't you? You have a sex face on."

I hide my smirk behind the straw, but Tanya rolls her eyes, then pouts. "I wish I had a hot guy making me make that face."

I snort. "Come on. You're Tanya Walsh. You have a string of hot guys who only dream of getting a chance to make you make any kind of face."

My friend is seriously hot, and she knows it.

She shrugs. "Not the right guys. I mean, since coming to Thorn Falls, there's only one I've noticed, and guess what? He called me a little girl, then an idiot."

I narrow my eyes. "What the fuck? Who's that asshole?"

"I might have been walking around at night in southie. Apparently, that's not entirely safe. Hence, the whole idiot thing. But still. I'm very far from orgasms on tap territory."

I have an idea suddenly. Maybe I can't talk to Tanya about Sebastian's club, but that doesn't mean I can't help my best friend. "Hey, maybe I'll ask Sebastian if he has some hot, single friends."

Someone not as kinky as the rest of them, I think to myself. I can't imagine Tanya doing the kind of stuff I've seen this past week. Even the kind of stuff I did last week.

"Sign me up," she accepts eagerly. "I'm officially desperate enough to say yes to a blind date."

If I have anything to say about it, not for long.

“Can I help you with anything?” our waitress offers, with a lovely smile.

“Just the bill, please, Pen.”

I’m encroaching on Tanya’s workday again, chatting on her lunch hour. I’m quite taken with the cafe right across the road from the theater, Lost the Plot, so much so I’m on first-name basis with most of the staff by now.

Penelope’s quick to come back with the bill and her card reader. She scans my shiny black card and frown.

“I’m sorry, it was declined.”

My heart sinks.

It can’t be a question of funds. But there are occasions my cards are declined. It always comes down to one reason.

Mother.

“Oh no,” Tanya winces, her mind connecting the dots as fast as mine. “Did you say you didn’t call her back yesterday?”

My jaw tightens. I was having a great time, and then I was studying, and I quite simply didn’t want to deal with her.

But it’s not just that. I also sneered at her golden boy last weekend. I guess it was too many strikes for her.

“I’ve got it,” Tanya offers automatically.

“No, let me.” I still have some of the cash she lent me.

And yeah, paying with her money or letting her pay is about the same difference, but it’ll make me feel better. We had a deal. I’m the one supposed to pay until we’re square, after the cash she loaned me.