Page 130 of True Blue

“You know, I’ve usually received positive reviews on my kissing technique,” Sebastian says, though there’s a little insecurity in his tone. “Was it that bad?”

“It’s not you—” I rush to tell him, and he grins almost knowingly.

“Oh, bollocks,” he groans, though there’s a smile on his face. “Not that line. ‘It’s not you, it’s me.’”

“It is me,” I tell him. “It’s me who’s not ready for… anything… again.”

Sebastian’s expression softens, and he leans in a little closer to meet my eyes, his gaze warm and knowing.

“I understand,” Sebastian murmurs, smiling gently. “Recent breakup?”

I nod.

“Likewise,” he says, gesturing toward himself.

“Really?” I ask, surprised.

Sebastian swallows thickly, “Bought a ring and everything.”

My chest tightens in sympathy.

“What happened—if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I don’t mind,” he says, taking a deep breath. “I came home early from holiday with my old university mates. But I missed her so much, so I cut the trip short.”

Sebastian takes a long drink from his glass.

“And found her in our bed with the bloke she told me not to worry about.”

I lay a hand over his forearm, “Sebastian, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright. It happened six months ago,” he says, looking down at the bar, his mouth pulling down.

All the earlier charming bravado is gone, and he seems genuinely vulnerable; it makes my chest ache. I squeeze his forearm in comfort, and he gives me a wry grin. “I guess I was just trying to… try again tonight. And I saw you, and thought you were beautiful, and you look exactly the opposite of what Rose looks like, so⁠—”

“I understand,” I gently cut him off.

And I do, because I was trying to do the same.

Sebastian is the exact opposite of Teddy, and that’s why he’s wrong. Why me using him would be wrong. Why him using me would be wrong. Because we’re both not ready.

And that’s okay.

“What about you, Indie?”

I snort. “How much time you got?”

Sebastian grins and orders two more drinks from Lara.

25

INDIE

AUGUST

“His mother?”

I nod.