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I grin. “Miserydoeslove company.”
I’ll turn this disaster around, no matter what.
CHAPTER FIVE
Presley
WHYTHEHELLam I going for a drink with my ex’s stepbrother?
Don’t you mean your getaway driver?
I feel guilty that I caused Sebastian and his dad to have a fight. I’d been so focused on my great escape that I didn’t consider the consequences for the man who saved me. Honestly, I only had brainpower for my own problems that day. I’d been so consumed by my own shame and humiliation, and my desperation to get the hell out of there, that I’d acted selfishly.
Not my finest moment.
“What was the plan for drowning your sorrows?” Sebastian asks as we walk down the street.
I try not to be too obvious as I watch him out of the corner of my eye but, if we’re being honest, this man is impossiblenotto look at. I’m no shortie, but he towers over me—six feet three...maybe four. He’s broad yet lean, his muscular thighs hugged by soft, fitted denim. It’s his face that has me staring, though—rich coffee-coloured eyes with lashes thick enough to star in a Maybelline ad. Dark hair with a natural wave, causing it to kink around his collar. Starkly masculine facial features that are only softened by an amused smile that seems to hover just out of reach.
“No specific plans,” I say, thinking about my conversation with Drew earlier. “Just the requisite breakup ingredients—cheap booze that burns a little on the way down to remind me that I’m an idiot. Oh, and music loud enough to drown out my thoughts.”
Sebastian laughs. It’s a dry, sharp sound that has an appreciative edge to it, like he knowsexactlywhat I mean. “I can only assume my stepbrother is the idiot in this scenario, because he lost you and that seems like a dumb move to me.”
“Smooth. He told me you were like that.”
What he’dactuallysaid was that Sebastian was as charming as a thief and oilier than a snake.
“What else did he tell you?” Sebastian’s eyes flick to me. Shadows play across his skin as we walk between streetlamps.
“Nothing I’m sure you’d want to hear,” I reply. “Sounds like there was no love lost between you.”
“True.”
We walk a little further and find the entrance to a bar that looks suitably noisy, dark and crowded. In other words,notthe kind of place I would usually be seen and therefore not a place I’m likely to run into anyone I know.
As an extra measure of protection, I’ve borrowed an outfit from Drew that is well outside my comfort zone so I can play twin switch again, if necessary. This leopard-print skirt is so short that if I lean the wrong way, I’m going to show everyone what I had for breakfast.
I don’t miss the way Sebastian’s eyes slide over me, tracking up and down like he’s cataloguing every little detail. Let him look. Tonight I’m not myself. I’m not the “good twin” with her neat hair and polished nails and play-by-the-rules attitude.
Tonight, I’m the chick without a plan. I’m feeling a little rebellious and a little wild and a little destructive. I’m a potent cocktail of things that frightened me at one time.
I push through the crowd to find a seat at the bar. The floor is sticky and I feel the resistance as I walk.
“There.” Sebastian points to a gap that opens up and I make a beeline for the two empty chairs, cutting in front of another couple who’ve spotted them. Usually, I would let the other people go ahead of me since they were clearly there first, but tonight I don’t care. I’m taking what I want. I climb onto the stool and signal to the waiter, leaning forward enough that my silk camisole shows a hint of cleavage. It works a treat and he’s over in a second.
“Two tequila shots, extra lime.” I order and then turn to Sebastian with a wink. “What are you having?”
“Make it four.” He holds up four fingers to the barman as he takes the stool next to me. “Straight into the shots—that’s not a good sign.”
“What would you be drinking if you found out your fiancé was only marrying you for show?” I reply sourly.
Sebastian is watching me again and I’m not sure I can bear his scrutiny. I don’t even know why I accepted his offer of a drink—I should be alone tonight, because I amfarfrom good company.
“Tell me what happened.” Not a question, a demand.
“It’s none of your business.” I meet his eyes, daring him to push me. Because I’m a firework ready to explode, my emotions mixing like combustible liquids.
“Youmadeit my business by involving me in your escape plan.”
