Page 26 of When We Ignite

“No, he’s not even in the country. Come on, Ethan. You’re my brother-in-law too. I didn’t do anything wrong, and you’re taking Ash’s little indiscretion out on all of us,” he argued.

He wasn’t wrong. I’d canceled on Oliver and Henry a couple of times already. I just didn’t want to run into Sebastian—not yet, anyway.

Sighing, I said, “Fine. I’m sorry for being a dick.”

“It’s okay, E. Not the first time I’ve dealt with one of Ash’s scorned lovers.”

I clenched my jaw. “We’re not—” I started again.

“Can you stop pretending you’re not interested in my brother?” Henry said over me. “At least with me? Because it’s a lost cause. You’re not convincing anyone. I’ve watched Ash rope guys in my entire life. Straight guys.”

I sighed. “You’re not helping.”

“Fine. Text me the names of your friends. Gotta go. See you on Friday,” Henry said before hanging up.

Maya looked at me expectantly.

“He wants me to go to one of his clubs on Friday. You in?” I asked.

I’d never seen her this excited.

Two weeks had passed since I last talked to Sebastian. He’d spent the first couple of days calling and texting, then silence.

That was that.

He was probably over it and fucking over half of Spain by now.

I didn’t know what I was thinking, agreeing to meet him in the first place. Somehow, I’d gotten the impression he was serious about me. Like I wouldn’t just be another notch on his belt, discarded the next day, leaving me to grapple with the biggest sexual crisis of my life. Charlotte was right—he was too damn charming. I got swept away, believing he meant everything he said. I thought the way he looked at me meant something. I was such a naive idiot.

The worst, most embarrassing part was that it was all me. Sebastian had pulled back, and I went after him. Even though he’d grown bored, just as I’d predicted, I still fell into his trap like a lovesick puppy. Henry clearly knew about it, making it a million times worse. Oliver probably knew too.

I wasn’t even sure what I was doing. It wasn’t like I’d go through with it—getting physical with him. His attention was just so intoxicating. I got caught up in having him look at me as if I were his equal.

I suppose I should count myself lucky I got out before it was too late.

* * *

Apparently, being a naive idiot was still my specialty. Friday rolled around, and there I was, walking straight into the lion’s den.

We arrived at Henry’s club, where the pulsing bass felt like it was vibrating in my ribcage. A hostess escorted us to our table—a prime spot tucked away but still in the thick of it. I’d invited a couple of guys from class and, of course, Maya. It felt safer, bringing backup.

The safety was an illusion.

As I glanced toward the balcony just above Henry’s office, I felt the sharp pull of a gaze. And there he was. Sebastian, leaning casually over the railing, cigarette between his fingers, smoke curling lazily around him like he owned the air itself. His eyes were locked on me, burning with the kind of intensity that made my stomach churn.

Fuck.

I didn’t need this tonight. I didn’t need him.

Snatching a drink from the complementary bottle at our table, I tipped it back in one swift motion, the burn doing nothing to dull the prickle of his attention. With a muttered excuse no one heard over the music, I slipped into the crush of bodies on the dance floor, hoping the crowd would shield me.

As I tried to maneuver further away, dodging limbs and drinks, I almost collided with Henry. He was weaving through the crowd with his usual effortless charm, clearly on his way to find me.

“E, you made it,” he chirped.

I glared at him.

His smile faltered. “You saw him already, didn’t you?”