Twisted Deal | A not-so cliche fake dating romance

Chapter Sixteen

Sebastian

It's been a while since I've seen Jen. After our mission on me getting back out there had failed in multiple ways than one, we had decided to stop on that. It wasn't getting anywhere, and when I think about the sitstiok we were in, it wouldn't anymore. So that was a plan that was now out of the question. I didn't want to throw my heart out there anyway either.

I mean, I wasn't throwing my heart out when I agreed to casual dates, but even the idea of being associated with another woman was scary. I didn't know where their feelings lied, and even though we could talk about it beforehand, I wouldn't know where it goes later.

Which is why I had freaked out in Jen's apartment after the massive attempt at a date. I hadn't know—I didn't even know what to say. I didn't even know what she was feeling, but a second later we were talking generally, and then she was moving closer to me. I hadn't thought anything of it until she turned around and I realized the absence of space between us. And how breathless she seemed at my touch. It had been a long time since a girl had felt that way about my touch that I was so shocked.

It was shocking.

Jen was a friend. We were only friends and barely even knew each other. It was shocking that it had happened as well. Jen didn't like me. I knew that, so I asked to confirm it. She had confirmed it. It was just a relapse of a moment, and maybe it was too much for her. I shouldn't even have invited myself to her place for a massage anyway. It was crossing a boundary in the first place.

I've been ignoring it. I mean, it wasn't even in my place to dwell on it. Not when it didn't mean anything.

We were invited over to Andrea and Miles' place again. The wedding was coming up faster than anyone could comprehend, and Andrea had called us all freaking out on the phone. They had picked the date and venue and did everything else that required planning, but I think it was going too fast for Andrea. She might be ready to marry Miles next month, but she was still freaking out. I got it. I knew what it meant to commit to a person and yet still be so scared about it. Mine didn't turn out so hot though.

When I enter the apartment, Hannah is standing next to the counter. I walk over to her, and even though I wanted to hold on to the fact that we were going to get back together longer, I needed stability. This wasn't stability. I needed to talk to her. She has been too busy back in the apartment, and I never caught her at a good time. Either she was at her workplace or she was hanging out with friends on the weekend. And catching her on the way to sleep wasn't a good option either, so this might be my only chance. I needed to make sense of things.

"Hey," I say to her softly as I approach her. Hannah seems shocked to hear me speaking to her, which just about breaks my heart as she moves her eyes up to my face. She smiles regardless though and says, "Hi!"

"Hi," I say again and then have to look away from her at my absurdity. Giving myself a five-second cooldown at the embarrassment, I look over at her again. She is looking at me expectantly, like she can sense that I was going to speak to her. I needed to actually say something other than stare at her blankly.

"So, I actually wanted to talk to you," I start, pressing myself against the counter so I'm not staring right into her face. Starting off slowly, I say, "How are things going with you?"

"Like my job?" Hannah asks, and I nod. She shrugs in response and says, "I'm not sure what to say other than I'm working to save up for the new semester."

"Right," I nod, looking over at the entrance of the apartment where Jen was walking through the door. I look back at Hannah and say, "And tuition is good?"