Page 96 of Hate To Be Mine

“When don’t you chase tail?” Dash countered.

“I didn’t. Not this time. It wasn’t like that.”

“Then explain what it was like,” Adrian said.

“They’ve been sleeping together,” Briggs declared.

Adrian’s head whipped around. Dash laughed. Briggs shrugged. Elizabeth gave me a thumbs-up.

“What the hell?” Adrian snapped.

“Wow. I was kind of joking.” Dash was genuinely amused now.

I didn’t know what to say. They all had their opinions on what had happened. Was Dash right? Had I just been chasing the one woman who didn’t immediately want me? Or was Adrian right and I had started the whole falling in love process?

“It doesn’t matter,” I said finally. “Because I fucked it all up. Like I fuck everything up. She’s not going to want anything to do with me after last night and that’s fine. That’s normal. It’s what I deserve. I’m clearly not supposed to have a serious girlfriend. Guys like me don’t get to fall in love.

“Sebastian, you don’t know that,” Adrian said.

But I didn’t want to hear it. Didn’t want their sympathy or their disappointment or their well-meaning advice.

Elizabeth jumped to her feet, hands on her hips, fire in her eyes. And a smidge of peanut butter in the corner of her mouth. “Okay, that’s enough. All of you need to stop.”

“Baby—” Adrian began.

She offered her husband a smile. “I love you, but zip it. You all need to shut up and listen to me.”

She walked into the center of the room, positioning herself between me and my brothers like a protective barrier.

“Sebastian has done an amazing job this week,” she said. “The campaign is incredible. The previews we’ve been posting on social media are getting insane responses. There’s a ton of buzz for the runway show. He stepped up, took responsibility, and executed a vision that’s going to launch my line beautifully. I have personally approved of everything he’s done. Even last night.”

“No one’s disputing he hasn’t done a good job on the campaign, but it’s not just about taking pictures,” Briggs said.

“And,” Elizabeth shot him a dirty look. “I’ve seen him with Bernadette. Watched them work together. Watched the way they look at each other. Sebastian wasn’t just chasing tail. I know the real thing when I see it. I just went through it with your brother, remember?” She looked at Adrian pointedly.

“That’s different,” Dash muttered.

“Why? Because Adrian’s the responsible one? Because Sebastian’s the playboy? People change. People grow. And maybe—just maybe—you should give your brother some credit instead of immediately assuming the worst.” She turned to me. “So lay off my little brother.”

“I’m older than you,” I pointed out.

“Not in spirit.” She grinned, then looked back at my brothers. “Snack buddies stick together. And I’m telling you, Sebastian’s been doing great. One mistake doesn’t erase a week of excellent work. And honestly, Adrian, if that had been me Rico was pawing, it would have taken twice as many men to pull you off.”

Adrian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re right. I’m sorry, Sebastian. We’re not trying to pile on. We’re just concerned. This is a big deal for the company. There were concerns going into the project and you kind of made them happen.”

“Trust me, the campaign is just fine,” I said. I, on the other hand, am not.

“Okay, well,” Adrian said, standing. “Sebastian, you need to figure things out with Bernadette. One way or another. Talk to her. Be honest. And for God’s sake, don’t punch anyone else.”

I stood as well. Elizabeth gave me a quick hug.

“Thanks for the backup,” I said.

“You’ve got this. Talk to her. I like her. I could totally see her being my sister and my baby’s aunt.”

“You might want to slow down,” Adrian said.

My first instinct was to agree with him and deny there was any chance that could happen, but honestly, that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.