As I started to crumple inside, Seb moved beside me on the bed and put his arm around me. I rested my head on his shoulder gratefully; it felt strong against my cheek. “I shouldn’t – I shouldn’t let you do this,” I got out as I started to cry. “I can’t expect you to comfort me when I’m in love with someone else; it’s too much—”

“Be quiet and let me hold you,” he said firmly.

We sat like that without talking for a long time, Seb’s hand stroking my arm as I cried, his cheek against my hair. I concentrated only on externals: the comforting warmth of him as I pressed against him; the slight prickle of his stubble; his clean, woodsy smell. And I tried hard not to think of anything at all.

Finally he smoothed the hair away from my face and said, “The others will be coming upstairs soon...will you be all right?”

I nodded and sat up a little, wiping my eyes. “I’ll be fine.”

His gaze scanned mine; he knew I wouldn’t be. Not really. “I wish I could stay here with you tonight,” he said.

“I know. I’ll be okay.”

Seb’s mouth moved in something that tried to be a smile. His arm still around me, he leaned close and kissed my hair, his lips warm as they pressed briefly against my head. I could feel how much he cared – the depth of it embraced me, held me close. Something fluttered inside of me; I pushed it away and closed my eyes, letting Seb’s kiss comfort me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered.

“Okay,” I said. “And Seb – thanks.”

He rolled his eyes as he stood up. “You would have had to board up the door to keep me out, querida.”

I hugged my knees to myself, watching as he started across the room – so different from Alex, with his loosely curling brown hair, but his back and shoulders just as firm. As he reached for the door, it swung open.

Kara stood there.

Her eyebrows shot up as she took in Seb, me, the empty room around us. She didn’t say anything, and neither did Seb – I saw him start to, and then I think he realized it was pointless; Kara was not going to be too interested in anything he had to say. Instead he glanced back at me. I knew he was saying I’ll see you tomorrow again with his eyes, and I nodded.

As he left, Kara came in and shut the door. She lounged against it, crossing her ankles. “Well,” she said. “That looked interesting.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet,” I said shortly. I unfolded myself from my bed and slid open my dresser drawer, taking out my pyjamas.

“So...are you with Seb now?”