“Cool. I guess she and Dillon are really getting serious.”
“Yeah, you could say that. An engagement is a big deal.”
“Well, you let me know if you need any help with your stuff.”
I was surprised by his offer. “Oh? I might hold you to that.” I let out a relieved breath that he seemed to be in a good mood, and I hoped I didn’t wreck the evening when he asked me to explain what happened.
“I thought we’d go to eat somewhere outside of town. I’m a little tired of the food around here. If that’s okay?”
“Sure, I don’t really know of any places, so you’ll have to surprise me.”
“There’s one place that’s about twenty-five minutes away if you don’t mind the drive.”
“It’s a nice night for it,” I said. I loved being in his Jeep with him, especially when he took the top off. “I’ll just be a minute.” I went to the bedroom, added a little extra perfume, and dropped my lip gloss in my bag. I didn’t wear much makeup as it was, but I needed the gloss, especially since I refused to wear heavy lipstick. It always got on my teeth when I’d tried.
When I walked back to the living room, I found him looking at the photos under the glass coffee table. “Wow, your family must have traveled a lot growing up.” He turned his eyes to look up at me, and his mouth fell open.
“Yeah, we did travel a lot until our parents split up, and Mom couldn’t afford it. Dad wanted us to go places with him, but that never worked. Neither of us wanted to go anywhere with his new girlfriend.”
“Oh.” Seth looked surprised. “I’m sorry I brought it up. You look gorgeous by the way.”
“Thank you,” I said, feeling the blush rise to my cheeks.
“And I hope I didn’t hit a sore spot.” He gestured to the photos.
“No, it’s cool. I’m used to the fact that they divorced. It’s Clara who has the problems with it. She still hates my dad. I don’t hate him. I just don’t let him bother me as much.”
Seth nodded. “That’s probably why she hates me, if she’s listened to the rumors.”
“You promised you’d tell me if there was any truth to those, remember?”
“Let’s get going to the restaurant first. I don’t want you to lose your appetite.” He didn’t look too proud of himself as he held out his hand. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah.” I didn’t usually carry a handbag many places, but I had a small clutch with a wrist strap that I carried along for my ID and lip gloss, as well as my keys. I picked it up and went to the door.
After I locked up, Seth walked me to the Jeep and opened the door before walking around to get in on his side. I was settled in my seat before he did, and as he climbed in, his cologne hit my nose. “You smell good.”
“I was going to tell you the same thing.” He laughed and met my eyes. “Do you want to know now or later?”
“How about I go first?” I thought I might save him the trouble. He might turn us around and bring me home.
He seemed a little hesitant. “Let me at least buy you dinner before we get to confessing too much?”
“Okay. Let’s talk about our day instead.”
Seth smiled. “Mine didn’t start off as good as it ended. That’s for sure.”
I smiled, knowing he was happy to be with me. “I had a dull morning too. I had a dental cleaning before I went to class for my test. I think I aced it no problem. And I went to practice and took a run with the most handsome guy in town.”
Seth laughed, but he took a breath and glanced my way. “Some of the rumors are true, Avery.” The smile faded from his face. “The truth is, I didn’t treat Layla well, and yes, I did mess around when things started going south for us. I’m not proud of it, and I have apologized for it.”
That wasn’t easy to hear. “It was a long time ago, wasn’t it?”
“Well, not that long ago, but I feel like I’ve learned to be better. And I understand if you have a problem with that, but I’m trying not to be that guy ever again.”
“I believe in second chances,” I said, taking him by surprise. “But just in case you think you can do that to me, you can’t. And I’m ordering the most expensive thing on the menu, and you’re going to have to be as understanding about what I have to tell you over dinner.”
“I’m surprised you still feel like eating.”
“Hell yeah. You and Layla had your problems, and while I have to admit it does sting a little hearing you confess that to me, I know that doesn’t have to be us. If you don’t want it to be. I mean, I don’t want it to be, and I won’t let it be. I’m not going to put up with that bullshit at all.”
“I’d never expect you to, nor would I do that to you. It was stupid. I know I could keep telling you that I’m trying to do better, but I’d rather show you instead. If you’ll give me a chance.”
“Of course.” I had wanted to give him the benefit of that chance since I heard the rumors.
Our conversation fell quiet, and after a while, I reached over and put my hand on his. Seth smiled at me and told me about his day.
We arrived at the restaurant, which was called Sage and a lot nicer of a place than I expected. “How did you find out about this place?” I asked as the hostess sat us at a table. I wondered if he had brought Layla there before me.
“I drove past it one day and thought about bringing you.” He gave a shrug like it was nothing, but I thought it was the sweetest thing in the world.
“Well, it’s really great. Thank you.”
“Let’s order the food first, and we’ll be the judge of that.” He gave a laugh as the waiter came to the table.
The man’s name was Henry, and despite his thick southern accent, he managed to pronounce some of the menu specials better than I could have.
We quickly placed our orders, and when Henry left, Seth took my hand. “I need you to know something about me, Avery. I’m kind of impatient. And I really want to know what I did to upset you. Because I don’t want to do it again.”
I could tell he really meant it. “You hurt my feelings.”
He frowned and looked down at the table. “I’m sorry, Avery.” He glanced up and met my eyes. “I didn’t realize I’d done anything that would do that.”
“Well, that may be my fault because instead of confronting you about it and starting a big stink, I just let you think I was tired and had you take me home.”
He looked as if a light went off inside him. “The movies. That’s why you didn’t let me come in. I don’t know what happened.”
“It was after. At the Omega House. I overheard you and your friend talking about me and saying how I was a tomboy and liked girls.”
Seth’s eyes widened. His shoulders slumped as he sank in his seat. It was as if the wind was knocked out of him. “I’m sorry. I was just goofing around, Avery. I don’t think about those things.”
“But you didn’t correct them either. Instead, you said you were hoping for a threesome and laughed it up with your friend.”
“Look, I never cared what your sexuality is. As long as you like me, that’s all I care about.”