There it was. Staring back at me. Making me look like a cheap hussy. A nasty, black mark about an inch below my ear. I was going to rip Luca’s balls off and stuff them down his throat. I was too old to be walking around town with a damn hickey on my neck.
By the time I stomped back out of the bathroom, I’d rubbed my neck raw. So now not only was there a dirty bloody hickey, but it was red and angry as well.
Making it back to the table, I flopped into my seat.
“Everything okay?” Luca asked, unable to hide the satisfied smile toying with his lips.
“No.”
“No?”
“You’ll pay for this,” I threatened, folding my arms over my chest and pouting.
“We’ll see.”
“Fucking brothers!” Bryce grumbled, slamming his phone down on the table, rattling the sugar packets, and breaking us out of our silent battle.
“What’s up?”
“Bloody Seth. This whole thing’s for him and he’s running late.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not, Luca. You’re doing this as a favour, and he can’t even be arsed to show up on time.”
Feeling the tension rise between them, I interfered. “Bryce, it’s fine. As long as I can order some food, it doesn’t matter.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Of course.”
While Bryce stewed, Luca and I argued over what to order. I think we were actually arguing just for the sake of arguing. When the waitress appeared, we placed our order, and I sat back looking forward to my strawberry milkshake. I might look like a five-year-old girl, but I didn’t give a flying fuck. I’d worked off those calories last night. I deserved a damn milkshake.
A young guy, who looked like Bryce, fell through the door, tripping over his own feet. Talk about making an entrance.
“Hey!” he announced loudly as he approached our table, wiping his hands on the front of his shirt.
He was adorable. Clumsy but adorable.
“Seth, you’re late,” Bryce scolded.
“Oh pfft. I’m not that late. Besides, how’s it my fault if some dumbarse crashed into a tram and blocked up the lines? Not like I could avoid it.”
He might’ve had a point, but I could see Bryce wasn’t buying it.
“Hi,” I greeted cheerily.
“Hey, gorgeous. I’m Seth.”
“Elise,” I replied extending my hand.
When Seth’s hand met with mine, I felt something sticky and gross but stayed silent. It was obvious Bryce wasn’t exactly impressed by him right now, so I doubted saying anything would help. “Good to meet you. Nice hickey, by the way.”
“Seth!” Bryce scolded, and beside me Luca snickered. Arsehole was proud of himself. He’d keep.
“What?”
“Sit down and shut up before you embarrass yourself. Or me.”
