I’d been trying to put the whole painful experience behind me, but it seemed like that was maybe a little too much to ask. “Minimum wage isn’t enough for that.”
“What happened?”
“People suck.” I shrugged.
“People with money do, and you’re in fancy pants area.”
“Yeah. The self-importance is high, that’s for sure.”
“Well, go out and have some fun. You’ve earned it.”
“Thanks, Isaac. I will.”
“You working tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Afternoon shift. You?”
“Morning.”
“Well, we’ll coordinate schedules at some point so we can catch up properly.” I tried not to sound disappointed. Isaac was a pain in the arse, but he was also my best friend. He hadn’t been home last night when I’d got back so I hadn’t had a chance to debrief about what happened while I was home, and until now, I hadn’t realised how much I needed it. Isaac was the perfect person to unload on. He’d understand. He wouldn’t judge. Well, he would, but he’d also back me every step of the way.
“Definitely.” He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him before giving me a noogie. Some days I think he actually forgets I’m not one of the guys.
“Enjoy your date, Claire Bear.”
“How’d you…”
“He just pulled in.” With a loud slap on my arse, he sauntered off leaving me standing there wondering what the fuck just happened. They said girls were confusing, guys were not much better. At least none of the guys I knew.
Ducking back into my room, I ran a brush through my hair again, checked the window, and then headed for the front door. As I was reaching for the knob, my phone vibrated in my hand, and I dropped it to the floor. Even though there was a case on it, of course it fell screen first onto the tiles. Sucking in a deep breath, I prepared myself to pick it up and find a smashed screen. When I grabbed it though, I briefly considered the option that maybe my luck was changing. There wasn’t a mark on it. I could barely believe it.
Seth:Times up
As the smile stretched my lips, a knock on the door behind me made me jump. Clutching at my chest, I yanked it open only to find every girl’s dream staring back at me. This guy made my knees weak. Dressed in a distressed pair of jeans, runners, and a navy polo, he looked casual and sexy all in the same moment. But his appearance still wasn’t giving me any clues.
“Hi,” he greeted through the screen.
“Hi,” I replied dumbly.
“You ready? We need to get moving.”
Pulling the strap of my bag over my shoulder, I nodded, opened the door, and stepped out into the warmth of the fading sun. Following Seth down the stairs, I caught a whiff of his cologne and it made me giggly.
When Seth pulled open the passenger side door on his Range Rover, he looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Maybe I had. “What’s so funny? Have I got something…” he started swatting at his butt as if he’d sat in something.
After letting him fret for a few seconds, I put him out of his misery. “No. No. It’s nothing, I’m just…”
“A little bit crazy?” he offered with a smile, closing the door and jogging around the front of the car before sliding behind the wheel.
“Maybe just a bit,” I confirmed as he backed out into traffic.
We drove for five minutes, and I still had no idea where we were headed. I’d assumed we were going to a pub or out for dinner or something. Or maybe that was just my rumbling stomach and a bit of wishful thinking.
“Where are we going?” I asked again.
“Well…”
“That sounds ominous.”
