Page 81 of Second Chance with Seth

“Yes, but don’t worry. It was never gonna happen.”

“So, you said ‘no’?”

“Of course I did. She took a little convincing that I really meant it, but I suppose that’s easy enough to understand. I’d hardly discouraged her before, had I?”

“No,” she says, the sadness in her voice taking my breath away.

“I made it clear today, though, I promise.”

“You told her you weren’t interested?”

“I told her I never had been… that logic should have told her that if I’d wanted her, I would have been in touch during the last twelve months.”

“What did she say to that?”

“Nothing. Of course, I realized that if she’d really been that interested in me, she could have called… and she didn’t.”

“Which means?”

“She’s not serious about me, babe. If she was, she’d have made the effort, just like I would.”

“Hmm… I see what you mean.”

“I made sure she understood I’m off limits, though.”

“How?”

“I told her I’m in love with you, and that’s never gonna change. I—I think that pissed her off.”

“Oh dear. What a shame.”

I chuckle at her sarcasm and lean in, pulling her hand closer. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

“Are we okay?”

She nods her head. “Thank you for telling me.”

“I’ll be honest, I was scared one of the local gossips might get to you first, but I’d have told you, anyway.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. My fear just meant I had the quickest shower of my life before running back here.”

“Well… fortunately, you made it in time.”

“Yeah, I did.”

I raise her hand, kissing her fingers this time, just as the people on the next table get up. “I should get back to work,” she says, standing too. “Your breakfast won’t be much longer.”

“I don’t mind waiting.”

She smiles down at me before she turns and rushes over to the counter, where there are two sets of customers waiting to be served.

“French toast and bacon,” Owen says, placing a plate in front of me and adding a jug of warm maple syrup. “Can I get you some more coffee?”

“Yes, please.” He takes my cup, returning within moments, having topped it up.

---