Page 38 of Minor Trouble
“It’s not you,” I sniffled. “I think I like him too, but my boss gave such a hard time about what might be going on between us that I’m not sure if I should go there.”
“What’s the harm in finding out? You two seem to have such a strong bond already, it would be a shame to waste it.”
“You know what, Marlena? You’re right. I should at least give it a chance.” I hugged my landlord who had just dished out better advice than my mother ever could.
Seth: What are you doing Friday night?
I’d stared at the message about a million times before answering. Since Noah and Pepper’s thwarted runaway attempt, I’d tried to avoid Seth and work out my true feelings for him, burying myself in work and focusing on the other students who needed my help.
Ainsley: Why do you ask?
I knew I was being obtuse, but I didn’t want to make any assumptions.
Seth: I’ve managed to persuade Kaley to let Pepper come out with me and Noah and I hoped you could join us…
Knowing how Kaley had been so dead against Seth, I was pleased she was still letting the kids hang out together. Even though I hadn’t responded, he messaged again.
Seth: There’s a trivia night at CC’s. Some of my friends are going and I know Pepper would like you to be there.
Pepper and I hadn’t met since she’d attempted to run away. Sure, it had only been a few days, but I didn’t know what was going on with her or how her parents’ divorce was shaping up. If Kaley was allowing her to go out with Noah, I guessed not well.
Seth: I’ll even let you win!
Despite myself, I smiled. A trivia night, in a public place with the kids, couldn’t hurt anyone, right?
Ainsley: I’m holding you to that. What time?
Seth: Seven sharp. I’ll save you a seat xx
Ainsley: See you then.
I agonized over whether to add a kiss to my last message, then thought better of it, and switched my phone off before I could get more involved.
The days until Friday dragged. I went to work, came home, did paperwork, watched television, then went to bed. I’d like to say I slept, but on more than one occasion I found myself wide awake thinking about Seth. When I’d come to Cali Cross, a relationship wasn’t on my agenda. Finding someone I clicked with, who I cared about, had come as a surprise, particularly since he came with so much baggage. But I cared about Noah too. I didn’t want to hurt the teenage boy any more than he had been already in the past few months.
So that night, I planned to go out, enjoy myself and have a good time, leaving everything in the hands of fate. Having checked in with Lyla about CC’s, I took my time deciding what to wear. Finally landing on my favorite black skinny jeans, a pale pink flouncy top with a tiny black pattern through it, heeled boots and my cream leather biker jacket, I cut the right look between casual and sexy. Underneath, only I knew I wore a lacy black thong and matching push-up bra. The outfit boosted my confidence, and I was ready to face Seth for the first time in days.
The Uber dropped me outside the bar. I wanted to be able to have a glass of wine or two without having to worry about driving home. The low hum of noise came from inside, and I took a deep breath before heading through the door.
The place was already filling up, the majority of tables and booths already taken. I scanned the crowd, looking for Seth. He spotted me first, waving me over to where they sat. As I strode across the room, his gaze never left me, drinking in every inch of my outfit. I licked my lips, almost removing all the lip gloss I’d painstakingly put on.
“Hey.” He jumped up and embraced me, placing an awkward kiss on my cheek. “You’re here.”
Noah and Pepper grinned and waved, and Maddox nodded.
Lyla smiled and gestured to the chair next to her. “Come sit here. We can share all the reality TV knowledge they won’t have a clue about.” She reached over for the bottle of wine in the middle of the table. “Want some?”
“Please.”
She poured me a modest glass, and I gratefully took a sip, turning my attention to the others at the table. “I’ve not seen you much this week, Pepper. How are things?”
Pepper pushed a strand of green hair behind her ear and blinked. “Dad’s moving out tonight, which is why I’m here. Mom decided it would be better for me to be out of the house while all that’s going on.”
I glanced over at Seth, who was watching the two of us intently. “And here’s me thinking you managed to persuade Kaley Smart you weren’t such a bad person after all,” I directed at him.
“What can I say?” He flashed me a grin. “I don’t know where I get this reputation from…”
Lyla hooted. “There are so many people we can ask!”
