Page 59 of Hard Rock Love

20

The next week without Seth was one of the most boring I’d ever experienced. I hadn’t realized just how much fun and excitement Seth had brought into my life until he was no longer there. His cheery, enthusiastic personality made even the most mundane of things, like eating breakfast, interesting.

I did get a lot of studying done at least, and I felt prepared for the exams I had coming up. Seth had his priorities and I had mine. I wasn’t going to let a boy get in the way of my grades and scholarships, no matter how much I liked him.

Besides, as much as it would stroke his ego, I knew Seth wouldn’t want me spending my free time just lying around pining after him, either.

Later that next week, when my phone pinged, I immediately lunged off the bed to fumble at my nightstand where I’d put it facedown. I prepared myself for disappointment. It could have just been a spam text. But when I flipped my phone over and looked at the screen, my heart soared. Seth had a free evening and wanted to know if I was free for dinner.

I typed inof course!!!Then I thought better of it and went back to delete the exclamation points before sending off the message. I reminded him that I’d offered to pay, so he suggested I choose the place.

I knew exactly where I wanted to bring him.

Seth picked me up in front of my apartment and came to the door to greet me. I smoothed down my dress before opening it.

“Wow,” were the first words out of his mouth as it hung slightly agape, eyes roving my body. “I like that dress.”

“Thank you,” I said, pleased to see his reaction. It was a cute little thing, dark blue with a sweetheart neckline that fell just short of my knees.

“I’d like it even more if it were on the floor,” he continued.

Heat flowed to my cheeks and my stomach quivered. I had to stop reacting this way every time Seth said something suggestive.

“Save that thought for later,” I said, teasing. I put my arm in his and let him escort me to his car.

“So where are we going?” Seth asked.

“It’s a place calledOne Eighty,” I told him. “They’ve got some dishes I think you’ll find interesting.”

“Interesting?” Seth repeated. “I’m not sure that’s the word I want to hear when I’m going to be eating.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure and daring?” I asked.

“Are you questioning my daring?” he asked. “You are aware I once rode a motorcycle into a pool?”

“Then you shouldn’t be afraid of a place that serves invisible ravioli.”

“Wait,what?” Seth turned his head to me, questioning.

“Eyes on the road,” I admonished.

“Do you mean the ravioli is so good it disappears from the plate because I’m eating it so fast?” he asked, trying to wrap his head around the concept.

“You’ll see when we get there.”

I’d never been to the place before myself, but I’d read lots of reviews online and seen photos of the menu, so I knew Seth was going to be in for a real treat.

The place wasn’t fancy and high class, no waitstaff in formal suits and ties. It looked more like the inside of some hippie artist’s warehouse-converted loft. I’d made reservations for a more private table at the back, so the hostess took us right to our seats without waiting.

Seth pulled out my chair for me to sit, like a proper gentleman.

“Still trying to win that award?” I asked.

“You’re too easily impressed,” he said. “Wait until I really lay on the charm. I’ll be irresistible.”

You already are,I thought.

We picked up the single page menu. It only had about a dozen dishes, but they all looked as interesting as I’d hoped.