Page 26 of Shrouded in the Dark

The smells that came from the kitchen made my mouth water. My stomach growled in agreement.

“We need garlic bread too.” I placed my hands on the counter as I looked up at the bright menu overhead. “Oo, garlic knots? Even better.”

“Garlic knots it is,” Seth laughed as he pulled out his card when the cashier came forward. He ordered several extra-large pizzas, the garlic knots, and two gallons of sweet tea. My eyes widened at the amount that displayed on the register.

“Let me help pay.” I dug in my pocket for my wallet but Seth placed his hand over my arm. It was warm and sent a tingle up it.

“This is our treat. Don’t worry about it. Besides, most of this? We’ll eat it all. You’ll probably have to fight for two pieces,” he chuckled.

“It’ll be ready in about thirty to forty-five minutes. Would you like a soda while you wait?” The cashier smiled at Seth. She looked to be in her early thirties and was obviously flirting.

“No, but thanks. We’ll be back to pick them up.” Seth smiled at her politely and grabbed my hand to pull me out the door.

“She was totally flirting with you.” We started to walk down the sidewalk toward the café. His hand still held mine and I looked down at it, surprised that I wasn’t having an attack.

“Yeah. Well, I was with you. It’s rude for someone to flirt with another person if they’re obviously with someone else.” He just brushed it off.

My brows went up in surprise, but we’d gotten to the café and went inside. I squeezed his hand gently before pulling it back. He glanced down at me but I ignored his look as I went to the counter.

“I’d like a cherry vanilla steamer and whatever this tall guy wants.”

Seth snorted as he came to stand next to me. He ordered a macchiato. As we sat at a table near the counter, I sat back in the chair.

“Back to flirting. We’re not really together, so why was there an issue?” It wasn’t often that I ran into a guy with manners like Seth. I was honestly curious.

He shrugged. “She didn’t know that.” His answer was blunt and honest. I grinned at him.

“Seth, I like you. I hope we can be friends. I have a feeling you don’t bullshit.”

He settled back into his chair with his legs sprawled out where they were on either side of my own chair. He was certainly confident with his body. I tended to curl in on myself in public but Seth just seemed to spread out in his own space with not a care in the world. Maybe I could learn from him to be that confident.

“I don’t. Bullshit that is.” His azure eyes seemed even clearer as the light came through the window. “I’d like that. I don’t have many friends outside of the guys. It’s a sausage fest with them already.”

I choked on my laughter as our drinks were finished. Seth stood before I could get up and grabbed them. He set mine in front of me as he settled back in his chair again, sipping his macchiato.

“Some men would like that. Just saying.” I took a sip of my steamer and sighed happily. Nostalgia flooded my senses for a brief moment again.

Seth shook his head at me with curved lips as he sipped his own drink. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing. It’s just nice to have someone…” He struggled for the right word.

“With boobs?” I hid my smirk behind my cup.

Seth threw his head back in a deep laugh. It sent a pleasant shiver down my back and I noticed that others in the café glanced over at him. His laughter was contagious because others were soon smiling before going back to their conversation.

“You sayI’mblunt.” His laughter trickled off as he shook his head. “But yes. Having a girl around is a welcome change.” He glanced out the window. “I had a question. Your stepdad.”

Oh boy. Here it comes. “Okay.”

“You told Jasper that he believes in things not human.” He was trying to be tactful and kept his voice low.

“Yeah?”

“What are your thoughts?” His stare was direct and pointed. It made me shift in my seat. Having his direct attention was a little overwhelming. He was a beautiful man and anyone would squirm if he looked at them directly.

“My thoughts? About my stepdad? I love him and my siblings.” I sighed. “If you mean if I believe as he does? I don’t not believe. I mean, it’s a big universe.”

His eyes narrowed before he nodded once at me. “Not a bad way to look at it.” He stood just as I was about to ask him his opinion. He’d finished his macchiato and threw it in the recycling can. “We should head back to get the pizzas.” He held out his hand to me.

I took it without thinking. He helped pull me up and threaded his fingers between mine. He was very touchy; it was kind of cute. My anxiety wasn’t flaring up, so I was going with it. Touch was comforting and I didn’t get to enjoy it as often as some. My drink wasn’t done, so I took it with us as we started down the sidewalk again.