28. Seth
28
SETH
"H ave you talked to her?" I can't help myself. I've been staring at the same spreadsheet for twenty minutes, my mind wandering to curves and soft lips, the way she felt pressed between us that night. These quarterly reports aren't holding my attention worth a damn.
Corey looks up from his desk, playing it cool like always. "Who?"
"Don't play dumb. Abbie." Just saying her name sends a rush through me.
"Ah." A small smile dances on his lips, that knowing look he gets when he thinks he's got everything figured out. "Some texts here and there."
"That's it?" My pen taps against the desk, a nervous habit I can't shake. "Haven't seen her since...?"
"Since that night? A couple of times." He straightens his tie, all proper and controlled like usual. "Trying to give her space. Process things."
"Process what exactly? She seemed pretty into it." The sound of her moans floods back, the way she trembled, how perfectly she fit. I shift in my chair, trying to focus on anything else. "Hell, more than into it."
"It's different for women." Always the voice of reason, our Corey, though I'm starting to think he's just as affected as I am.
"Maybe she needs reassurance. Show her it wasn't just a one-time thing." I clear my throat. "Unless it was?"
Corey's eyes narrow. "Why the sudden interest?"
"Just looking out for you, man." I can't believe I'm lying to my friend and business partner "Why not have her over for dinner? Your place, keep it casual."
"Dinner." He mulls it over. "Could work."
"Your cooking might seal the deal." I force a laugh. "Better than another night at the speakeasy."
"True." He pulls out his phone. "Maybe I'll text her now."
My stomach knots. What the hell am I doing? Setting up my best friend with a woman I can't stop thinking about.
"Done." He sets the phone down. "Thanks for the suggestion."
"Anytime." I turn back to my spreadsheet, the numbers blurring together.
The door swings open and Chandler strolls in, his designer shoes clicking against the hardwood. My jaw clenches. Perfect timing, as always.
"Dad! Seth!" He drops into the chair beside me, reeking of expensive cologne. "What's up?"
"Working." Corey's tone shifts to that careful neutrality he uses with his son. "Something you need?"
"Did I hear dinner plans?" Chandler leans forward, eyes bright. "Perfect timing. There's this girl I've been seeing-"
"It's a private thing." I'm surprised at my gruff tone of voice. What the devil is wrong with me?
"Come on! I want to introduce her to Dad." He flashes that practiced smile. "She'll love the house. And I promise we'll behave."
Corey shoots me a look that says 'what now?' I return a subtle shrug. We both know how this goes - tell him no and he'll sulk for weeks, probably pitch a hissy that we won't hear the end of.
"I'll need to check with my date first," Corey says, already typing on his phone. "See what works for her schedule."
My fingers drum against the armrest. The thought of Abbie and Chandler in the same room makes my skin crawl. I don't even know why I care so much.
"A date?" Chandler leans forward, suddenly interested. "Since when do you date? I thought you just..." He waves his hand vaguely.
I watch Corey's jaw clench. The temperature in the room drops ten degrees.
"Friday would work," Corey says, ignoring his son's implications. "She mentioned having the weekend off."
"Perfect!" Chandler claps his hands together. "I'll bring Jessica. Or was it Jennifer? Whatever, she's hot."
I take a slow breath, trying to think about anything but Abbie in the same room as this entitled brat. The way he talks about women makes my skin crawl.
"What's she like?" Chandler props his feet up on the desk. "Is she young? Please tell me she's not another museum curator or whatever."
"She's..." Corey pauses, choosing his words carefully. "She tends bar."
"A bartender?" Chandler's look is incredulous. "Seriously? Like, at a real bar?"
"The speakeasy downtown." The words leave my mouth before I can stop them.
"Oh shit, that new place?" Chandler sits up straight. "I heard it's impossible to get in. Hook me up on the guest list!"
"No." Corey and I speak in unison.
Chandler holds up his hands. "Fine, fine. But Friday's on? I want to meet this woman who's got Dad all worked up."
I watch Corey nod, already regretting this whole situation. Something about his interest in the speakeasy doesn't sit right.
"I'll call Donovan too," Corey says, reaching for his phone again. "Make it a proper dinner party."
Perfect. Just what this disaster needs - another alpha male in the mix. I massage my temples, watching Corey dial.
"Don, hey. Friday night at my place? Bringing Mindy?" Corey's voice shifts to that easy camaraderie he only uses with his oldest friend. "Yeah, Abbie will be there. And Seth. And... Chandler's coming with his new girlfriend."
The pause that follows speaks volumes. I can practically hear Donovan's hesitation through the phone.
"I know, I know." Corey pinches the bridge of his nose. "But it is what it is."
Chandler beams, oblivious to the subtext. He's already texting - probably to the flavor of the week, making plans.
"Great, see you then." Corey hangs up and addresses the room. "Donovan and Mindy are in."
"Sweet!" Chandler jumps up. "This is gonna be epic. Dad's new girlfriend, good food, fancy wine-"
"It's just dinner," I cut in, my voice sharper than intended. "Not one of your ridiculous frat parties."
"What about you, Seth?" Chandler turns to me with that shit-eating grin. "Bringing anyone special?"
"You know me." I sit stiffly in my chair, forcing casual indifference. "Always fly solo. Keep my options open."
"Man, you're missing out. Should see the twins that just started at my gym-"
"I'm good." My tone cuts him off. The last thing I need is dating advice from this overgrown frat boy.
"Your loss." Chandler shrugs, gathering his things. "Friday's gonna be lit though. Can't wait to see what kind of bartender caught Dad's attention."
I gather my papers, avoiding Corey's eyes. The thought of Friday night sends electricity through my veins - seeing Abbie again, watching her react to this circus I helped create.
"Later!" Chandler calls over his shoulder as he saunters out.
I stand, briefcase in hand. "I should head out too. Early meeting tomorrow."
"Seth." Corey's voice stops me at the door. "Thanks for having my back with this dinner thing."
"Always." The word sounds insincere, even to my ears.
I stride to the elevator, already counting the hours until Friday night. Three days. Just three days until I see her again.