Page 20 of Only Be Mine

“Whoa, careful,” a warm voice said. “Hallway sneak attack.”

It was Seth. Of course it was…

Up close, he had an easy grin, trouble written all over him, and the energy of a man who had spent a lot of money on things that lit up, beeped, or came with limited-edition packaging.

“Sorry,” I said, stepping aside.

“Don’t be. It’s not every day I almost get taken out by a pretty girl in a hallway.” He leaned in slightly, like he could charm me by osmosis.

I raised a brow. “Is this your opening line or your backup line?”

His grin widened. “I’ve got better ones if you’re staying.”

“Tempting,” I said dryly, “but I’m actually…”

“Hey!”

John’s voice cut through the noise. I glanced toward our booth. He was standing, one hand on the back of the seat, watching us.

Something in his posture had gone still and sharp.

Seth followed my gaze. “You with him?” he asked, jerking his chin in John’s direction.

My lips twitched. “Maybe.”

He dragged a hand down his face. “Great. Fantastic. I literally just hit on my best friend’s possible future wife. He’s going to have a field day with this.”

I froze. “Future what?”

Seth perked up instantly. “Oh, right, you’re new. Fun. I’m Seth.”

He stuck out his hand. I shook it because refusing felt like it would cause more chaos.

From the booth, John yelled, “Seth! Stop traumatizing people!”

Seth pointed at him like, see? This is what I deal with, then lowered his voice conspiratorially. “Don’t tell him I hit on you. He’ll say it was predictable. And rude. And that he warned you.”

“You’re doing a great job selling yourself as a person worth knowing,” I deadpanned.

He grinned wider. “You should see me with a controller in my hand.”

“Please don’t ever say that to a woman again.”

“Noted,” he winked. Actually winked…

He gestured toward the booth. “Come on. Let’s go pretend you didn’t reject me in a hallway.”

“I didn’t…”

But he was already walking.

When we reached the table, Seth slid into the seat opposite John and said, loudly, “Hey buddy, I met your girl.”

John choked on his drink. “She’s not…”

“I know, I know,” Seth cut in. “She’s not your girl. Yet.”

I covered my face with both hands.