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Caleb raises an eyebrow at Seth. ‘You’re sure you want to deal with this?’ He turns to me and shakes the bun at the top of my head. ‘See you in a few.’
I look back at Seth, who is silently watching us.
‘Ready for some lamb? If you don’t mind popping the Monte Bello, I’ll set up our main courses and finish off Caleb’s starter.’
‘He’s eating with us?’
‘I’m not sure. He wasn’t supposed to. He usually gets home much later.’
Caleb joins us just as Seth and I start our mains.
‘What are we having?’
‘Smoked sesame scallop and bacon salad starter and shredded lamb shoulder main.’
Caleb’s eyes widen. ‘Oooh, is that the one with the grassy root vegetables and the truffle mash?’
‘Foraged vegetables, no mash though,’ I say with a frown.
‘I’m sure it’ll be delicious, Aari. I’ll be in the study.’
I dish out his starter and main course. Balancing it all a bit precariously on a tray, he makes his way to the study. He returns briefly to grab the half-finished bottle of white wine.
‘Are you guys done with this?’
We both nod and, with that, he is gone.
‘He seems nice,’ Seth observes.
‘He takes a bit of getting used to, but he’s a decent guy.’
‘So, I was asking you to a concert,’ Seth says after we have finished our main course, with a slight edge to his voice.
‘I’d love to go, but not as your date, Seth. I’m still not there yet.’
‘I want to understand, but I don’t. We get along, we have loads in common and we have fun together. We should explore if there might be more.’
‘There isn’t, Seth. Not for me. I’m sorry.’
‘Oh come on, Ariella. You invite me round, you cook for me, you give me directions to your bedroom…’
‘You asked me to cook you dinner, so I did. I only told you where my bedroom was because I didn’t want you entering Caleb’s accidentally.’
Seth moves closer and I instinctively shift back.
‘Surely you feel something…’
‘I don’t. I mean, I do, but just as a friend. I like hanging out with you.’
‘Really? Not even…’
‘She said no, Seth,’ Caleb states calmly as he comes out of his study with his empty plates and cutlery. He places them in the dishwasher and walks right back into the study. We both watch him shut the door behind him.
‘This is embarrassing, I better leave,’ Seth says, getting up to retrieve his coat.
‘Seth, wait. I’m sorry. I like spending time with you and I don’t want to stop.’
‘I’m good on the friends front, Ariella, I don’t need any more. Am I stuck in that zone with you?’
