Page 104 of Rookie Attraction

“Massage time for Finn. He’s stiff,” Cody replies and turns to me. “Think about my offer.”

“I will.”

Sel glances at Cody, then back at me. Sel’s expression is closed off, like it was in practice. I’m confused. Is this for show again?

“Meantime, I’m going to get the table ready. See you in a few, Finn,” Cody says, then offers a nod to Sel and walks off.

Only, as soon as Cody’s out of sight, Sel leans back against the wall, crosses his arms, and clenches his jaw. Those deep-set eyes flare again, and it’s all aimed at me.

“You two are chummy,” he grumbles.

“He’s a great guy. Easy to talk to.”

“What was his offer?” Sel asks, only now he’s looking down at the floor.

“Oh, to uh, show me around the city.”

Sel’s head snaps up.

“I haven’t taken much of my time off to do that,” I continue, and Sel’s intense stare is starting to make me sweat. “Not that we’ve had a lot of time off, but still, it was nice of him to offer.”

“A tour guide?” Sel huffs and shakes his head. “Right. He was flirting with you, Finn.”

I laugh at his suggestion. “You need to hydrate; you’re clearly imagining things.”

“I know flirting when I see it.”

No one’s around in the hallway, so I take a chance and step up close to Sel.

“He’s a professional. He’s not gonna risk his job here—which he loves—by trying to hook up with a player.”

“Why not? We’re doing the same.”

“That’s different.”

“How?”

“With you, it’s more than⁠—”

Flirting. Sex. Just say the words.

But if Sel doesn’t feel the same…

“Remember that first day I stopped by your place?” I ask. “Was Cody flirting with you when he gave you a massage?”

“Of course not.”

I cross my arms. “The way he was smiling at you, I thought maybe you and he had⁠—”

“He’s just friendly that way.”

I stare at him and shake my head.

“Okay, you made your point.” Sel sighs and rubs a hand over his head. “Sorry. Jesus, I’m acting like a jerk. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

I don’t know either. I find it difficult to believe that Sel is jealous.

“Cody knows I’m new to big city life,” I add. “And I have limited time.”