Page 15 of Looking for Seth

"That doesn't sound very sincere."

I let out a loud sigh. "It's sincere. I feel bad, but I'm not entirely sure which part of it I'm apologising for, or which part you're more hurt by." Considering that half-truths were what had gotten us to this point in the first place, I was going to do my best to be bluntly honest from this point forward.

He chuckled dryly, the sound surprisingly pleasant given the circumstances. "Helpful."

"I know. But it turns out I'm not very good at this."

"Despite all the speed dating experience?" Amusement crept into his tone.

"I suppose it's not as difficult when I don't feel that it could be something real." My voice came out as barely more than a whisper, but I knew that my words were true. It was easy to flirt with people I knew wouldn't result in anything. And it was almost even easier to do with people who I found attractive enough to pass a single night with. But when it came to Seth, things were different, and I worried that I'd lost my chance for something real.

He nodded.

"I know it'll take time, but I want to prove to you that you can trust me." I looked up at him, hoping he could see the truth of the matter in my eyes. It was important to me that he did.

He inhaled a sharp breath, as if he was turning things over in his mind and trying to work out where he stood on the matter. "Okay."

"Okay?" I echoed. "I don't know what you mean by that."

"I'll give you a chance," he said slowly.

I resisted the urge to let out a relieved sigh, realising that it probably wasn't a good look to do so. "I expected you to put up more of a fight," I admitted, unsure why I was saying that out loud. I shouldn't be risking upsetting the boat like that.

"Maybe I see the potential for something here," he said. "And you're right that I didn't tell you who I was either, so that does change things a little."

"Thank you. I think there's something here too."

He gave me a tentative smile. "There's one condition, though."

"Name it."

"There can't be any more secrets."

"No more," I promised.

"So, where did you see a photo of me?" he asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Baal had some magically redeveloped with magic. I won't pretend to understand it. But I was looking through them, and there were a few of you. I don't think anyone realised that I saw. Baal was showing off other photos, and Ptah was distracted..."

"By Bastet, no doubt." He gave a small chuckle.

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought you lived a life away from the other gods."

"I do. But they were together a long time ago. I think everyone assumed they'd find their way back to one another in time."

"Oh, well they have."

He nodded as if that was good news, though I had no idea why he'd think that. Neither Bastet nor Ptah seemed to think of Seth as a friend.

"So, should we have a better date than speed dating?" I asked. "Maybe something more private."

"You're the one who suggested speed dating," he pointed out.

"Well, there was a chance that you weren't who I thought you were."

He raised an eyebrow. "Or you thought that the stories were correct and that my anger would get the better of me," he muttered bitterly.

"No!" I reached out to touch his hand. "That never crossed my mind. I know that the stories are just that. They're not the real you."