Page 17 of Looking for Seth

"Did you really not know who I was when we first matched?" Seth asked, taking me off guard.

"What?" I echoed.

"When we matched on the dating app," he said slower. "You said you didn't know who I was at first."

"I didn't." I tried not to let my surprise come through my voice. I wasn't sure why he was asking, but I liked that it could open up a conversation between us about the elephant in the room. I thought it would take longer for us to broach the subject.

I turned so I could see him better, and so that he could watch the expression on my face. I knew it would be better if he could assess my mannerisms properly and come to his own conclusions about the truth I was telling.

"Why did you go on the dating app in the first place?" he asked before I could start trying to explain.

But that was okay, I was happy to take the conversation at his pace.

"It was Bastet who suggested I did it," I admitted. "I've been going to speed dating events for months, and I've found people there who were entertaining for a night, or even for a week, but something felt like it was missing. And then Bastet and Ptah got back together, and I just felt lonely. I wanted someone who I could share more than just a casual fling with. I've been alone for most of my life and I suppose I've just reached the point where I don't want that anymore."

He chuckled. "A few thousand years is how long it takes gods to mature and settle down, then?"

A small smile lifted at the corners of my lips. "Apparently so. Unless you're Bastet and Ptah."

"Nope, they broke up in the middle. It still counts." He grinned as if he'd found the best loophole he could imagine.

Amusement dashed through me. "That's fair, they did make a mess of the middle bit," I agreed. "So why did you go on the app?"

"The same reason, I suppose. I was lonely, and I wanted to connect with someone."

"And you went on a mixed dating app because..."

"I didn't want to be matched with another god," he said.

"It's a mixed app," I pointed out. "And only has paranormals and gods on it."

"Plus some immortals, I imagine," he responded. "But I assumed that not many gods are actually on it. Most of them use Jinx's more expensive services."

"Well, they weren't getting me anywhere, and I refuse to get matched up with someone by Cupid."

He laughed. "That's fair."

"It's ironic that you matched with me, if you didn't want to attract a god."

"Or maybe like attracts like." He shrugged. "I suppose to some extent, it makes sense."

I cocked my head to the side. "What does?" I reached for a glass of water and took a deep drink, mostly for something to do so I don't keep staring at him.

"That two gods would find themselves attracted to one another. I suppose that we automatically share some similar worldviews."

"So you are attracted to me?"

"Is that what you're focusing on?"

"That's all you really said," I pointed out.

He sighed. "Yes. I'm attracted to you. You're beautiful, Menhit."

"Most goddesses are."

"I didn't mean on the outside, though you are there too. I meant inside." The earnestness with which he said it made me certain he was telling the truth. And that it truly meant something.

"Oh." Warmth spread through me at his admission. "Even if I hid who I was from you?"