Page 22 of Sit, Stay, Love
Tia: OMG! HE TOTALLY LIKES YOU!
Sera shoved the phone in her bag.
‘Not a rescue emergency I hope?’ he asked.
She shook her head. ‘It’s nothing.’ But she couldn’t ignore the way her heart skipped.
Sera and Ethan sat on the restaurant balcony overlooking the beauty of a sun-soaked Manly Beach. The laughter of children drifted up from thesand below them, and a rhythmic thwack floated on the breeze from the bikini-clad volleyball players in the distance. A row of surfers sat just beyond the break, waiting for the perfect swell, while swimmers paddled in the shallows, jumping and squealing as the small waves hit their bare skin.
She inhaled deep and slow. The day was warm, with the springtime promise of the summer to come. The feeling of the sun on her skin, along with the scent of whatever was wafting from the kitchen and Ethan practically glowing in front of her, was utterly intoxicating.
She glanced around at the other diners and frowned as she noticed most were staring at them; or, rather, at Ethan. Two women on the neighbouring table had their heads together, whispering as they openly checked him out. Another woman a table over quickly turned away as Sera caught her eye, and another was almost teetering off her seat as she tried to get a better view.
‘I think people recognise you,’ she said.
‘Nah,’ he said, studying the menu. ‘I’m not that famous.’
‘But they’re staring.’ She glared at the whispering women.
‘I’m used to it.’ He shrugged, his eyes still fixed on the cocktail list.
‘Oh. It’s because…’ She trailed off. What was she going to say?Because you’re so hot?She awkwardly adjusted her cutlery.
He glanced up and smiled. ‘Fancy a cocktail? The negronis here are excellent.’
She scrambled to read what was in one as she said, ‘That’d be great.’
He waved down a waitperson. ‘Can we start with two negronis and a bottle of the Pol Roger, please?’
The waitperson jotted down their order, then flashed a grin at Ethan. ‘I love your movies,’ he said. ‘Lord Jasper is super hot.’
Ethan laughed. ‘Thanks, man. I try.’
‘It works,’ the young man said. ‘All my friends would die for Lord Jasper.’
‘They don’t need to go that far, but I appreciate it.’ Ethan gave him a thousand-watt smile.
A red flush mottled the young man’s cheeks and neck. ‘After you’ve eaten, if it’s not a hassle, could I grab a photo with you? The boys will go mad.’
‘Sure thing. Just hit me up before I get too dishevelled.’ He gave the young man the same wink he’d given to Tia and the women by the lake.
‘You were flirting with him,’ Sera said once they were alone. She couldn’t decide if she was amused or a little put out.
‘I wasn’t.’
‘You totally were.’
He laughed. ‘Okay, maybe a little.’
Sera frowned then her eyes sprang open. ‘Oh. Ohhh!’
‘?“Oh, ohhh”, what?’
‘I didn’t realise you were gay,’ she said, adding hurriedly, ‘sorry, it’s none of my business.’
‘What?’ Ethan laughed. ‘I’m not. I’m straight, and I’m a little disappointed you haven’t picked up on that.’ He arched a brow as his gaze drifted to her lips, then back to her eyes. ‘But he’s a fan, and he thinks I’m hot, and there’s no harm in a little flirting.’ He leaned forward. ‘Did I make you jealous?’ His voice had dropped a couple of octaves and Sera squirmed in her chair.
‘Of course not,’ she said sweetly, even as the tops of her thighs tingled.
