Want Me (Mess with Me 4)

My cheeks heat. He’s being more direct than I expected but it’s a valid ques

tion. With everything that’s happened, he’s been the recipient of plenty of mixed signals, also. Just one of the many things I regret about the past few weeks.

“Sorry about that. I wasn’t ignoring you. I like you. You’re one of the good ones. You deserve to get everything you’re looking for.”

“Why can’t that be you?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why don’t you tell me about him? The guy who is keeping me from having a chance with you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You feel things and you don’t hide from your emotions. I could learn from that.” He takes another bite of his chicken. “Will you attend the final GlowUp event with me? Even if I don’t have a chance it’ll be nice to have a friend to keep the bullseye off my back.”

I take a small sip of my wine. “I would be honored to be your shield for the night.”

“After this I’ll take you home. I don’t want to give you a chance to change your mind.”

Smiling, I pull out my phone from my bag. “I won’t. Sorry to be rude but I just need to text my mom so she knows I’m okay. I promised her I would. She worries.”

“As moms do,” Seth agrees. “Please feel free.”

I turn my phone back on and as soon as it powers up, the screen fills with notifications.

“Whoa. What is going on? I have a bunch of phone calls and texts.”

With mounting horror, I open my texts first. My mom left a bunch but my eyes immediately go to the last one sent by Law. It just says “IT’S ABOUT YOUR FATHER” in all caps.

“Is everything okay?” Seth asks.

“No. Something happened to my father.”

Immediately he lifts his hand and when the waiter appears, he asks for the check. “Can you also have valet bring my car up? We have an emergency.”

“Certainly, Monsieur.”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to–”

Seth waves me off. “Of course I’ll drive you. Just let me know where they took him.”

Law’s last message was clearly just to get my attention. The one right before it is longer and has all the information I really need. My father fell at home and was taken to the hospital. They admitted him and he included the room number. I text him back that I’m on my way.

“He’s at George Washington.”

“Let’s go.” Seth helps me up and I follow him to the front of the restaurant.

The valet holds the door open to the passenger side when he sees us coming. Seth slides into the driver’s seat and speeds away from the curb. I’m so glad he’s with me because if I was alone, I’m not sure I could handle driving safely.

“I guess I’ll get my car later,” I mumble. Not that it matters. Why am I thinking about my stupid car? A shiver wracks my frame and I rub my arms. Maybe I’m thinking about stupid stuff because it’s easier than wondering whether Pop is okay.

“Don’t even worry about that. I’ll have my driver deliver it to your apartment. Text me your address.”

Grateful to have something tangible to do, I pull out my phone and send him the message. When I next look up, we’re pulling right in front of the ER entrance at George Washington.

“Thank you, Seth.”

“You’re welcome. Go make sure your father is okay. Don’t worry about any of the rest of it.”