Chapter 6

He sips at the drink and sighs, then after a few steps, remembers his manners. Half-turning, he points behind us at the reception area. “You know Lonzo. Jeanie, this is Austin.”

I glance over my shoulder and she waves, so I smile quickly. As we turn a corner, I hear her talking to Lonzo. “So that’sthe guy? He’s cute.”

Seth’s office is at the end of the hall. Once inside, he closes the door and motions to a patent leather sofa along one wall. “Have a seat.”

I drift over to the sofa, trying to look everywhere at once. Seth’s desk is big and bulky, his chair swiveled to look out the window behind it. The blinds are open, giving him an excellent view of the street and our small strip of stores on the opposite side. As I drift closer, I sense him behind me. When he speaks, I smell the coffee on his breath and his voice is so close, mere inches from my ear. “Sometimes when you’re sweeping up in the front of the café, I can see you from here.”