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Clearly, her shock showed on her face because he continued. “After you left, both my parents laid into me about how rude I’d been to you. And then my brother called to harass me as well.”
Drew had called him? When?
“I guess he didn’t tell you that.”
“No. He didn’t.” Beth wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not, but she wasn’t going to let that sidetrack her. “So you came to apologize because your parents and your brother told you to?”
Seth grinned. “No. But I think you already know that.”
She did. Seth didn’t strike her as someone who bowed to pressure from anyone, even his family.
“I’m here because I wanted to see for myself if you were who you said you were.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Who exactly did you think I was?”
He put his hands in his pockets. “I didn’t know. That was the point. I didn’t even know you’d be there until I walked into the kitchen and found you sitting at my mom’s table.”
“So what you’re trying to tell me is that because my presence surprised you, you decided to be a jerk.”
“You don’t pull any punches, do you?” Seth chuckled. “I can see why Drew likes you.”
Beth wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or not.
“I do apologize if I acted like a jerk. Drew hasn’t had the best history with women and it worried me when he’d suddenly brought one home to meet us. I wanted to make sure you weren’t taking advantage of him.”
As good as that sounded, Beth wasn’t sure she believed him. “You were trying to protect your brother? Don’t you think he’s old enough to do that on his own?”
“You’d think so, wouldn’t you, but my baby brother tends to see the best in people.”
Beth knew there had to be a story there, but quite frankly, she didn’t care. Her relationship with Drew was none of Seth’s business. “If you have an issue with your brother being with me then you need to talk to him.”
“Oh, I have. As a matter of fact, I just came from there. He wouldn’t hear any of it. Told me to mind my own damn business.” Beth sensed a level of pride there. She wasn’t sure she would ever understand Seth Parker.
“Maybe you should listen to him.”
Seth opened his mouth to comment, but someone came around the corner and cut him off. “Having an afternoon rendezvous? Is this your new boy-toy, then?”
She spun around to find Ben striding toward them. He looked determined, and Beth knew there was little chance she’d be able to get rid of him this time without allowing him to say his piece. “What are you doing here, Ben?”
“I came to talk to you.” He looked Seth up and down. “Is this him? I heard you were with someone new.”
Drew’s brother didn’t flinch. He stared Ben down with a level of contempt that had been missing from her first encounter with Seth. “And you are?”
“I’m her ex.”
Seth crossed his arms over his chest and she had to admit it made him much more intimidating. “If you’re her ex, then why are you here demanding to know who she’s having a conversation with outside of her own restaurant?”
“That’s none of your business,” Ben snapped.
“Since you’ve barged into our discussion, you’ve made it my business.” Seth never raised his voice. He was chillingly calm.
Ben continued to stare at Seth until he realized it wasn’t going to get him anywhere and refocused his attention on Beth. “This is a waste of time. I need to talk to you.”
“So you said.” She sighed. “Go ahead. I’m listening.”
He glanced over at Seth. “Alone.”
She opened her mouth, but Seth interrupted her. “No. If you have something to say to her, then you can say it here in front of me. Otherwise, be on your way.”
