I give him an alluring smile as I saunter out of the bedroom. To seal the deal, I pull my tank top over my head and toss it behind me.
"That's not fair!" he shouts, but I hear his feet hit the floor as he jumps out of bed.
And, yes, it's as hot, soapy and delicious as I'd imagined.
* * *
The restaurant Hughand I chose for today is one of our favorites. Their pumpkin pancakes make my belly happy, and I have a feeling Seth will love their steak and egg on a bagel. They also serve the best bloody marys in Brooklyn.
Seth isn't the only one anxious about today's brunch. I really want Hugh to like Seth. I've never been this invested in him liking one of my boyfriends before, and I know he's concerned about Seth showing up out of the blue. He heard all about our argument last summer, but he didn't get to hear Seth's apology.
Hugh and Raymond stand when we get to the table and give me hugs, then shake hands with Seth. Ray's smile is genuine, but Hugh looks constipated.
"Nice to meet you," Seth says to Hugh. "I've heard a lot about you."
"All good, I hope," Hugh says.
Oh lord, his nostrils are already flaring.
"Definitely," Seth says.
"I've heard a lot about you, too.” Hugh takes a seat at the table. "Not all good, unfortunately."
Yikes.
Seth doesn't flinch at Hugh's rudeness, but I'm mortified and mouth the word "stop" at him. I know Hugh is protective of me, but I had no idea he was going to come at Seth this way.
The waiter tells us the specials, and Seth and I both order a cup of coffee and a bloody mary. Hugh is already sipping a mimosa and eating the complimentary biscuits, and Raymond is nursing a giant cup of tea. After the waiter leaves, we peruse the brunch menu and fall into what could be considered a comfortable silence if I didn’t sense Hugh seething across the table from us and feel Seth bouncing his knee.
I set down my menu. “I’m going to have the pancakes. How about you guys?”
Everyone shares his order and then there’s more silence. I give Raymond a desperate look.
"Seth, is this your first time in New York?" Raymond asks.
"Yes, it is," Seth says.
Hugh mutters something under his breath that sounds like "Took you long enough to get here," but I can't be sure.
"Excuse me?" Seth says.
Hugh pulls a face and unrolls his napkin. "Nothing."
"I'm a direct person." Seth’s voice is both patient and firm. "If there's something you need to say to me, let's get it out in the open."
"Fine." Hugh shakes out his napkin with a snap and places it on his lap. "This woman right here is someone special. She's the most loyal, generous, loving person you could ever have in your life. When you're down, she will lift you up. When you're being a dick, she will let you know. In short, she's fabulous. And I hope you realize how lucky you are to be with her. Because if you don't treasure her? If you hurt her again? You're going to have to answer to me. And I know I'm not built like a...a..."
"A lumberjack?" Seth offers.
There's a second of silence before Raymond and I bust out laughing. Hugh turns red, his mouth hanging open with no words coming out. Then he gives me the stink eye for revealing the nickname he uses for Seth.
Raymond pokes Hugh's arm. "You've been busted, sweetie."
"Sorry," Seth says, keeping a straight face, "go on."
"Right, well," Hugh says. "I might not be built like a lumberjack, but if you hurt her again, I will find a way to make your life hell."
Seth lifts his chin in acceptance. "Fair enough. But I promise that I don't have any intention of hurting Andie."
