LOOK! A scene in Seth’s POV from Dear Emily that mirrors Tabitha’s. This may not be the last time we hear from Seth in his ‘voice’. 😉
Be sure to check out the entire series – links below.
XOXO
Trudy
Copyright 2014 by Trudy Stiles
Rough and unedited.
Seth
I arrived in Philadelphia six weeks ago and although I haven’t been looking, I think that I just found the future Mrs. Tyson. I saw her the moment I walked into the diner. I have a feeling that she can help me forget about my past and the mess that I left behind. I need to meet her. Now.
She looks like she’s daydreaming and I silently hope that it’s about me. I’m not sure she’s noticed me yet. But damn, I’ve certainly noticed her. She’s tall, around five foot eight and very slender. Her hair is black and pulled back behind her ears and strands have fallen around her cheeks. She’s so hot. She seems distracted and almost disinterested about her surroundings. I desperately want her to come wait on me. And there is something so familiar about her. I just can’t put my finger on it.
While I’m waiting for service, I try not to think about why I’m here in the first place. My family lives in California and they honestly couldn’t care less where I am right now, especially after what happened before I left. I’m not sure I’ll ever be welcomed home again.
My family is pretty high maintenance and I’m glad to be out from under their control. My father is a real estate tycoon and my mother is the typical socially elite housewife. The two of them have tried to dictate my life since I can remember. I went to the best private schools and then attended Stanford because I was legacy. My father wanted me to get my business degree so he can groom me to follow in his footsteps. I’ve always done everything that they wanted me to do. I’ve been interning with my father’s company for the past year and I’ve been miserable. And then my father did something, well, something horrible. He fucked with me and my happiness. He’s the worst kind of asshole there is and I had to get the fuck out of there. I shake my head and I’m thankful that I left California to make it on my own and without the Tyson family name behind me. Since I left, my father pretty much disowned me and my mother pretends like I don’t exist. I’ve gotten a few texts from my siblings, but it mostly revolves around the ninety-eight thousand dollar Mercedes that I left in the driveway. Both of my younger sisters are fighting each other for it and my older brother wants to give it to his girlfriend. I honestly don’t give a shit what they do with it.
I don’t ever want to have a family like mine. There is no love between us and greed bleeds from our veins. We are selfish to the core. I’m happy to finally be away from all of them.
An older women comes to my table, “Hi there, what can I get you to drink?” she asks. I look past her toward the girl behind the counter. “Um, this may seem weird, but can you pretend like you didn’t come over here? I’d like the other waitress to help me.” Oh my God I feel like a creeper. But I’m just so drawn to her.
She winks at me, “Sure thing, Tabby’s a doll.” She walks away and I see her smiling and whispering to her. I drop my head when I see Tabby roll her eyes. Shit, she’s annoyed already.
I’m staring at my phone when a menu and a place setting are dropped in front of me. “Good afternoon, would you like something to drink?” She hesitantly smiles. Wow, she is stunning. “Lemonade, please,” I respond quickly. She slowly nods her head but doesn’t move. Is she as drawn to me as I am to her? Our eyes are locked onto each others and I’m almost afraid to blink. Afraid she might disappear. There is just something about her …
I clear my throat and she flinches slightly, “Lemonade,” I say again.
“Oh sure, I’ll get that right away for you,” she says and turns toward the kitchen. She practically runs away and I think she might not come back. I watch her grab a glass and fill it with ice. She looks back at me hesitantly and fills the glass with lemonade. She keeps looking over her shoulder as if I’m going to attack her. Why is she so uptight?
When she returns, she places the drink in front of me and then fumbles with the straws in the pocket of her apron. She tries to grab one, but spills all of them onto the floor. She mutters something to herself and bends down to pick them all up. I notice her hands trembling and I wonder if it’s her first day. What other reason would she have to be so nervous?
“Have you decided on your meal?” she asks with a shaky voice.
“Yes, but first I need to know your name,” I say, even though the other waitress already told me that her name is Tabby. I want to hear it directly from her. I stare at her lips and wait for her to say it.
“Why?” she asks me sounding annoyed, “It has no relevance to your meal.” Shit, she really is annoyed. What’s up with this girl? I’m not going to let her attitude bother me. I’m nothing if not persistent.
“Well it would have a lot of relevance when I ask you to join me for a late lunch,” I say and smile. Her eyes seem to flash many colors but when they turn dark I know I’m about to get a tongue lashing.
“Sir, can’t you see that I’m working? I can’t just sit here with you,” she snaps. I’m not a ‘sir’. My grandfather is called ‘sir’. Geez, I think I’ve struck a nerve with her but I can’t help myself. I don’t want her to walk away and I may be having a little fun.
I chuckle and say, “Seth, not ‘Sir’. Seth Tyson. And you can sit down. I’m the only person in this entire diner.” I look around the restaurant and nod my head then point to the empty seat across from me.
She scowls at me then says, “Seth, I really don’t have time for this, so can you please give me your order?” She’s certainly a tough nut to crack. Whenever I’ve flashed my charm with other girls, it works instantly. But not with her. I suddenly want it to be different with her.
I’m insistent, “I’ll give you my order as soon as you agree to join me.”
Shit, now she’s rolling her eyes again. She looks around the diner and starts to tap her foot. A small smile spreads across her lips and she says, “OK. Fine. My name is Tabitha and I’ll have a snack with you.”
Success! This certainly wasn’t easy, but I can tell she’s worth it.
“Excellent Tabby! Sit down and let’s discuss our meals!” I say with excitement.
She remains standing and takes a pencil from her apron. “OK Seth, what is it that you want?” she asks me.
I meet her gaze and raise my eyebrows. There is something behind her eyes that tells me that she’s afraid, but curious about me. What is it about her that I’m so drawn to? I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel the need to pull her next to me and tell her that everything is going to be okay.
She looks away after a while and shakes her head.
I quickly say, “I’ll have grilled cheese with tomato and an order of fries with gravy on the side.”
Her hand is shaking slightly as I watch her write down my order. Why is she nervous? I suddenly feel terrible for how I’ve been acting toward her. She must not be used to all of the attention.
“Anything else?” she asks.
She needs to decide what she’s going to eat so I say, “Only for you. What are you going to eat, Tabby?”
“Nothing,” she snaps back at me, “Thanks for your order and it will be out shortly.”
What just happened? One minute she says she’s going to have a snack with me and the next she’s running for the hills. She is really uptight and seems so … so damaged. Someone royally fucked with her ability to trust, I can just tell.
I watch her as she seems to retreat into herself. She runs her finger along her cheek and her eyes start to glisten. Fuck. I shouldn’t have been so forward with her. I’m such an asshole.
After she turns in my order, she sits at the counter waiting for my food. The bell suddenly rings and she flinches, jumping out of her seat. I try to divert my attention when she grabs my food and walks toward me.
“Do you need anything else?” she asks after she drops the plates in front of me.
“No, but I thought you were eating with me.” What is wrong with me? I realize that I absolutely can’t help myself because I’m so drawn to her. I feel like I know her already. Do I? She seems to have many inner demons and I just want to help her.
“Nope. I’m working. And I’m NOT interested,” she grins.
Okay, now she’s trying to play with me, right? What’s with the smile? Are these mixed signals? What vibe am I picking up here? She turns away and I reach out to grab hold of her arm. She tenses up and stops to face me. Oh shit.
“Listen, Seth. You. Don’t. Know. Me. Let go of my arm and eat your fucking lunch!” Crap, I should just leave before I get thrown out of here. I need to end this and let her off the hook. I also need to apologize since I’ve clearly offended her and royally pissed her off.
“Tabby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I just thought that since you were alone and this place is empty, you’d want to keep me company.” I’m honest and very sorry for the way that I’ve been acting.
Her face softens a bit and she says, “It’s OK, Seth. I had a long, hard day.”
She looks down at me as I’m playing with my food. I feel her tension leave her body and I’m so happy. I’ve been known to manipulate situations in the past, but it clearly didn’t work here. She’s smart and head strong. But she’s also a bit damaged and scared. “Really, Tabby, I mean no harm. I just would like some company. I arrived in Philly six weeks ago and I have yet to crack the social scene. I could use some pointers.” I say to her.
“Ha!” she laughs. “I’ve been here for just a few weeks and I’ve literally had conversations with like four people, other than here at work. I know absolutely nothing about the social scene in Philadelphia and quite honestly, I couldn’t give a shit. I work, sleep, work, and sleep again. I can’t be bothered with anything else.” She’s very animated and on the verge of laughing. That’s a good sign.
But she turns to walk away again and dammit, I can’t let her leave. “Tabby, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean anything by what I said. I just don’t know anyone, and, well, I can’t live in a city like this without at least trying. I thought I’d try with you since you seem so genuine, but I guess that isn’t happening.” I drop my eyes and shake my head. We’re silent for a few more moments and I expect her to walk away for the last time.
I hear her sigh deeply, “Okay, I work in a bookstore over on Spring Street. Why don’t you come check it out and maybe I can get you on the list for a book signing or two?” she says and I look up and smile. This is awesome!
“Thanks Tabby,” I say quietly, “I’ll stop by on Monday.”
What I really want to do is wait for her shift to be over today and take her away from here. I want to keep her smiling. She doesn’t look like she smiles too often and I need to fix that. And her eyes, my God, they could pierce my heart. People say that a person’s eyes are the window to their soul and in this very moment, I believe that wholeheartedly.
I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’ve decided that I will be with her someday. I’m determined to make her the future Mrs. Tyson, or at the very least, my girl. That may sound crazy and all ‘love at first sight’ but I can picture her walking toward me in a flowing white gown with those incredible eyes fixed on mine.
Yeah, I’m totally going to her bookstore on Monday and everyday after that.
This girl is something else.
Seth Tyson
by Trudy Stiles
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Copyright 2014 by Trudy Stiles
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