Free Fall for Me by Sydney Landon Page B

that she had avoided a confrontation with Nick.
    * * *
    Seth was waiting for her in the lobby of Sara J’s. Beth just loved the restaurant’s beautiful view overlooking the marsh in Garden City, South Carolina. She summoned up her best “date smile” as Seth leaned in to kiss her lightly. “You look beautiful, Beth. I’m happy to see you again.”
    Seth Jackson was tall and thin. He had sandy blond hair that he kept neatly trimmed and groomed. He was the manager for one of the bigger hotels on the Grand Strand, and he was always trying to convince her to come take advantage of the many amenities that it offered. He placed a polite hand at the small of her back as he led her to the hostess stand. The restaurant was crowded, as usual, but they were quickly seated at a table on the outdoor patio.
    “I thought you might enjoy dining outside this evening.”
    “This is lovely; I’m glad you thought of it.” Conversation with Seth was always easy and uncomplicated, just as life with him would probably be. He was attentive, polite, and funny. He didn’t set her on fire like Nick did, but he wasn’t likely to burn her in the end, either. She ordered a glass of tea and Seth ordered a glass of red wine. When their drinks were delivered, she took a sip of hers and smiled at Seth as he regaled her with tales of the more unusual hotel guests in the last few weeks.
    The hair on the back of her neck started to prickle as she felt someone watching her. She looked around, not noticing anything unusual.
You’re paranoid. Who would be watching you?
When nothing out of the ordinary happened, she finally loosened up and enjoyed herself. When the door to the outside area opened, her mouth fell open. Sauntering toward her, looking like the devil himself, was none other than Nick. She knew what she must look like to Seth. She had stopped talking in midsentence and was now gaping at the man approaching their table.
I wouldn’t hold out much hope of another dinner invitation anytime soon.
    Nick smiled as he reached their table. He laid his hand on her shoulder in a proprietary manner. “Wh— What are you doing here?” she stuttered.
    “Hey, princess. I was having dinner with a customer.”
    She looked around suspiciously, seeing no one waiting for him. As if he knew what she was thinking he added, “They’ve already left. I happened to see you when I was leaving, so I thought I’d come say hello.” Leaning over her shoulder, Nick extended his hand toward Seth. “Nick Merimon.”
    She could see that Seth was very curious about their exchange as he politely shook Nick’s hand and introduced himself. “So, how do you two know each other?” he inquired.
    “We work together,” Beth answered quickly.
    “We also live together and Beth is having my baby,” Nick added helpfully.
    Beth watched in horrified fascination as Seth’s uncertain smile slowly slipped off his face as he noticed the embarrassment on hers. “Beth? Is this true?”
    With a weak smile, she said, “We don’t officially live together; it’s complicated.”
    “That wasn’t really the part I was asking about,” he said.
    She knew her face was flaming as she searched for an answer that wouldn’t sound as damning as the truth. “Er, yes, I am pregnant,” she admitted, “But we aren’t in a relationship or anything so I can see other people.”
Oh, my God, just shut up. Do you hear yourself? You have just given new meaning to the expression “white trash.”
    Seth stood up from the table, now completely flabbergasted. “I think you two need some time alone. Beth . . . good luck.” With those words, he left as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels.
    Nick walked around to take the recently vacated chair as she hissed, “What in the hell was that?”
    “I don’t know what you mean, princess. If you wanted me to lie for you, then you should have warned me ahead of time. I was just answering his question honestly.”
    Getting to her feet,