Page 24 of Champagne Nights

“Ethan, look who’s here!” he shouted from across the way.

Asshole.

Aubrey looked straight at me. It was as if she could see me standing there. I finished off my second scotch and casually walked over to where they were standing.

“Hello, Mr. Klein.” Penelope glared at me.

“Penelope. Nice to see you again.” I nodded. “Hello, Aubrey.”

“Hello, Ethan,” she spoke in a soft voice.

“Come on, Penelope. Come with Lexi and me, and we’ll show you where we hung your spectacular painting that I bought last week.”

Dick.

Penelope placed her hand on Aubrey’s arm.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.” She looked down and gave a small smile. “How have you been, Ethan?” she surprisingly asked.

“Busy. How about you?”

“Busy as well.”

Fuck. My conscience was getting the best of me, and I didn’t know why, and I didn’t know how to control it.

“Listen, Aubrey. I’m sorry that?—”

She put her hand up.

“Don’t apologize, Ethan. It was one night. That’s all. I didn’t expect you to call.”

“I wanted to, but I just didn’t have the chance with work and everything.”

“It’s fine. Like I said, I didn’t expect a call.”

“So, how’s school?” I asked to make the moment less awkward.

“School is great. I have wonderful students.”

“That’s good.” I placed my hand in my pocket. “It looks like they’re starting to serve dinner. I should get?—”

Before I could finish my sentence and was getting ready to make my exit, Lexi walked over and grabbed my and Aubrey’s hands.

“Come on, you two. You’re sitting at our table for dinner.” She smiled.

“I really need to get going, Lex. I have a lot of work to do.”

“Nonsense. It’s my birthday, and you’re staying. Work can wait until tomorrow. Oh, there’s someone that just showed up that I need to say hello to. Take Aubrey to that table right over there.” She pointed as she walked away.

I sighed.

“It’s okay, Ethan. You don’t need to walk me to the table. You didn’t ask to be my eyes.” The corners of her mouth slightly turned upwards.

She may have been smiling on the outside, but on the inside, she was sad. I could tell. It was in the tone of her voice when she spoke those words.

“Don’t be silly, Aubrey. I want to escort you to the table, and if you’ll allow me, I would like to sit next to you. So come on and let me escort you.”

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