Page 30 of Champagne Nights

“You better answer it.”

“Hello. What? Oh my God! Was anyone hurt? How bad is it? Did you call my Aunt Charlotte? Thank you for calling.”

“What happened?”

“That was Rebecca, the building manager. There was a fire in my building, and everyone has been evacuated. I need to get there, Ethan.”

“We’ll go. Let me call Harry to bring the car around.”

“Okay. I’m going to call my aunt.”

I placed the call to Harry, and as soon as he pulled up to the curb, we climbed in and headed straight to Aubrey’s apartment building.

“Was your aunt home when it happened?” I asked after she hung up with her.

“No. She’s in North Carolina visiting a friend of hers whose husband just passed away. The funeral is tomorrow, and she’s catching the first flight out after that.”

Harry needed to park around the corner because lines of fire trucks and police cars had the street blocked. Climbingout, I grabbed onto Aubrey’s hand, and we headed towards the building but were shortly stopped by a police officer.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t go near there.”

“I live in that building,” Aubrey spoke.

“I’m sorry, miss. All residents have been evacuated and need to make other arrangements for tonight.”

“But—”

“Come on, Aubrey.” I placed my arm around her. “Let’s go back to the limo and figure this out.”

“I need to call Penelope,” she spoke as she climbed inside and pulled out her phone. “She didn’t answer, so I’m going to try Ian.” She placed her phone in her lap after she got Ian’s voicemail.

I tightly clenched my fist as I looked up and saw Harry staring at me through the rearview mirror. I had my room at the Plaza she could stay at for as long as she needed, but if I sent her there, she’d be all alone, and I wasn’t sure that was a good idea.

“You can stay at my place tonight.”

“That’s sweet of you, Ethan, but I don’t want to be a bother. I can get a room at a hotel nearby.”

“You could, but I would feel better if you stayed at my place. Your building just had a fire, and I don’t think you should be alone.”

“I’ll be fine, Ethan. Really.”

“Maybe you would be, but you’re staying at my townhome tonight, and I don’t want to hear another word about it. Do you understand?” I spoke in an authoritative tone.

“If you insist.”

“I do. Harry, take us home.”

“Very well, sir.” He smiled at me.

I rolled my eyes and looked out the window.

“Do you have an extra toothbrush?” She smirked.

“No. Do we need to stop at the drugstore on the way?”

“I think so.” She scrunched up her nose in the cutest way possible.

“Harry, we’re making a stop at the drugstore.”

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