Page 49 of Champagne Nights

“I can get my own cab.”

I stepped into the elevator, took it to the Parlor level, and walked out the front door. Pulling my cane from my purse, I tapped each step in front of me as I held on to the railing and made my way to the sidewalk. Standing on the curb, I pulled out my phone and called for a cab.

“Sure thing, Aubrey. Actually, Jessie is over that way. He should be there in about five minutes.”

“Thanks, Glenn. I’ll be waiting.”

In my current situation, five minutes seemed like an eternity. I wondered if Ethan was watching me from his window. While I waited for the cab, I dialed Penelope.

“Hello,” she sleepily answered.

“Hey. Did I wake you?”

“Umm. Maybe. What’s wrong?”

“Can I stay with you tonight?”

“I thought you were staying at Ethan’s.”

I tried so hard to hold back the tears, but I couldn’t do it anymore as I started to stutter into the phone.

“Things didn’t work out.”

“Oh, Aubrey. What did he do to you? I’m on my way.”

“No. A cab will be here in a few minutes. I already called for one.”

“Of course, you can stay here. I’ll see you soon. I wish you would have called me first. I would have come over there and kicked his pompous, no good rich ass.”

“I think the cab just pulled up. I’ll see you soon.”

Opening the door, I climbed inside.

“Hey, Aubrey.”

“Hi, Jessie.”

“You okay, hon?”

“Not really. 425 East 66th Street, please.”

As I sat in the back of the cab, the tears streamed down my face. I was a fool to think he could even remotely feel something for me, and I was also a fool for believing I could probably fix him. His words felt like a dagger through my heart, and even now, I could still feel it inside me.

“We’re here, Aubrey,” Jessie spoke.

“Thank you. Just put it on my card. It’s on file.”

“I know, hon. Feel better, okay?”

“I’ll try.”

As soon as I climbed out of the cab, I heard Penelope’s voice.

“Come here.” She wrapped her arm around me as we walked into her building. “What happened?”

“We made love, and I asked him to stay with me, and he wouldn’t. I practically begged him. I’m such a loser.”

“No, you’re not.” She opened the door to her apartment, and I stepped inside.

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