Page 66 of Champagne Nights

“And for you, sir?”

“I’ll have a scotch on the rocks. Make it a double.”

After she went around the table and took everyone’s drink order, we placed our order for dinner.

“How was your day today?” Ethan asked cautiously.

“It was good.”

I didn’t ask him how his day was because I didn’t care. Like I said before, I was now in the angry stage.

“I’m surprised you’re with your mom,” I spoke.

“Why?”

“I just figured you’d be with someone else.”

Shit. I really didn’t mean to say that.

“No. She was shopping in the city and asked me to have dinner with her. Well, actually, we were supposed to have lunch, but she got a late start.”

“That’s nice.”

“And I’m not seeing anyone else. Why would you say or think that?”

“Because, Mr. Klein, you’re a man with needs.”

“Aubrey, please. Don’t do this.”

“They were your words, not mine.”

“You know what? Maybe it’s best if we don’t speak,” he whispered.

“That’s probably for the best.”

“I told you that I would switch tables.”

“Why are you speaking?”

I heard the sharp intake of his breath and the ice clanking in his glass as he picked it up. We sat there in awkward silence as I sipped on my Mai Tai.

“Listen, you can hate me all you want, but just not right now. My mother doesn’t know anything, and she’ll start asking questions. So please, just for the next hour, at least pretend to hold a conversation with me.”

“I have nothing to say to you. So how am I supposed to do that?” I whispered.

“Oh, you two look like you’re in deep conversation,” Nancy spoke with excitement.

“See. I told you,” Ethan whispered. “Well, now we don’t have to worry about it. Our chef is here.”

“I know. I heard him wheel the cart over.”

As the chef put on a show and prepared our meal, I sipped on my Mai Tai. I needed to remember what Ethan said to me because even though I was angry, his scent drove me crazy. During dinner, I talked a bit with Ian and Rigby, and Ethanheld a conversation with his mother. This had to be the most awkward dinner I was ever at, and I couldn’t eat fast enough to get the hell out. All I wanted to do was go home, climb into bed, and hide under the covers for the rest of the night.

I finished eating and waited patiently for Ian and Rigby to finish.

“Are you done yet?” I leaned over and asked Ian.

“Yes. We’re done,” he replied. “Let me ask the waitress for the check.”

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