Page 68 of Champagne Nights

“Hi, Harry. How are you?”

“I’m good.”

I heard the other door open, and Ethan slid in next to me.

“Harry, we’re driving Aubrey home.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ethan

Imagine the shock on my face when I saw Aubrey sitting at the table. She was the last person I expected to run into, let alone sit next to her for dinner. She had an attitude with me, and I didn’t blame her. I hadn’t seen that side of her yet, and, to be honest, it turned me on. The car ride back to her apartment was silent because I knew that was the way she wanted it. I was struggling inside, struggling with the fact that I had hurt her so deeply. Harry pulled up to the curb of her building, and I quickly got out and opened the door for her, holding out my hand.

“Please take my hand and let me help you out.”

“I don’t need help, Ethan. I can get out of a car on my own.”

“I know you can, but?—”

“Then let me.”

When I lowered my hand, she climbed out of the car and placed her cane down in front of her.

“Good night, Ethan.”

“Good night, Aubrey.”

I watched as she walked inside her building. Clenching my fist as hard as I could, I took in a deep breath, for I knew what I had to do.

“You can have the rest of the night off, Harry. I’ll catch a cab home. There’s something I need to say to her.”

“Good luck, Ethan.”

I ran inside the building and placed my hand between the elevator doors as they began closing.

“Aubrey, I need to talk to you.”

“Ethan, what the hell are you doing? I thought you left.”

“I can’t leave without making things right with you. Please just hear what I have to say.”

She stood there in silence, looking down. I knew she was struggling with the decision of whether to hear me out or not.

“Please, Aubrey,” I spoke in a soft voice.

“Fine. I’ll hear you out, but after I do, you are to leave.”

“I will. I promise.”

We stepped off the elevator, and as soon as we approached her apartment, the door from across the hall opened, and a man and woman stepped out.

“Oh, hello, Aubrey,” the older woman spoke and then glared at me.

“Hi, Aunt Charlotte. Hello, Mr. Morris.”

“Hello, little lady,” he spoke.

“Aunt Charlotte, I would like you to meet Ethan Klein. Ethan, this is my Aunt Charlotte and Mr. Morris from apartment 1C.”

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