Page 72 of Champagne Nights

“You’re a little snippy from time to time. Do you know that?”

“Only when someone insists on treating me like a handicapped child.”

“I’m sorry. I’m learning.”

“I know you are. Just make my eggs. I’m starving.”

“What are your plans for today?” he asked.

“I don’t know. I really don’t have any.”

“After I make breakfast, I’m going to go home, shower, change, and head to the office. I have quite a bit of work to do.”

“It’s Saturday.”

“Saturdays are no different from any other day of the week as far as I’m concerned.”

I sat there, sipping my coffee with the hopes that he’d want to spend the day together. I needed to play it off as if I didn’t care.

“Sounds boring.” I smirked.

He chuckled. “It can be.”

After we finished breakfast, he cleaned up the kitchen and then kissed me on my forehead.

“Enjoy your day. I have to go.”

“You too. Try not to work too hard.”

“I can’t make any promises.”

He walked out the door and I sighed. I wasn’t sure I could do this.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Ethan

I hailed a cab home and got ready for work. As I stood in the shower, I lowered my head and let the water beat down on me while I thought about Aubrey. For the first time in years, I felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Telling her about Sophia and making her understand the way I was, was gratifying. I was honest and told her I couldn’t commit to anything, yet she still wanted to make love, which was a sign that she was okay with it. I still had fears and many of them. Would I ever go back to the way I was? I didn’t know. But, little by little, Aubrey was peeling away the damaged layers that resided inside me. Spending the night with her was great, and I didn’t feel like I needed to leave. It was the least I could do for her since she sat and listened to what I had to say. Did this mean we were in a relationship? No. It meant that we reached a level where we could enjoy each other’s company without any strings attached.

As I was sitting in my office doing some work, a text message came through from her.

“Hey, I know you’re busy working, but I’m going rock climbing today and wanted to see if you wanted to tag along. It’ll be fun.”

Rock climbing? Was she serious? She couldn’t rock climb. A nervousness settled inside me at the thought. She’d slip and fall and possibly get killed. All sorts of things ran through my head.

“Is anyone going with you?”

“Nope. Just you and me if you want to come along.”

Damn it. There was no way I could let her go alone.

“What time are you going and where?”

“Three o’clock at Chelsea Pier Sports Center. I have a friend who works there.”

I let out a sigh of relief. She was going to go to a gym to rock climb. That made me feel somewhat better because someone would be there with her.

“I really can’t. I’m sorry. I have so much to do.”

---