Page 27 of Champagne Nights

“Yes. Now. I’m going to my parent’s house tomorrow for dinner, and my mom wants me to pick up a lemon cake from this bakery she loves in SoHo. I thought maybe you could come with me to pick it up, and then we can go for a walk.”

“Isn’t the bakery closed already?”

“Not this one.” He sighed. “They’re open until midnight.”

“Wow, really? That’s weird.”

“I know.”

Did I or didn’t I? I had just started to put Ethan Klein behind me. But there was something about him I couldn’t resist. I wanted to spend time with him, even though I knew he’d break my heart in the end.

“Sure. Sounds like fun. I’ll have to tell Penelope.”

“Tell Penelope what?” She walked up from behind and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“I’m going to leave with Ethan if that’s okay with you.”

There was a moment of silence because I knew she didn’t approve.

“And where do you two think you’re going?”

“To a bakery to pick up a cake and then for a walk.”

“Fine. Go on. Lexi asked me if I could stay a little longer because she wants to talk to me about painting her a portrait.” She kissed my cheek. “You, Mr. Klein, better watch out for her.”

“I will, Penelope. You don’t have to worry about that.”

I sighed as I got up from my seat, grabbed my purse, and held onto Ethan’s elbow.

“Don’t mind her. She’s been very protective of me since the first day I literally ran into her and knocked all her books out of her hand.”

“I don’t blame her. She’s your best friend, and best friends look out for each other.”

Ethan walked me to the limo and opened the door for me.

“It’s nice to see you again, Aubrey,” Harry spoke.

“It’s nice to see you too.”

Ethan shut the door and climbed in on the other side.

“To LuLu’s bakery in SoHo, Harry.”

“Let me guess. A lemon cake for Mrs. Klein?”

“Yep.” He sighed.

I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. Being with him tonight was nice, and I was happy that I agreed to go to the party with Penelope. A part of me was still a little mad at him for not calling me, but the other part of me was happy to be with him. I still needed to be careful where he was concerned. My heart was okay, and I wanted it to stay that way. I wasn’t entirely sure how he felt about me being visually impaired, and I wasn’t about to let myself become too involved with a man like him. He was complicated, and I needed to find out more about him. That was a strategy I needed to play out very carefully.

The limo came to a stop, and Ethan announced that we had arrived at our destination. Getting out of the car, he opened the door for me.

“Take my hand so I can help you, " he said.

Placing my hand in his, I climbed out and then took hold of his elbow as he led me into the bakery. The minute he opened the door, the aroma of freshly baked pastries swept across my face.

“It smells so good in here.” I smiled.

“It always does.”

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