Page 73 of Champagne Nights

“That’s fine. I just thought I’d ask.”

I set down my phone and got back to work. My tech team was working today on that app I wanted to create. Walking down to their department, I found them huddled around a table.

“Anything yet?” I asked.

“We’re having trouble with the voiceover. It’s thirty percent complete.”

“Alright. Just keep working at it.”

Looking at my watch, I noticed it was three o’clock. Why on earth would she want to rock climb? Fuck. I couldn’t get the thought out of my head. Instead of going back to my office, I headed out the door and hailed a cab to the Chelsea Pier Sports Center.

When I arrived, I asked the young girl at the front desk where their rock climbing was.

“All the way in the back and to the right. Do you have an appointment?” she asked.

“No. I’m just here to support a friend of mine who’s doing it.”

“Oh. Okay.”

When I found the section where the rock climbing was, I clenched my fist when I saw a man with his arms around Aubrey’s waist. I stood back and watched as she began to climb the wall—the man who had helped her glanced over and looked at me. Bringing my finger to my lips, I motioned for him not to alert Aubrey that I was there.

“Hey, Alyssa, keep an eye on Aubrey. I’ll be right back.”

He walked over to me, and we stepped away from the area.

“Can I help you with something?”

“I’m just here to watch her, but I don’t want her to know.”

“Dude, that’s creepy.”

I couldn’t help but give him a half smile.

“I’m a close friend of hers. She called me earlier and asked me to come with her, but I couldn’t. I just wanted to see her do it. To be honest, I’m a little nervous.”

“Why? It’s not the first time she’s rock climbed. She’s been here several times, and she’s really good. If you’re such a close friend, you would know that. Listen, you need to let her know you’re here, or I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Then, after you leave, I’ll tell her you were here but didn’t want her to know.”

“Fine.”

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Ethan Klein.”

“I’m Justin. Nice to meet you.”

Rolling my eyes, I followed him over to where Aubrey was. She was already halfway up the wall.

“Hey, Aubrey,” Justin spoke.

“Yeah.” She turned her head to him.

“You have a visitor. He says his name is Ethan Klein.”

“Ethan.” A smile crossed her face. “I thought you couldn’t come.”

“I finished earlier than I thought, so I came down here to watch you.”

“Watch me? No, Ethan, I want you to climb with me.”

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