Page 95 of Holding On

"Boyfriend," he says, correcting me. He holds his hand out to my mom. "Good to see you again." He shakes Jim's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Ethan Baxter?" Jim asks, sounding both surprised and impressed.

"That's me." Ethan takes the chair next to mine and I help him set his crutches down. "I take it you like football?"

"Huge fan. Both college and professional." He nudges my mom. "Why didn't you tell me your daughter's dating Ethan Baxter?"

She picks up her Bloody Mary. "I didn't think about it. I only found out myself just yesterday. And you know me. I don't follow sports. I didn't even know who he was until he told me."

Jim grins at Ethan. "You're slated to be a first round draft pick. Isn't that right?"

"That's what they say but you can never be sure."

"But how's that going to work with your leg? Are you even going to be able to play this season?"

I look at Ethan and see him tensing up. The last thing he wants to talk about is his injury and what it means for his football career. I promised to save him from these types of questions so I blurt out, "Jim works in finance."

"Oh, yeah?" Ethan says. "What kind of work?"

Jim's brows draw together, clearly confused by the change in topics. "I work for an investment firm in Chicago."

"What type of investments?"

"Stocks, bonds, mutual funds. I focus mainly on retirement accounts."

Ethan leans back in his chair. "So where do you think the market is headed? After two quarters of losses do you think it'll bounce back?"

Ethan knows about the stock market? For some reason I find that sexy.

The waitress stops by. "What can I get you?" she asks Ethan.

He looks for a menu but she already took them.

"I'll get you one," the waitress says.

"That's okay. I'll just take a ham and cheese omelet."

After she leaves, Jim talks about his job. Mom looks bored to tears, sucking down her Bloody Mary. I'm bored, too, listening to Jim drone on, but I'm happy Ethan's here. The tension at the table lessened as soon as he showed up, at least for me it did. Mike still looks uncomfortable.

I can't believe Ethan came here today. He didn't want to, but he did. For me. He knew I needed him, so he got up, got dressed, and took a cab all the way here to be with me.

What am I going to do with you, Ethan? You're making me fall for you, harder than I should.

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