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.”
