Page 50 of Love Unavoidable
Chapter 13
sadie
I would say that I sensed Ethan’s presence long before I saw him, but I don’t believe in that kind of stuff. So, my next guess would be that I had him on my mind and conjured up a look alike. But that ain’t true neither. Because what really happened is that right smack dab in the middle of my date, Ethan comes walking into the same restaurant I am at, with some beautiful blonde on his arm, and gets seated not three tables away from my date, Marcus, and me.
What are the chances? About the same as gettin’ socks on a rooster, I’d say. I pretend not to see him and keep my eyes fixed on Marcus. Even though my eyes pretend he isn’t there, the rest of me didn’t get the same memo since my heart is racing and my cheeks are flaming.
We haven’t spoken or seen each other in almost three days. The morning after our heated discussion, he had to go to work. He was on shift for forty-eight hours. So there is no way for him to even know I have a date. I told Kat though, just for safety reasons.
I tune back in to my dinner companion only to realize he is still talking and I’m not sure about what. My voice shakes as I laugh at whatever Marcus is saying. I sure hope it’s something intended to be funny. The remaining half of my burger sits on my plate, untouched. The first half was fantastic, but now I don’t have much of an appetite. I peek at Marcus’ plate and see that he has finished all his halibut and the side dishes.
“Was it not very good?” Marcus asks me.
“Quite the contrary, it’s exceptional. Definitely rivals some places back home.” I smile, casually trying to peek around him and get a glimpse of Ethan and his date. When I do, Ethan is looking right at me. I avert my eyes quickly and continue to pretend that he isn’t there. Which works right up until he is standing before me at our table.
“I thought that was you, Grace,” Ethan says with an odd-looking smile on his face. “That’s weird, running into you here.”
“Friend of yours?” Marcus asks. Ethan turns to him and puts his hand out, “Ethan Stone. I live with Grace.”
“Grace?” Marcus looks puzzled. I don’t blame him.
Ethan chuckles, but it’s forced. “Sorry, that’s my pet name for Sadie. I forget not to call her that in public.”
“Pet name?” Marcus asks.
“Ethan.” I jump right in, don’t even test the water first. “I’m sure your date is wondering what you are doing over here. You should really get back to her. Like right now.” I keep my voice friendly, but firm. And try to tell him with my eyes to back off.
“Nah, she’s fine. In fact, I will just bring her over here and we’ll join the two of you. Free up our table for anyone who is waiting.” He turns back to the blonde and waves his arm. “Bree, come on over. We’re going to sit with my friends.”
Bree looks about as happy about this new arrangement as Marcus and I do. But she comes over anyway and sits in the chair that Ethan pulls out for her between Marcus and me. Then he pulls the remaining chair around to my other side, also sitting between Marcus and me.
“So how do you all know each other?” Bree asks the table.
“They live together,” Marcus says tightly. “He calls her Grace.”
Bree raises her eyebrows at that, then turns hand extended. “Nice to meet you, Grace.”
“Actually,” I say. “It’s Sadie.”
“He just said it was Grace,” Bree says.
“No.” Marcus sits back in his chair and folds his arms over his chest. “I said hecallsher Grace.”
“What’s going on here?” Bree reminds me of a hound on the hunt when she asks that.
“Bree.” Ethan settles back and rests his arm on the back of my chair. “This is my friend Sadie and her date. Guys, this is Bree. You may recognize her from the weekday evening news.”
That explains how she sniffed out an awkward situation so quickly.
“Marcus.” Marcus extends his hand by way of introduction, Bree takes his and shakes it in return.
“Nice to meet you, Marcus,” she says.
The server stops by the table. “Oh, your group grew,” she says smiling. “What can I get you newcomers?” Ethan orders a beer and Bree a chardonnay. An uncomfortable silence descends the table when she leaves.
Ethan glares at Marcus. Marcus vacillates between glaring back and checking his watch.
“You got somewhere to be, Marcus?” Ethan asks.
