by Anna Paige
He made short work of greeting Arthur and a few of the other staffers before approaching me as I reached for my coat.
“Leaving already?” He took my coat and proceeded to help me slip it on.
I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Yes, sir. I’m only here until four since I’m opening this week.” I’d changed the schedule around so I could leave for the day as early as possible. With Ethan in town, I wanted my afternoons as free as I could manage to make them. Mornings were a bitch, but it wasn’t like I anticipated sleeping much anyway, so whatever.
And the Death Wish coffee really did help.
I’d be buying stock in that stuff by the end of the year, if Ethan kept me up every night like he had the last two nights. Not that I was complaining.
Sleep be damned.
I’d rest after New Year’s.
After he went back to his life and left New York, and me, behind.
This is a fling, I’ve got to remember that.
It’s a fling, not a forever.
And despite what Aubrey says, I have to keep thinking of it that way until Ethan says different.
I can’t set myself up for heartbreak.
I have to be realistic. Practical. Rational.
That’s the thing about hearts, though.
They don’t know what it means to be practical.
They’re no good at being rational.
They only know how to fall…
“Emily?”
I blinked, having spaced out. “Yes, sir?”
“Niko, please,” he corrected. “I asked if you’d like to grab a cup of coffee. I’m on my way out, as well.”
“Sorry, I was going over my grocery list in my head. I appreciate the invite, but I’m meeting a friend.”
He looked sullen as he tipped his head. “Another time, perhaps.”
I didn’t say anything, just smiled and got the hell out of there.
Since when does Niko ask employees out for coffee? There’s coffee in the break room.
Didn’t matter. I’d never go to coffee with him. As my boss, I respected him and was grateful for my job, but as a man he gave me the freaking willies. I frequently reminded myself that working in the gallery, around the art and artists, was what I loved. It didn’t have to be a perfect job, it was still my dream come true, even if the owner was…eccentric at times.
I was still shuddering at the thought of him asking me out when my phone chirped in my coat pocket.
Ethan: What are you wearing?
Me: Not a thing. I’m standing in the middle of Sixth Avenue in nothing but heels.
Ethan: If you freeze off my favorite parts of that delicious body, I’m gonna be super pissed.
Me: Which parts are your favorite?
Ethan: All. Of. Them. Now, get some clothes on woman and get over here. Thai food will be delivered within the hour, and I’ll be eating YOU shortly thereafter.
Me: Bossy!
Ethan: Sexy!
I couldn’t stop smiling as I ducked my head to block the cold and made my way the two blocks to my apartment.
It’s a fling.
Just a fling.
Don’t fall in love with a guy you can’t possibly keep.
Too late, a little voice chimed in.
My heart wasn’t listening to reason.
I was falling in love with Ethan ‘Conspicuous’ Chase.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Emily
We spent Monday night at Ethan’s and Tuesday at my apartment, where my screaming totally freaked out Janice again—who called before showing up at the door, thank goodness.
Answering the door would have been awkward, since Ethan had me pinned against it while he took me from behind. There were probably claw marks in the wood, not that I’d bothered to check.
My neighbors were going to hate me, if they didn’t already.
Wednesday, Aubrey and I met up to have lunch before going out to do the grocery shopping.
She let me choose the place, so I went with an amazing sandwich shop not far from my apartment. They had the best paninis and homemade soups ever. The place was so popular they had a line around the block every day at noon, which is why we did an early lunch to beat the crowd.
Aubrey was dipping her Italian panini into her tomato bisque when she asked, “How are things with you and Ethan? That kiss the other night nearly set off the smoke alarm, so I’m guessing you two had just as much fun as Kade and I did.”
I felt my cheeks heating. “Things were…intense.”
“Were or are?”
“Both,” I admitted. “This week has been amazing.”
“It’s only halfway over, sweets. And the best is yet to come. I promise.”
“The concert, you mean?”
“Your amazing dinner tomorrow, the concert, the talk show, the surprise appearance on Friday…all of it. After today, all hell breaks loose.”
“What surprise appearance?”
She frowned. “The one super early on Friday morning. Ethan hasn’t mentioned it?”
“No.”
“Hmm. He must have been distracted by something. Wonder what it could have been…” She winked. “Ask him about it later. I’m sure it just slipped his mind.”
Had we really been so wound up in each other that he forgot what sounded like a huge event?
Maybe he didn’t want you there, so he didn’t tell you about it.
Mother’s voice swooped in like a vulture to pick at any shred of insecurity. It had been happening more and more since Ethan got into town. Like that night after he showed me the painting. I’d sat in front of it in the darkness, still in awe that he’d chosen to paint someone as unremarkable as me. Not only that, but he’d captured the real me—the insecure me who lets her mother’s stupid, nagging voice creep in and ruin everything. The me who tries so hard to be everything my mother isn’t: compassionate, nurturing, loving, stable. The me who is passionate about art because I came from an artist, because I have his heart if not his talent. The me who’s vulnerable and alone but not giving up or letting shit stop me from trying. All of it, he captured all of it with his brush. And I was in awe.
Sure enough, Mother’s nagging, niggling voice had chimed in.
Better take a photo of it now because that’s all you’ll have left of him after he leaves you. Not even the painting, which you know he’ll never let you keep because he’s going to sell it someday. Because it’s just a painting to him, nothing more.
God, I hated that voice.
I pictured a Whack-A-Mole game in my head, only in my imagination it was Whack-A-Mom, and I was standing at the ready, mallet in hand.
Say something else, bitch.
“Em?” Aubrey’s brow furrowed as she looked at me. “You okay?”
“Sorry.” I smiled, picking up my spoon. “Spaced out a little. Probably from lack of sleep.”
“Isn’t it the best when a guy is so hungry for you that the two of you walk around like zombies from fucking all night?”
I nearly shot soup out my nose. “You don’t pull any punches, do you?” I sputtered, looking around to see who might have overheard. Her bodyguard was rubbing his face and looking anywhere but at us, so clearly, he’d caught it.
“Whoops. Sorry. Too much time around Lennox, I guess. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“You didn’t. I just wasn’t expecting such a blunt statement.”
“Blunt but accurate?”
I nodded and smiled down at my soup when she giggled in response.
“Your bestie will be there tomorrow, right? What does she think of the whole thing?”
I did another quick scan of the room and muttered, “She doesn’t know everything, of course, but she’s really excited for me. And nervous to meet everyone tomorrow. She’s probably home right now baking up a storm. It’s her therapy, which works out great because mine is eating.”
“Mine, too.” Aubrey laughed as she pushed her bowl and sandwich plate away. “I can’t wait
to meet her. I’m really excited to have other women to hang with for once. Being the only girl with those five goofballs gets old sometimes. I mean, I love them all dearly, but a girl can only tread water in that ocean of testosterone for so long before she goes insane.”
“They don’t bring girls on the buses to…hang out?”
“Nope. Not after the drama with Kane last year.”
I blinked. “You mean Kade, don’t you?” I’d heard all the stories—not that it was my business, but it had been everywhere, so it was hard not to notice.
She blanched. “Yeah, that’s what I meant.”
I eyed her for a second. “Uh huh. Then why do you look like you just outed a state secret?”
There was a long pause as we stared each other down.
“That pic that started all the drama, it was Kane, wasn’t it?”
Her gaze flitted around the room, and she gave an infinitesimal nod. “No one outside the band knows that, though.”
“And no one will ever hear it from me. I promise,” I assured her, reaching over to squeeze her hand.
“I know. If Ethan trusts you, I have no doubt I can too. I’m just pissed at myself for the slip because it could have been a real mess if I was talking to anyone else.”
“Nah. Their names are similar enough that you could just play it off as a slip of the tongue.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She fiddled with her straw. “It’s just always there, that worry that I’ll do something to hurt one of them. Kade is my husband, the love of my life. And Kane is my best friend. I love them both so much. And it’s not just them. I try so hard to protect my boys. All of them. Ethan always seems to have everything under control, but I spend an insane amount of time worrying about him, this balancing act he’s got going. Jared has his own issues going on, but he at least lets me help where I can.”
“And Lennox?”
“Pfft… there’s no help for Lennox.” She smirked. “He’s so wide open, there’s no point even trying.”
“I told Ethan I thought he was that way because he’s either never been in love or he fell for someone who burned him really bad.”
“Sounds about right. I don’t have particulars, since it was before my time, but I think Lenn falls into that second category.”
I tipped my head. “I’m sorry if Ethan won’t let you help as much as you’d like. I can talk to him, if you want.”
“No, no. It’s fine. He’s just independent. Besides, he’s been letting me do more lately, which is progress. I’m actually handling something special for him Friday morning while they’re otherwise engaged.”
I just nodded, since I didn’t know what was going on with the surprise appearance yet.
Aubrey slid a fifty under her plate and dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “You ready to hit the store?”
I followed her out a minute later as fat flakes of snow started to fall all around us, and my stomach tied itself in knots. I was actually going to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the most popular rock band on the planet.
For fuck’s sake, don’t let me burn the stupid turkey.
Chapter Forty
Emily
“Dana!” I called happily, setting down the celery I was dicing as Dammit went streaking past me to dance at Auntie Dana’s feet.
I’d left the door unlocked for her after buzzing her through security.
Ethan was running a last-minute errand that he refused to tell me about, and Aubrey was on her way over to help with the food prep. The rest of the guys were probably sleeping late, resting up for the chaotic couple of days ahead.
“Hey, damn doggie! Did you miss me?” Dana cooed, leaning down to give Dammit a quick cuddle after she sat her bags and boxes on the table.
“He’s been pestering me all morning. Little beggar.”
“Where is everyone? I’m just tipsy enough to make it through the introductions without fainting.”
I scoffed. “Oh, shut up. You aren’t drinking this early.”
“Egg nog. Bestest breakfast ever. It even has eggs in it, so you can’t fuss.”
“You’re so full of shit. And even if you’re not, it was a wasted effort. No one’s here yet. Ethan will be back soon, though. And Aubrey’s on her way to help us cook.”
“What’s she like? She must be a total badass to tame Kade Edenfield.”
“She’s actually really sweet.”
“Ah. An opposites attract thing.” She dipped her head.
“Not really. He’s not nearly as scary as people think. He just has the male version of resting bitch face. Aubrey calls it jerk face.”
Dana snickered. “I think I’ll stick to Kade. Or Mr. Edenfield.”
I tossed a look at her over my shoulder, snorting. “Do not call him Mr. Edenfield, you weirdo.”
“Oh, bite me. I’m allowed to be awkward and nervous. I’m standing in Ethan Chase’s loft, about to meet half a dozen celebrities who I’m actually serving my cooking to in a few hours.”
“Just steer clear of gushing fangirl moments and hope you didn’t get a hair in the pie.”
“Fuck, why would you put that horrific thought in my head?”
“Because it’s funny.”
“I hate you.”
“You keep saying that word. I don’t think it means what you—“
“Shut up, Inigo. You’re being a shit. Just because you’re all calm about this doesn’t mean you can pick on me.”
I gave the stuffing one final stir in the bowl and wiped my hands on a nearby towel before walking over to put my arm around my shaky best friend. “You’ll be fine. Talk to them like you would anyone else. They’re regular people. Well, except maybe Lennox. I think he might be a little unbalanced, but the rest of them are normal.”
“Why are the hot ones always crazy?”
“You don’t think the rest of them are hot?” I quirked a brow.
“Oh, they’re all hot as fuck. Wouldn’t kick a single one of them out of bed unless it was so I could ride them on the floor. I merely think Lennox is particularly appealing.”
“You’re a mess.” I swatted her with the towel in my hand. “And you promised.”
“I know. But I’m still allowed to look, right?”
“Yes, but if you get too eager, I’m invoking the three-foot rule. Thirty-six inches between you and the hotties at all times.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll probably take one look at them and freeze up like I did that time I spotted Keanu Reeves on the subway, and he said hello.”
I cringed, hard. “Oh, shit. I forgot about that.”
“Wish I could.” She frowned, looking more nervous by the minute.
“Stop worrying. You’ll do great.”
“Time will tell. But at least I have an excuse to skip out early, in case I make a huge ass of myself.” She rolled her eyes.
“I still can’t believe that bastard is making you work on Thanksgiving.”
“He says people eat early and drink late, so it’s a perfect time to have the bar open. At least I don’t have to go in until eight. Gives me time to hang here a while before you guys head out for the concert.”
“I hate your new boss, and I haven’t even met him yet. Asshole.”
“Me, too. But the money is good, and the customers are nice, even if management isn’t. It only bothers me when I miss the big stuff. Like your exhibition. And this concert. Oh, and probably Christmas Eve, since he’s already suggested that I’d be the best one to work it since I have no husband or kids at home.”
I could feel myself getting ready to snap. When I finally did meet that sack of shit, it was going to take every bit of self-control I could muster not to kick him in the nads.
That disappointed look on her face was killing me.
I gave her shoulder a squeeze and stepped over to the mountain of boxes she’d set on the table, lifting the lid on one of them. “Damn, what is this one?” I asked, looking for a way to change the subject.
She peeked into the box
. “Chocolate silk with pecans. I have one without nuts, too. And apple, pumpkin, regular pecan,” she counted them off on her fingers. “There are also two cheesecakes, one plain and one banana cream with a Nutter Butter crust.”
“How the hell did you carry all this up here?”
“Girl, I’ve been waitressing for over a decade. I can juggle twice that without breaking a sweat.” She reached into the larger of the two bags she’d brought in and nudged the pie boxes aside, withdrawing three cans of whipped cream. Winking, she handed one to me. “Two should be plenty. Hang on to this one for later.”
I looked down at the can with a raised brow, saying nothing.
The sound of the elevator doors opening made Dana jump, and Aubrey walked in a second later, her arms laden with bags.
“Here, let me help you.” I rushed over to take some of them from her, and Dana did the same.
“You must be Emily’s friend. Dana, right?” Aubrey blew a few strands of her dark hair from her face.
“Yeah. Hi.” Dana smiled, looking like she didn’t know whether to offer her hand or what.
“Nice to meet you.” Aubrey leaned in for a quick hug, and I saw Dana’s shoulders relax.
“Hey, Dammit! How’s my favorite pup this morning?” Dammit was winding around her ankles like a cat.
“He’s in full-on beggar mode.”
Aubrey smiled and reached into one of the bags, withdrawing one of those fillable toys that you could put peanut butter and stuff in. She held it up to show it to me. “Can he have this? It might keep him busy for a while.”
“Sure. What should we put in it?” I didn’t know if Ethan had peanut butter.
“Already way ahead of you. And I apologize in advance. It was my husband’s idea.”
I was grinning already. “What was his idea?”
She pulled a can of spray cheese from the bag and held it up. “It’s made for dogs. Got it at the same store where we got the toy.”
“Easy Cheese for dogs? Really?” Dana snorted.
“I thought Lennox was going to steal it, the idiot. He was looking for crackers and everything.”
“He’s definitely unbalanced.” I flicked a glance to Dana.
