Private Emotions – Appointments (The Private Emotions Trilogy) (13 page)

“Well there you go.” Ethan proclaimed and waited for my response to his suggestion.

“Why not, it’s not like any of us are strangers and now I have two more mouths to feed”.

Mark said, “Well, at least you know what Ronnie and I like, so it shouldn’t be that hard a proposition to figure out a meal plan. If you will excuse us, Emily, we have some work to do but we’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

“Of course, I will leave you guys to your business.” As I was walking away from my embarrassing situation, I heard Ethan say to Mark, “This wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

“I know but we should make the most of it and just go with the flow.” I looked back and he gave me a wave, and then he and Ethan disappeared in the elevator. So, they did know each other after all. This made me wonder just what kind of book that Ethan was having published. Mark was well known to publish self-help books and had made his fortune in that arena. I would probably find out at dinner just what type of book it was, as well as anything else that was pertinent to my budding relationship with the enigma called, Ethan Sterling.

I decided to go to the nearest coffee shop to grab a latte and a sandwich in the half hour that I had left for lunch. I would need to eat something because I had gotten out of bed too late this morning to have breakfast.

As I was having my lunch, I decided to give Barry a call to say hi. It was a while since I spoke to Barry and I did not want to lose touch with someone I considered to be a good friend.

“Hi, Barry. It’s, Em. How are you going?”

“Great, and you?”

“Couldn’t be better. I met someone who I feel is the genuine deal and I will be inviting him over for dinner tonight.”

“That’s really good! Is it the same guy that you brought to the bar for Maria and me to vet for you?” He chuckled at the thought.

“Who, Carl? Oh no, this is someone else.”

“Someone else? Wow, your social life is really taking off.”

I laughed out loud. “Yeah, you could say that but it is still early days yet so only time will tell. I have to get back to work now but let’s catch up soon ok?”

“You just drop by any time you like, little lady.” At that point we said our goodbyes and I returned to the shop.

I walked in to see my boss, Michelle, smiling from ear to ear. “It seems that someone liked our design and they ordered one of our highest priced dresses. Your suggestions to the design paid off, Emily.”

“That’s the kind of news that I like to hear. Which dress was it?”

“She liked the indigo blue one that you made but wanted it in white and with a few modifications to it. Do you think that you can handle it?”

“Absolutely, I will make the most amazing white dress for her and to exact spec. What are her changes?” Michelle handed me a piece of paper with the amendments drawn in over an image of the blue dress that hung in the showcase. “Whoa! This is going to be one hell of a sexy dress...tasteful, but very provocative. I am sure this lady is going to get whatever she wants when she wears this. Do we have her measurements?”

“You know that I don’t miss a trick. Here are her stats.”

“Ok, I will finish up what I am working on today and start this order first thing tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Emily. I know that I can always count on you to deliver. Now, I am going to grab something to eat so see you in a bit.”

For the remainder of the evening I kept my head down and worked. The busier that I was the faster the hours would tick by, at least that was the plan.

It was finally time to call it a day and I practically sprinted out of the office. I had so much to get done to make the evening a success. I wanted to buy all of the ingredients fresh from the local grocers so that was my first stop of the afternoon.

As I was engrossed in the monumental decision of purchasing either the yellow or red bell peppers for the salad, I heard a sweet, soft voice behind me. “Hello.”

“Hello?”

“Kelly, Kelly! Oh there you are. You really must stop running off like that because...”

“Kelly? Oh, the ice-cream girl! How are you Kelly?” Kelly looked even more fragile than when I first saw her that day on my walk home.

“Emily? It’s Julia, how are you?”

“Oh, I am fine Julia, and you?”

“Good, good. We get by don’t we Kelly?” Kelly nodded in agreement. “What are you up to?”

“Sigh, I am in a dilemma. I am making a special dinner tonight and I want everything to be perfect but I don’t know which color bell pepper to buy for the salad.” I must have made a face because Julia smiled and Kelly giggled at my over-the-top expression.

“Are you going to put plum tomatoes in the salad?”

“Yeess. Why?”

“Well then, I would go with the yellow one. The plum tomatoes are already red, so the more colorful the better, especially when a salad is concerned.”

“Of course! That makes perfect sense. Your mommy is really smart, isn’t she Kelly?” Kelly just continued to giggle at me and then ran off to meet her dad.

“Thanks Emily, that’s the second time that you made her laugh. She doesn’t get the opportunity to do it that often.”

“Really?” Just as I was about to enquire a bit further, Scott walked over with Kelly in tow.

“Emily, you remember my husband, Scott.”

“Of course, lovely to meet you again, Scott.” Scott nodded in acknowledgement but there was a strained expression on his face.

“Emily, I am sorry to cut our chat short but we do have an appointment that we must keep. Good luck with your dinner tonight.”

“Thanks again for the bell pepper tip of the day.” As they walked away, I could not help but wonder what Julia meant when she said that, ‘we get by’. “Hmm, how strange?” I happen to glance at my watch and realized that if I did not get a move on I would be late. After paying for my shopping, I rushed out of there to get home in order to organize the apartment, the food and myself on time. This was going to be a special night. Dinner with two of the most important people in my life and a recent third that I hoped would be just as important, perhaps even more so.

I quickly tidied the apartment and set the table while the food was simmering on a low heat. I kept checking on it to make sure that I did not overcook anything. I chopped up the salad and made the other dishes. Everything was going according to plan. I turned off the stove and was now able to concentrate on making myself look the part of the confident hostess.

I decided to wear a lovely, deep purple dress that nipped in comfortably at the waist and draped elegantly over my lower body all the way to the floor. It was cut low to the back, clearly displaying the fact that I was not wearing a bra. I had inherited good genetics in that department, so I could easily pull off the braless look. I let my hair fall naturally and added a bit of sparkle to my eyes with some makeup. I was not about to be outdone by Ethan in the twinkle eyes department.

“There all done and with seven minutes to spare.” I smiled to myself as I looked in the mirror. I looked and felt good, at least in my opinion. It had been a while since I entertained friends in my apartment so I was really looking forward to it.

I used the last bit of time I had to light some candles and put on some of my favorite music. I wanted to create the perfect ambiance for a perfect night with friends. I placed the candles in different parts of the apartment to give the entire place a very romantic feel.

It was now mere seconds before my guests were scheduled to arrive. I started to feel the anticipation building as each of those remaining seconds brought the time closer to the arrival of my friends, and of course, Ethan.

Chapter Seven
Heaven’s Kiss

My menu for the evening was a combination of surf and turf with a medley of seafood ranging from clams and lobster to some very scrumptious shrimp. Those that were not into the seafood could get a porterhouse steak with all the trimmings. There was also a mixture of fresh vegetables, mashed potatoes and a salad that would complement the meal. I had chosen to forgo any wine in hopes that Ethan would bring some with him.

The light of the candles gave the entire apartment a dreamy and sensual feel. As the shadow of the furniture danced with every flicker of the flames, my mind immediately flashed back to the night that I visited Ronnie and Mark in their hotel suite. I witnessed a performance that, as my best friend phrased it, ignited my plan to change my status quo. I smiled to myself as I remembered how uninhibited and passionate they were with each other. I wondered if I would ever experience that with a man and could that man be Ethan? The music was helping me to keep calm as the time had finally arrived for my guests of honor to make their entrance.

Mark and Ronnie were the first to arrive and for some reason they were a little nervous being around me. I just took it as them being overly protective and they probably thought that I was jumping into things too quickly. I never really had to make the effort to extend an invitation to a man because I was usually the one being asked.

“Hi guys, I am so happy that you could make it tonight.”

Mark spoke first. “Wow, Em, you scrub up well don’t you?” He beamed a smile of approval at my efforts.

“Mark darling, stop teasing, Emily. I am sure that, Em has put a lot of effort into everything tonight so please be on your best behavior.”

“Yes ma’am, I just love it when she talks to me like that.” Mark was definitely in a good mood tonight but I still could not help the feeling that something was not quite right. I brushed it off and guided my friends toward the dining area of my apartment.

“Oh, nice, Em and everything smells lovely. You have been a busy little bee.”

I responded with my best attempt at a posh British accent. “Of course not darling, I just ensemble a few things, my efforts were minimal, this I can assure you.”

Ronnie laughed. “That was a terrible attempt at being British. So, Em, Mark told me that you know Ethan. Maybe you can fill me in on just how close you two have become.”

Mark had strayed into the kitchen to take a peek at what was on the menu for the evening. Typical, it was all about the stomach.

“I don’t like to kiss and tell but I can say to you that I find him very attractive and not just on the outside. He has a quality about him that I find appealing and this might be just what you and the doctor ordered.”

“Yes, Ethan is a great guy.” The expression on Ronnie’s face suddenly changed into a more serious version of her earlier self. “Em, there is something that you need to know and that is...”

“Honey, would you come here for a second?” I watched her go over to him and her body language was stiff and demanding. I believe I was witnessing an argument that had something to do with me.

I was friends with Ronnie long enough to know when she was in strong disagreement with someone’s point of view. She was a free spirit so it rarely happened but this was definitely one of those rare times. She was clearly unhappy about what Mark was whispering to her.

Ronnie came back and I said, “Are you guys fighting?...because if you are, it might put a damper on the night.”

“No, we’re not fighting, just having a difference of opinion and it’s up in the air right now as to who is right.” Ethan arrived about that time and he did indeed bring a bottle of wine with him.

He looked incredible as he stepped forward from the hall through my doorway. He wore dark pants and a deep blue silk shirt that made his eyes look bluer than I had remembered. His hair was neatly combed away from his face and his smile was just...was just...mmmph. There were no words that could express it. As he stood closer to give me the bottle of wine I could smell his cologne. It lightly intoxicated my senses when I reached forward to take his gift.