Private Emotions – Appointments (The Private Emotions Trilogy) (15 page)

“That’s great news, Em. Just cut him a bit of slack ok? You can be a bit hasty sometimes.”

“I am not hasty, Mom, I am assertive. There is a difference.”

“Sure, darling. I must go now because I need to get to the shop before they close, I ran out of milk. Do you have something for dinner?”

“Yes, I just had some leftovers from last night.” Goodness, mothers are relentless. People would think that I had an eating disorder. “Mom, I always had a healthy appetite as a child and things have not changed since.”

“I know but I have to ask. It’s what mothers do. Have a good night, Em.”

“Bye, Mom.” She was always able to put a smile on my face.

I finished answering my emails and switched on the tele. There was nothing special on so I put on some music while I got ready for bed. I hoped that Barry would have that chat with Maria tonight. I lost my father to cancer, so it was not something that I took lightly. I was sure it would be okay and Maria would be just fine.

Barry called during my lunch hour to let me know that Maria took the news well and had an appointment to see the doctor early Monday morning. I offered to go with Maria to her appointment but she was adamant that it was unnecessary so I did not push the issue. At least, we made arrangements to meet up the following week at the tavern. Perhaps I should extend an invitation to Ethan to join me. I was sure that he would like Barry and Maria.

I had my own appointment with Susan that evening. Although I still enjoyed our visits and valued her opinion, I found myself needing her services less as time went on. I was starting to feel more comfortable with being me and giving my intuition a bit more credit.

I drove straight home after seeing Susan because I wanted to catch Ethan home to tell him about meeting up at Woody’s Tavern. We would be meeting during his working hours, so the more notice that I gave to him, the easier it may be for him to rearrange his schedule.

I knocked on his door but my prayers were not answered because he did not seem to be at home. I started to feel the disappointment setting in but on entering my apartment I found a note from Ethan.

‘Hi, Emily. I would love to see you again. I had to travel at short notice due to business commitments but will be back early next week. It would be nice to meet up if you are free. Ethan.’

“Yes, there is a god after all!” I walked through to the kitchen, made myself a coffee and wrote a reply to Ethan.

‘Hi, Ethan. That sounds great. I will be meeting up with a couple of friends at, Woody’s Tavern, around 6:30 PM on Wednesday of next week. We could have some drinks with them first and then take it from there? Emily.’

I slipped my note under Ethan’s door and felt my heart skip a beat at the thought of seeing him again. I could never forget or deny the way that he made me feel.

The weekend went by without much excitement. On Saturday I did the chores, replenished the cupboard and fridge with food and put out the trash. “Hmm, I wonder how Maria got on with her appointment at the doctor. I will call her tomorrow for a chat.” I decided to stay in the rest of the weekend to catch up with friends on the Internet and do some reading.

I woke up late on Sunday, so the afternoon hours were upon me before I knew it. I felt that now was a good time to give Maria a call.

“Hi, Maria. Its, Emily.”

“Oh hi, Emily. Barry told me that we are meeting up for drinks on Wednesday, are you still up for it?”

“Absolutely, I just really called to see how things went with you know... your appointment.”

“They took some tests and I will have to visit them again once they receive the results. Um, Em, I need a favor.”

“Sure Maria, what is it.” Her change in tone made me feel immediately concerned.

“I didn’t mind going to the doctor’s on my own to take the test. That was the easy part. The part that scares me is collection of the results. Would you mind coming along with me to...”

“Consider it done Maria. Whatever day or time it is, you just let me know and I will be there. We can take my car so that you wouldn’t have to worry about driving. I will wait for you and drop you back home after the appointment.”

She laughed at my quick response to take control of the situation. “Hey, they have not diagnosed anything yet so don’t go getting all protective on me, but I do accept your taxi services. Thanks, Em.”

“Anytime Maria, you and Barry have been good friends. Oh, before I forget, I have extended the invitation to Ethan to join us for drinks, if that’s okay?”

“You know it is. I will even polish up my man detector antennas just for you.” She laughed at the thought of scoping out, as she likes to put it, Emily’s victims.

I fished up my book, had some dinner and called it a night. A new week was ahead of me and that week would have Ethan in it.

Over the next couple of days I worked late to complete the dress that I had been assigned. I completed it exactly according to specification and by the Wednesday 11:30 AM deadline date. It was scheduled for pick up at noon that day but no one came to collect it. At round 4:30 PM, the customer called to say that the function she needed the dress for was postponed to the following month so she would pick it up closer to the time. I heard Michelle say, “That’s no problem at all. We will keep it safely tucked away here for you until you are ready.” What! I was so upset. I worked really hard to meet that impossible deadline and it was not even acknowledged.

I left work steaming mad and the only consolation was that I was seeing Barry, Maria and Ethan that evening. I was sure that because of my late hours I did not get the opportunity to bump into him before now, but it didn’t matter now, I would see him soon. I arrived at my apartment, got dressed and made my way to Woody’s Tavern.

“Hi, Emily!” Barry and Maria greeted me with a warm hug. “What would you like to drink?”

“A glass of red would be lovely, thanks.” I needed something to help slow down the tornado that was whirling around inside of me at the thought of Ethan walking through the door any minute now.

“You look like you are dressed to impress tonight. Expecting someone special?” Barry teased, knowing very well that I was expecting someone special, my new favorite ‘E’ word.

“Speaking of special, Em. I think that your date is in the house.” Maria said as she nodded in the direction of the entrance and then leaned over to whisper to me. “Oh my god, Emily, he is one nice piece of artwork.”

Before Ethan was close enough to hear what we were saying, I whispered back. “I know. The word ‘delicious’ does come to mind, doesn’t it?”

Ethan walked in with a sophistication that emanated from him so naturally. He looked amazing, as usual. His deep burgundy shirt gave him a dark, mysterious aura, and ohhh, those amazing eyes that melt me every time they looked in my direction.

“Hello, Emily.” He gave me a warm embrace as if he had not seen me for months. I responded fully and without reservation.

“Ethan, please meet Barry and Maria. Guys, this is, Ethan.” We spent a few moments on the pleasantries before Ethan accepted a glass of the house red.

We spent the next hour or so chatting and getting to know each other. It felt like we were all old friends meeting up for the umpteenth time.

“Would you like a top up on your wine, Ethan?” That was Barry for you, the bartender in him refused to see someone with an empty glass in front of them.

“No more for me, thanks. Unfortunately, I cannot stay but it was great to meet you both.” I felt my heart sink. We were supposed to spend the evening together and after such a shit day I was really looking forward to Ethan’s company.

“Em, can I chat with you for a second?” I really did not want to hear any excuses, I just wanted to feel the closeness of what we had that night on the sofa. We walked outside to the front of the Tavern where there were a few tables and chairs for those who preferred to sit in the open air.

“I am sorry, Em. Business ran over and I only just got in. I saw your note and came over immediately to see you but I need to rush off again. Things are not going as smoothly as planned and I need to sort it out.” Even though I understood that life could sometimes get in the way, I could not hide the disappointment on my face.

“Sure, I understand. These things happen, right?” Ethan was a very perceptive man. He knew that I was trying to be casual about the situation.

He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me closer to him. I could feel the warmth of his body against mine as he kissed me softly on my lips. His tongue slowly entered my mouth and it began to explore mine. God, he felt good. He embraced me tighter as he arched my body into him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and began to drift into another world. Fuck, I could so easily fall in love with this man. He pulled back slightly to look at me. Damn, he definitely knew how to kiss a woman.

“How about I extend the invitation this time? Would you join me for dinner? If you are free on Friday around 7:00 PM then I am all yours for the night.” He winked at me after that statement with a mischievous fire in his eyes. The thought of being alone with him gave me an instant hot flush. I was now almost the same color of his shirt. Shit, I wished that my emotions wouldn’t betray me so easily. I have got to learn the art of wearing a poker face. “Just bring your beautiful self and your appetite, and I’ll do the rest.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I can walk you back to you door if you like? I need to collect some papers from the apartment before I leave so it would be no trouble at all.” I could not go home to an empty apartment. I spent most of last weekend indoors and I just felt like socializing tonight.

“Thanks but I think that I will stay and hang out with Barry and Maria a bit longer before I call it quits on the evening.” I looked up at him with a smile on my face. It was so easy to feel good around Ethan. There was just something about him that made me feel comfortable.

Before I could say anything else he ran his fingers through my hair and pulled me to him for a kiss. This time it was harder, more intense. His tongue feverishly darted in and out of my mouth and I felt his breath quicken. I closed my eyes and moaned softly at his display of enthusiasm. His kiss became more fervent and without warning he gently bit my lower lip as he abruptly pulled away. He looked at me briefly with a soft smile on his face and then walked away.

I had to lean against one of the tables so that I would not fall over. My legs were proving to be a useless form of support around Ethan. Shit, a couple of kisses and I was in heat and having heart palpitations. How was I going to survive the night with him alone!