Chapter 22: Chapter Twenty-Two

Aubrey

I am getting ready for dinner with Hugo and Erica. I would rather not be going, but they insisted. There is someone else joining us. I thought they knew I wasn’t ready to date, but they promised me nothing is expected. They want me to have a little fun with no strings attached. Nothing will happen with him, even if he is lovely, because I have enough going on with Everett in my life, never mind another man. I can’t deal with him, never mind someone new. I have been avoiding Everett for the last week after what happened between us. He hasn’t been trying to reach out, but I have ignored his calls and texts. I wish he would take the hint.

I stand in front of the mirror in a cute red, strappy dress and sigh. I hate myself in a dress. I make sure my hair is sitting on and finish off my look with some lip gloss. I have heels on, but small ones. I have never been great in heels. My Uber will arrive soon. I won’t be out long.

Making sure I have everything, I head outside to wait for my Uber. It is only five minutes away. I see it approach and sight loudly, hesitantly climbing in. We are going to an Italian restaurant. I stare out of the window on the ride. The sound of my cell beeping distracts me. I had a feeling who it was. I take it from my bag and see a text from Everett.

Are you just going to continue to ignore? Do I need to show up at your place again? Xx

You can show up if you want, but I won’t be in. I have a date.

I shouldn’t have texted that, but with any luck, it will make him back off.

With who? I thought you weren’t ready for dating.

It is a blind date set up by our brother and my cousin x

So, you will meet a stranger, but not even have a coffee with me?

I decide to leave the conversation there and toss it back in my bag. I arrive at the restaurant sooner than I would like. I take a moment before paying the driver and climb out, heading inside. I glance around, looking for them. My eyes fall on them. My “date” is with them. I wanted to turn and walk out, but I am here now. I can do this. I will be polite and friendly, but after tonight, I don’t plan on seeing him. I hope we don’t connect, and he doesn’t like me. It will make things simpler.

I take a deep breath and head over. My date is cute, but not really my type. He is blonde. I much prefer dark-haired men.

“Hello.” I greet.

Erica jumps to her feet and hugs me. “You came. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“I thought about it.” I laugh.

Hugo stands to greet me and lastly my date.

“Aubrey, this is Ben. Ben, this is my cousin Aubrey.” Erica introduces.

I smile sweetly at him. “Hello Ben, it is nice to meet you.”

He smiles back. “You too, Aubrey.”

The four of us sit at the table, Hugo pouring us all a drink from the bottle of champagne already on the table. I will need a drink to get through this night. It isn’t Ben’s fault. He has no idea about me or my past. I don’t know how my night will go. I will probably be quiet. I don’t want to come across as rude, though.

The night is going well. I am getting along with Ben, but there isn’t anything between us. No chemistry. He is a sweet enough man. I suddenly sense that someone is watching me. I glance around, and my eyes fall on who it is. Everett is at the bar with a drink in his hand. What the hell is he doing here? Did Hugo mention where we were going tonight?

He smirks and lifts his glass to me. I roll my eyes. I excuse myself from the table to go to the bathroom and motion for Everett to follow me. I want to know why the hell he is here. I make sure I am out of view of the table and wait for him. He soon saunters towards, a smug look on his face.

“Fancy meeting you here.” He chuckles as he appears before me.

“What are you doing here? How long ago did you arrive?”

He steps closer, trapping me between the wall and him. “Long enough to see you aren’t interested in your date. Why are you still hanging around?”

“What has it got to do with you?”

He places his hand on the wall at the side of my head. “I don’t like being messed around, Aubrey. Did you agree to the date to try to make me jealous? If that was your plan, then it didn’t work.”

I gather myself. “If you weren’t jealous, then why are you here?”

“Maybe I wanted a drink.”

“And out of all the places you could have one, you end up here. I don’t know what your game is, Everett, but it isn’t going to work.”

He reaches in and tucks my hair behind my ear. “Are you sure about that? I know you have been thinking about me since our time together. Why do you keep fighting it?”

His lips inch closer to mine. I should turn my head or push him away, but I can’t. My body won’t let me. Before I have a chance to say another word, his lips come down on mine. A deep moan falls from my lips, and my arms go around his neck, kissing him back. It becomes frantic quickly. He presses my back against the wall, his body tight to mine.

I run my fingers through his hair, deepening the kiss, and he grasps my hip. What am I doing? What if Hugo or Erica catches us? I should stop. I part from the kiss, pushing him away to put a distance between us.

“We need to stop. Hugo or Erica can’t see us.”

“You are right, or I will be a dead man. Can I see you tonight after your date is over?”

I am sure I will regret this, but I find myself nodding. “Only if you leave now and don’t let anyone else see you.”

“I can do that. Text me when you are home. Enjoy the rest of your boring date.”

He pecks my lips before he disappears. Taking a moment to pull it together, I return to my table. I see Everett head out and sigh in relief. At least no one else saw him. I will stay another hour and tell them I am tired and head home.