Chapter 28: Chapter Twenty-Eight

Aubrey

I pull up outside the restaurant where I am meeting Erica for lunch. I stopped by home before I came to shower and change. I left Everett’s place after breakfast. I feel like I had maybe overstayed my welcome a little. It doesn’t seem to me like having a woman in his place for so long is something he is used to. It is fine, though. It isn’t like we are together or even dating. I don’t know what we are or what is going on. But I can’t think about Everett right now. Erica can’t pick up on anything. I find a parking space and head inside. My cell beeps as I enter. Taking it out, I am surprised to see a text from Everett.

Hey, can I see you tomorrow night? X

I am surprised he wants to see me so soon. A part of me thought that after he got what he wanted, he would forget about me. I guess I was wrong.

Hey, yeah, I should be free tomorrow night xx

Okay, sweetness. I will call you later. Enjoy your lunch xx

I put my cell on silent and toss it in my bag, glancing around for Erica. I spot her, waiting patiently with two iced coffees already at the table. I smile, strolling over.

“Good afternoon.” I chirp.

She glances up, smiling. “Good afternoon. You seem in a good mood.”

“I am. Have you been waiting long?”

“About ten minutes.” She replies as I sit across from her and take a sip of my coffee.

I feel her eyes on me. I lift my head, looking over at her and a smirk curls on her lips.

“What? Why are you smirking at me? Have I missed something?”

“What were you up to last night?” she asks with a raised brow.

I swallow hard, panicking and shift in my seat. “Nothing much.”

“You are such a bad liar. You have the glow. The sex glow. Are you seeing someone?”

Fuck! Am I that obvious? How do I get myself out of this one? I need to come up with a believable story quickly, one that doesn’t give away the fact that it is Everett. All hell would break loose.

“Kind of. It is casual and new.”

It is mainly the truth.

“Do I know him? Are you ready for something, Aubrey? I don’t want you to get into something you aren’t ready for.” She says softly.

“No, you don’t know him. It is why, for now, it is casual. I am okay with that, but not ready for anything serious.”

“Be careful, okay?”

“I promise, I will.” I smile.

I know she is only looking out for me, which I appreciate.

“Good. Tell me more? Who is he? Where did you meet? I would ask if the sex is good, but by the glow you got going on, I know the answer to that.” She snickers.

I blush, shaking my head.

“I met him at a coffee shop. We have only seen one another a few times. Yes, the sex is amazing, the best I have ever had.” I whisper, not wanting everyone to hear me discussing my sex life.

“Nice. Glad to hear the sex is good. Bad sex sucks. I am so glad it isn’t something I have ever had an issue with. Does the mystery man have a name?”

“Evan,” I reply.

I hope that isn’t too close to Everett’s name for her to click on.

“And do we get to meet him?”

“No, not right now. It is only casual, remember? If it becomes more than that, it may change, but for now, no.”

They will never be able to meet him, not as the man I am hooking up with.

“I look forward to meeting him if that time comes. But you know, if it does get serious, he will need to get past Hugo? Hugo is not going to make it easy for him.” She laughs.

“Trust me, I know.”

He is more like a protective big brother than a cousin-in-law.

“If he doesn’t like him, then you should be wary of him. Hugo is a good judge of character.” She smiles.

“Yes, he is. If either of you gets a bad feeling about him, then it will be a no-go.”

The more I lie, the worse I feel. She nods, and I suggest ordering, wanting to end the topic of conversation. Plus, I am hungry again, even after breakfast only a few hours ago. It is my body recovering for the last couple of nights. Once our order is placed, I make sure we stay away from the topic.

“How are the kids?” I ask.

“They are good. I have a favour to ask. If you don’t want to, it is okay. Could you look after them for a few hours next Friday? Hugo wants to take me out for a date night?” she asks hopefully.

“Of course, I will. I will happily take care of them.” I answer without even thinking about it.

I enjoy babysitting them, and it is the least I can do after everything they have done for me.

“Thank you. You are the best,” she beams and claps her hands.

They deserve a date night. Even after being together for as long as they have and having children, they are still deeply in love. Hugo and Erica are the epitome of the perfect couple, made for each other. Yes, they have their moments and arguments, like everyone else, but they always resolve them quickly. I hope to have a love like theirs one day.

“Any time.”

Erica excuses herself to use the bathroom before our food comes. I take a moment to check my cell and see another text from Everett. Someone is persistent today.

Do you have any plans for tonight? Xx

Does he want to see me tonight? Surely not, but why else would he be asking? I thought he would be happy having a night to himself.

No. Why? Xx

Can I come over? X

Sure, but I have work in the morning xx

Me too! Text me later when it’s best to come over xx

Will do xx

I can’t help but smirk at the fact that he wants to see me and couldn’t wait until tomorrow. I giggle and toss my cell back in my bag just in time for Erica coming back.

“Lover boy? I saw you putting your cell away.” She laughs, taking a seat.

“Yes, it was him. He wants to see me tonight rather than tomorrow night as planned.”

“Oh, you got the man addicted already?” she asks.

“It would seem so.”

He is probably horny, that is his reason for wanting to see me tonight. I don’t have any complaints about that. It will be worth my time, too.