Chapter 27

Aubrey got to her store way too early and had to wait at the front door for Marion to show up and let her in. She had been in such a hurry to get out of her apartment quickly and quietly enough not to wake Eric, that she had forgotten to remove the spare key to her store from her bunch of keys at home. Their lovemaking last night had been epic, but Aubrey woke up feeling so embarrassed when she remembered how she had cried and told Eric that she loved him.

Gosh! What was I thinking? Why did I say that? She asked herself mentally. Love? Where had that ridiculous word come from?

But then…the sex had been so good, thinking of it now made her toes curl in her boots and her lips curve into a smile.

“Was it that good?” Marion asked, coming up beside Aubrey.

“Huh?” Aubrey was immediately jolted from her reminiscing. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn’t heard her receptionist approaching.

“Ok, stupid question. There’s no way you’re standing out here in the cold, smiling happily if it wasn’t a blast,” Marion giggled.

“What on earth are you talking about?” Aubrey asked with a straight face, her smile gone.

“Aw come on, Aubs. You left here yesterday with a hunk and then showed up this morning with a smile. What am I supposed to think?”

Aubrey rolled her eyes. “Your mind is working overtime again. Please open the door and let me in, I don’t want to get frozen out here. And please, don’t call me Aubs. You know I hate it.”

“Of course,” Marion said, hiding her grin behind her wavy blonde hair.

As soon as they were inside, the front door swung open, and Barry walked in carrying a box of bagels and coffee in sealed Styrofoam cups.

“Good morning, ladies!” he greeted with a grin before setting the bagels and coffee on the reception desk. “I was afraid I might be too early, but it seems you babes are early risers too.”

Aubrey couldn’t believe his audacity. “What are you doing here?” she asked icily.

“Oh, you know, since the last time we spoke, I felt like you weren’t happy with me especially since you didn’t respond after that gift I sent you.”

“What gift?”

“The roses and chocolate. Did you like them?”

“Ask Marion. She was the one that took them home.”

Barry’s confidence faltered.

“They were fabulous,” Marion informed him happily. “And my mom loved the chocolates too.”

“Huh,” he commented, his excitement completely deflated now.

“That’s your feedback. Now you can leave,” Aubrey said and turned to go into her office, but Barry stopped her by quickly grabbing her hand.

“Hold on, Aubrey. Please, hear me out for a minute, will you?” he said hastily.

“What do you want, Barry?” she asked wearily. “Tell me the truth. What do you really want from me? You didn’t come looking for me for the sake of a reunion because you and I barely spoke two words to each other throughout high school. So, you just showing up out of nowhere and acting like I am your long-lost love is not just weird, but very disturbing. So, what’s the story?”

Barry was momentarily speechless by her analysis, especially because of how accurate it was. He had come on to her too strongly that she now suspected foul play. He kicked himself mentally for not being more subtle with his approach, but then again, his anonymous benefactor had been pressuring him to get the needed information when he hadn’t even been able to establish a proper friendship with Aubrey.

“You may be right,” he said tentatively. “But we can’t talk about it here. Let’s go into your office, please.”

Aubrey hesitated, wondering if she was truly interested in whatever Barry had to say. Maybe he wanted to buy into her business and become a part owner, or he wanted her to allow his investment company take over her finances or whatever.

“Look, Barry—" she began to say but stopped when the front door opened, and Eric walked into the store.

“Seriously?” he said when he saw how Barry was holding on to Aubrey’s hand and standing only inches away from her. Eric’s face hardened.

Aubrey immediately snatched her hand away from Barry and took a step back. She knew what the scene looked like even though that was not the case.

“Eric,” she said softly.

“Don’t,” he replied coldly. “This was why you ran off this morning? You couldn’t even wait for me to wake up first. You had to drop me a note just so you could come here to meet him?”

“It’s not what you think, Eric. Barry is my—"

“Boyfriend. Yeah, I got that the first time. You don’t have to remind me.”

“No, he’s not,” Aubrey said, feeling frustrated with how the situation was deteriorating with every passing second. “Will you please just listen to me?”

“So, you can tell me more lies? Like the one you said last night, remember?” Eric couldn’t keep the hurt from his voice.

Aubrey took a step towards him. “Eric, listen to me,” she said.

“No, you listen. I have had enough of your disrespect, and this will be the last time I will let you humiliate me,” he said softly, even though he was raging inside. To Barry, he said, “She’s all yours, buddy. You two look perfect together.”

He turned around and left the store, closing the door gently behind him.