Ethan watched his mother’s expression change to astonishment as she took in his announcement.
She stood frozen, kettle in hand and stared at her youngest son, the words still slowly sinking into her brain. From Ethan’s expression, she could almost swear her son was just as stunned at the announcement he’d just made if the look on his face was anything to go by.
“You’re bringing someone?” Martha finally recovered enough to repeat Ethan’s words. She set the kettle down, tea forgotten and pinned Ethan with a searching look.
Ethan looked dazed, as though he couldn’t believe he’d told her that. Then he straightened his shoulders in that way that Martha knew all too well and returned her look with an implacable one of his own.
“Yeah, I am.” Ethan replied, a stubborn glint entering his eyes as the idea sank in.
Christ Lord Almighty on a stick! What had possessed him to say that? Now he had to show up with a date to the bake sale or his mother would never let him hear the end of it. But the thought of having to play nice to some woman his mother thought would make a good girlfriend had been too much to bear and he’d blurted the words out before thinking.
“Really?” Martha narrowed her eyes at him, trying to find out if he was telling the truth but Ethan had slipped on his ‘game face’ and was revealing nothing. “Well, that’s great news Ethan, I’m glad to hear there’s a woman you think worthy enough to meet the family.”
She grinned at the sudden panicked expression on Ethan’s face as that sank in.
“So, does this ‘date’ have a name?”
Damn and double damn.
Ethan swore silently, though careful to keep his expression neutral even as his mind frantically ran through a list of possible women he could ask and discarding each one just as fast. Ironically, one name kept popping in his head though there was no way in hell –
“You’ll meet her on Saturday, don’t push it.” He heard himself say, crossing his arms over his chest and giving his mother an exasperated look.
Martha’s eyebrows rose. “And have you two been dating long?”
Ethan sighed, rubbing at his eyebrows. “That’s not important. Look, we’ll be at the bake sale, alright?”
Martha smiled fondly at her son. She poured the tea into a mug and took a sip.
“I can’t wait to meet this mystery woman. She must be a really spectacular woman to make you invite her along.”
Yeah, Erin is one spectacularly crazy woman.
Ethan muttered another curse under his breath, not at all relishing the thought of asking Erin out. He wouldn’t put it past the little minx to spit in his face and curse him out, then of course, he’d have to teach her another lesson in humility.
He sighed, raking a hand through his head as another thought occurred to him. His siblings were bound to give him hell if he showed up with his ex-fiancee’s cousin.
What the hell had he gotten himself into?
Martha studied Ethan over the steam rising from her mug. He appeared deep in thought, forehead creased, mouth set in a thin line. He didn’t look particularly thrilled with his decision to bring a date, and she was intrigued and worried at the same time. Still, the mere fact that Ethan was willing to bring this mystery woman along was enough to give Martha hope.
She took another sip and set the mug down. “Well, I’d best be off then darling.”
Drawn from his thoughts, Ethan looked at his mother in surprise. “You’re leaving already?”
Martha nodded and smiled. “I have a few arrangements to make for the bake sale.” She stepped close and gave him a hug. “Do remember to ask her before Saturday huh?”
Ethan grimaced, not relishing the task. “Sure.”
*****
Speak of the devil.
Erin stared at the screen, trying hard to squash the little shiver of excitement that raced down her spine as she read the name on the screen. Then she frowned, wondering how the hell his number had gotten stored in her phone in the first place. She couldn’t recall putting it in there unless… Ethan had saved it himself.
“Are you going to answer that?” Kim’s voice broke into her thoughts.
Erin jumped, feeling a guilty flush creep up her neck when she realized they were all watching her with varying expressions of curiosity.
“Er…. yes… I…” She decided to shut up and answer the phone instead. Hitting the call button she brought the phone to her ear, moving out of earshot. She could feel their eyes boring into her back as she hurried towards an empty table and sat down. “Hello?”
“We need to talk.” Ethan’s deep voice filled her ears, as usual not bothering with niceties. He sounded pissed, as though calling her was the last thing he wanted. “Where are you?”
“Well, hello to you too and thank you, my day is just swell.” Erin replied, going heavy on the sarcasm. “Though I may need a paramedic given that a particular arrogant dude just called me out of the blue to monitor my movements.”
She heard him heave a long suffering sigh and mutter something she didn’t catch.
Then he said. “Wouldn’t you be suspicious if I called to make idle chit chat?”
Erin considered that for a moment and had to admit he was right. Demanding to know her whereabouts was more Ethan’s style.
“I’ll give you that.” She conceded. “Now what’s this about? Have you decided on new ways to torment me?”
The minute Erin said the words, she realized just how that sounded. She stifled a groan, eyes shut in exasperation.
Smooth Erin, let him think you’re flirting.
He chuckled, clearly amused now. The sound sent fresh shivers down Erin’s spine as the sound triggered memories of him, chuckling while she writhed beneath him in pleasurable agony. She shook her head to clear the mental image, feeling strangely out of breath.
“Hmm… come now, Sweetcheeks, admit you love it when I torment you.” His voice took on a sensual drawl that made Erin’s toes curl. “Matter of fact, I seem to recall how you held my head against your – ”
“I’m having lunch.” Erin broke in hurriedly, thankful only she could hear that conversation. Her face felt hot, no doubt, her face would be as red as beetroot right now. “What do you want?”
“Are you alone?” Ethan demanded, in a deceptively mild tone that did not fool Erin for a second. Still, this time, she felt kind of thrilled to know he even bothered to ask in the first place.
She shot a glance back at her companions, thankful to see they’d apparently lost interest in her and were busy talking… hopefully, the subject of that particular conversation wouldn’t be the mysterious phone call.
“No, I’m not.” Erin turned away, focusing on a small group of teenagers who’d just walked into the restaurant. “Look, I really can’t talk right now, so if there’s no other reason you called – other than to demand my whereabouts -”
“You’re with someone.” Ethan cut in, apparently choosing to ignore her as usual. Erin could detect a hint of the tone he usually employed when he was being obnoxious about her seeing other men. “Who is he?”
“That’s none of your business.” Erin snapped, feeling her temper rise. “Is that why you called?”
She heard him sigh, clearly annoyed now. “We’ll discuss this over dinner.”
“There is nothing to discuss,” she argued, then his next words sank in. “Wait. Did you say dinner?”
“I believe I spoke plain English. Yes, dinner.”
Erin opened her mouth and shut it again, too stunned for words. Ethan wanted to have dinner with her? Wow! What had brought this on?
A tinge of suspicion formed at the back of her mind. “Have you been drinking?”
His full-bellied laugh filled her ears. “Come now, Sweetcheeks, do you really think so little of yourself that you can’t believe I would ask you out?”
“No,” Erin shot back, annoyed at his insinuation that she was insecure. “But I think I know enough to wonder at the invitation. What are you up to, Lachlan?”
“I’ll pick you up at eight.” As usual, Ethan evaded the question. “And don’t even think of running away this time Sweetcheeks.”
“I’m not – ” Erin began to protest but she might as well be speaking to thin air.
“See you at eight.” Ethan said and hung up before she could get in another word.
Erin stared at the phone for several minutes, unable to believe what had just happened. The arrogant bastard! He’d had the nerve to ask – no – order her to have dinner with him without so much as giving her an option to refuse. She sat there, rapping her fingertips on the tabletop, eyes narrowed as she wondered why he even wanted to have dinner in the first place.
“Erin, are you done?” Erin jumped as Nicky materialized next to her. She looked up to see her cousin watching her with a slight frown. “We need to get going. I really don’t want us to miss this fitting and there’s still so much we have to do today.”
Shoving thoughts of Ethan and the mysterious date aside, Erin shot her cousin an apologetic smile and stood.
“Sorry, Nicks.” She said. “Sure, let’s go.”
As they walked back to their table to join the others. Nicky slipped an arm through Erin’s and grinned. “Soooo, between both of us. Who is this guy you’re seeing? I’m guessing he’s the one who just called?”
Erin felt a flush suffuse her face as guilt hammered at her heart. Managing a half-hearted chuckle, she looked away, unable to look Nicky in the face. “I’m not seeing anyone Nicks.” She muttered, “the call was just business.”
Nicky shot Erin a look that said she clearly didn’t buy that. “Riiiight. People get all red in the face and excited when they get a ‘business’ call. Erin! I can’t believe you won’t even tell me. We always tell each other everything! I mean it’s so obvious there’s a guy involved.”
Oh boy!
Erin’s heart squeezed in a fresh wave of guilt at the slightly hurt look on Nicky’s face. This is what she got for allowing emotions replace simple, common sense – lying to her family and sleeping with a man who’d sworn to bring about her complete and utter humiliation. It couldn’t get much worse than this?
She sighed and looked at Nicky. “I’m not seeing anyone.” She held up a finger as Nicky began to protest. “But just out of curiosity and nothing else, what makes you think there’s guy involved?”
“Come on Erin. Like Aunt Vicks said, the signs are plastered all over you. Besides, I rarely see you these days and a few minutes ago, you got all hot and flustered by a single phone call.”
Erin rolled her eyes. “Gee. I thought brides were supposed to be too self absorbed to notice anything not connected with the wedding?”
“You’re my maid of honor, so technically, you are part of my wedding plans.” Nicky pointed out drily as they reached the table. “Though, I will admit the thought never occurred to me until your mum made that comment.”
Overhearing that last bit, Victoria smiled at the two girls. “Has she finally confessed?”
Erin groaned, disengaging from Nicky to gather the pile of shopping bags on her seat. “Mum, give it a rest.”
Ignoring the good natured teasing that followed, Erin’s mind wandered back to her conversation with Ethan. Why ask her to dinner? He didn’t strike her as the type of guy who wined and dined without an ulterior motive. And given that she’d already slept with him, that motive was practically a moot point now. Besides, despite expressing fondness for her body, Ethan had never given any indication that he regarded her as anything other than an annoying, crazy woman who’d ruined his chance of marital bliss.
So what had changed? And more important, should she go on this ‘date?’
Erin sighed. Too bad she couldn’t exactly ask Nicky or Kim for their opinion, because, at this moment, she needed someone to talk to.