A Week in New York(26)

“With what? Us?”

He nodded. Fear washed over me. What did he mean? Before I got a chance to ask we’d arrived.

Ethan took my hand as we walked up to the house. Just as he reached for the knocker, the door flew open.

“Hey, guys,” Andrew welcomed us. Mandy stood beside him. She had red curly hair and a big smile. Her hands were clasped together as if she was about to applaud and her eyes sparkled with what looked like excitement.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” She grabbed me and hugged me. “And you’re so pretty. I just knew you would be,” she said as she ushered me down their hallway. I turned to try and catch Ethan’s eye, but he wasn’t looking at me. “What do you want to drink? Tell me you drink and you’re not one of those health nuts? Andrew, can you get us some drinks? Cocktails?” Ethan was looking back at me and he grinned.

“Maybe not cocktails. Anna had a little cocktail incident last night,” Ethan said.

“Oh, how sweet. He’s protecting you. You drink, thank god. Wine?”

I’d barely had an opportunity to say anything, so I just nodded.

“And you’re from England? You know that Ethan’s sister is in England. I’ve always wanted to go. Andrew keeps saying he’ll take me but, hey, sometime never.”

“Jesus, woman, take a breath already,” Andrew interrupted.

Mandy laughed. “Sorry, I’m over-excited. I usually have to put up with these two talking about sports and business when Ethan comes over, so it’s so nice to have a girl to play with!”

“She’s not for you to play with, Mandy,” Ethan said and put his arm around my shoulders. “That’s my job.” And he kissed me on my head.

“Oh, my god. You’re so cute together! I wondered if this would ever happen and now it has and I’m so excited.”

“Excuse my wife, Anna,” said Andrew. “She’s not used to company.” Mandy slapped Andrew on the arm and tutted. It was cute.

“I’m just not used to Ethan introducing me to a girl,” she said to him as if I wasn’t there.

“Woman,” Ethan said.

Mandy squealed. What the hell was going on?

“Let’s get you a drink so you’re forced not to speak while you sip,” Andrew said.

When the drinks were poured, we made our way onto the patio, where the table was set for dinner.

“This is a beautiful house, Mandy,” I said. Ethan and Andrew were chatting about some game, leaving Mandy and I to talk. I wasn’t sure which sport; I switched off as soon as I heard the words league and ball.

“Thank you. It was my parent’s house. I inherited it. I’ve always loved it. I love the city but this feels like home.” Mandy had calmed down. Maybe it was the wine. “Do you live in the city?” she asked.

I nodded. “Yes, and I love it.”

“You’d never want to come to New York to live?”

“Oh,” I was shocked by her question. “I’ve never thought about it.”

“Would you consider it?” She nodded sideways to Ethan.

“I’m just here for a week. We’re just having some fun. It’s nothing serious.”

She pursed her lips. “I’ve never met one of his women.” I felt a churning in my stomach. “I know he has his share. But he doesn’t spend time with them. He just sleeps with them. Like a sport or something. You seem to be something different for him.”

I shook my head. “I’m here for a week, and then he knows I’m 3,000 miles away. And I just broke up with someone. It’s just circumstances that are different.”

“I’m not so sure,” she said.

Ethan reached behind him to grab my hand, but continued his conversation with Andrew. I met Mandy’s eyes as they lifted from our joint hands and she raised her eyebrows.





Chapter Eleven




Ethan

Back at the house, we moved around each other in the bathroom, getting ready for bed. It felt domestic, like we were a couple. Anna had been quiet in the car, and I was lost in my own head. But it was an easy silence that descended between us. I realized I really enjoyed the evening. I enjoyed sleeping with Anna, but I enjoyed hanging out with her, too. She was funny and confident and busted my balls.

I got into bed and watched her as she brushed her hair and found my eyes before joining me in bed. I pulled her perfect ass toward me and wrapped my arms around her waist.

“Hi,” she said as she tipped her head back to my chest.

“Hi,” I replied. “How was your evening?”

“Good. I like your friends. How about you?”

“Good. I like my friends, too. And I like that they like you.”