Amy's sharp wit suddenly made more sense to Ethan. It wasn't her experience dealing with the powerbrokers of the nation's capital that had helped her run circles around him. It was dealing with her aunt. "If you don't mind, I was hoping to steal Amy away for a moment to discuss a few things."
"Did you and Hank finish your deal?" Amy asked.
"Not quite, actually. We had to put things on hold."
"What?" Amy asked. She folded her arms over her chest. "In that case, anything you have to say to me, you can say in front of Vi. I think we've established that she doesn't have many boundaries."
"I think you'll want to discuss this one in the hall."
Vi spoke up. "Remember dear, I'm fragile. Too much excitement, and poof, my heart will go up like a firecracker." She paused for a moment. "But don't forget that I'm quite old, and if you leave me here alone in this dreadful room, I'll probably die of boredom."
"I promise it's nothing too exciting," Ethan said. "We're all just going to spend more time together than we had originally anticipated."
"What could be more exciting than that?" Vi replied.
"Oh, you'd be surprised," Amy chimed in. "Ethan has a history of overpromising."
"Ha!" Ethan said. "Well, I guess I'll just get it out then. I think you and Vi should move in with me."
Vi clapped her hands together. "Splendid!"
Amy jumped up out of her chair. "What? Are you serious?"
"My place in DC is all on one level. Plus it's relatively close to the hospital, which would make it easier to coordinate Vi's care."
"Sounds good to me," Vi said.
"Hold on," Amy said. "I don't remember giving you two the authority to tell me where to live."
"Well, you could always just leave the two of us alone."
"Not a chance in hell," Amy replied. She turned to Ethan. "Alright, you and me, the hall, let's go."
Once they reached the hall, Amy grabbed Ethan’s arm. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“What are you talking about?” Ethan asked.
“In there, proposing that my aunt and I move in with you. You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Tell me it doesn’t make sense for her to live in one level place until she’s better. I think it will do her good.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about. And, it’s not your call. It’s her call and it’s my call. Ethan, you don’t have to pretend like you care. I don’t need you to do that, really. So stop this whole chivalry thing.”
“It’s not chivalry, Amy. It’s just common sense. I’m sorry that Hank and I didn’t get the deal done, but what would it look like if I had let my wife head back and had just gone on with business as usual? Don’t you think that would have raised a few flags?”
“Who cares if it raises any flags? If you finished the deal, it wouldn’t matter. You’d have everything you’d want, and I’d be free to go back to my life the way it was.”
“And what would happen if you didn’t want to go back to things the way they were?”
“What are you suggesting?” Amy asked as they got into the elevator. “You blew off your merger because you want to play house for a few months? That way you can feel better about the deal you made? You want to get your money’s worth?”#p#分页标题#e#
Ethan leaned against the back wall of the elevator and ran his hands through his hair. “Do you really think that’s why I’m here? Do you really think I flew across the freaking country so I could watch out for my investment? I’m here because I want to be here, and I didn’t feel right leaving you alone right now.”
“I’m a big girl, Ethan. I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can take care of yourself, but that doesn’t mean you always have to be alone. Think of me as a concerned friend if that helps.”
“Ha,” Amy replied, “I thought you didn’t care about anything.”
“You know that isn’t true. Just think about it, ok? Take the night and get back to me.”
“Give me one reason,” she replied. “Give me one honest reason.”
Ethan looked at Amy and then stepped over to her, running his hand over the small of her back as he leaned in. Amy wanted to slap him, but as he pressed his lips against hers, a thrill ran through her entire body. She wasn’t mad at him for kissing her. She was mad at herself for liking it so much. She was mad at herself for believing this kiss meant anything to Ethan at all. She leaned back and let Ethan press her against the far wall of the elevator. She could hear the rush of their clothes against each other as she and Ethan kissed and tangled and forgot about everything but the moment. She lost herself in that warmth and comfort, and she wanted to stay there as long as possible.