“Of course,” Hank replied. “I hope you understand that this issue is time-sensitive. I am out of town at the moment, but I will be flying in tonight. If your schedule allows it, I think we should meet at the airport before you depart.”
Amy looked up from the pad of paper to see Ethan standing in the doorway. “Hank, I’ll call you back soon when I’m ready to leave.”
“Hi,” Ethan said as he walked over to his leather chair and sat down. “What was Hank calling for? Is he looking to set up another visit?”
“I’m afraid the call was professional. Logan has caused a bit of a problem, and Hank asked if I could help contain it. I told him I had to talk to you first.”
“Why?”
“Well, you two didn’t exactly get along when we were out there, and if the roles were reversed, I don’t know if I’d be ok with you going out there?”
“Would you be jealous?” Ethan asked. Before giving Amy a chance to answer, he said, “I think you like me.”
“Shut up,” Amy said with a laugh. “Are you ok with this?”
“Can’t someone else go in your place? Callie or Rich or anyone?”
“It has to be me.”
“I really think you should stay.” Ethan thought about the way he had left things with Hank. He wasn’t thrilled at the prospect of Amy finding out he had told Hank that their relationship was a sham. He also didn’t want her to find out from anyone but him why he had put off the deal. He had been so careful to plan everything out. All he needed to do was convince Amy to stay, but one look at her, and he could tell that this was a battle he wasn’t going to win. “Bring help. Come home as soon as you can. I have something I want to talk about with you.”
Amy grinned and leaned in close. “Nothing could keep me away a moment longer than necessary, and I’ll find someone to help.”
“How about Callie? She’s about his age. Maybe she can distract him.”
“That’s either a very bad idea or a very good one,” Amy replied.
“Only one way to find out. Besides I need you to clear out of town anyway. I have a date tonight.”
Amy froze. She felt like someone had just thrown her in ice water. “A… date?”
“Yeah. She’s a real live wire.”
“Are you serious?” Amy asked. She felt her shock and dread turning into indignation. She had just wanted to die because she had been caught appearing to do something with someone other than Ethan. And now he was talking about going on a date? She stared at him.
“Of course,” Ethan replied. He was smiling again. “By the way, did you know your nose scrunches up when you’re angry?”
“Why are you smiling?” Amy asked.
“I just told you why. You’re getting mad at me again. I’m a complete sucker for an angry woman.
“You have about three seconds to explain yourself.”
“Calm down, you’ve already given your blessing.”
“When did I give my blessing to anything like this?”
“When I told you that Vi had very specific demands when she helped me with the picnic.”
“She demanded to set you up on a date?”
“She is the date.”
“You’re going on a date with my aunt?”
Ethan couldn’t help himself any longer, and he burst into laughter. “Her terms were simple: if you liked the surprise, I owed her a steak dinner. You liked it, and now I owe her dinner. She said I could pick the night.”
Amy placed her hands on her hips and relaxed her shoulders. “You’re kidding.”
“I can’t make this stuff up. Go ask her.”
“Oh, I will,” Amy said.
“I’ll arrange for the jet to fly you out this afternoon. Why don’t you give your sister a call?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve got that part under control. Why don’t you go tell your date that I expect her to be on her best behavior?”
“I make no promises,” Ethan said.
As she turned for the door, Amy wondered if Ethan knew what he was in for.
“Hey, one more thing,” Ethan added, motioning for Amy to come over to him. As she approached, he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her close. He kissed her neck slowly, sending bliss through Amy’s body, until finally he raised his lips to hers and she got to lean into a kiss.
As they pulled apart, Amy said, “What was that for?”
“Just something to keep in mind when you’re gone.”
Amy smiled. She would have no problem remembering that kiss. She leaned back in and kissed Ethan again, pressing her lips firmly against his. It was his turn to be taken by surprise.