Private Emotions – Invitations (The Private Emotions Trilogy) (7 page)

For some reason I said, “I really don’t know, this isn’t exactly what I thought I would be doing a few days ago.”

We got dressed and met Ethan in the living room. “I was wondering when you two ladies would grace me with your presence.” Sophie and I just giggled at his comment like two school girls. “Well, Sophie, I guess this is goodbye for now. I am really happy that your dedication to the firm paid off. I always knew you could do it.”

“I would like to second Ethan’s sentiments and wish you every success as well, Sophie.”

“Thanks, guys. It has been a blast but don’t think that you have gotten rid of me yet.” We all laughed because knowing Sophie like we did, anything was possible.

She gave Ethan a big hug then kissed me full on the lips before she closed the door and made her way to a new life. I would miss her and her zest-for-life personality. Ethan was tuned into this fact and said that I could visit her and see how things progressed with the two of us if I cared for her that much.

I said with certainty, “It was a wonderful experience, Ethan, but I’m afraid I only have eyes for men. You were right. Sophie is one of a kind and that’s exactly how I intend to keep it. If Sophie was meant to be one of your lessons then consider it a lesson learned but I think that it is time to move on now.” I was hoping that he would take the hint and consider that there may be something more between us than just an agreement.

“It’s going to be fun seeing just how open a flower you are willing to become.” He was playing the good teacher and I was his avid pupil with no idea where this was all going. I had a feeling given his burning look, that there was a whole lot more to do.

Chapter Four
Holiday Bliss

I’ve been trying to keep my feelings in check but every time I saw Ethan I just couldn’t seem to hide my emotions. I knew I should keep my distance and try to find somebody else, instead of pining for a man who just didn’t see me as relationship material but more of a conquest and teaching experience.

It became painfully obvious last night at his new place that he was more into Sophie and me getting together than he was at us having any real time for ourselves. It was a pleasurable experience with Sophie and I truly enjoyed what we did together even though it felt like more of a setup on Ethan’s part than anything else. He wanted to show me the pleasures that a woman on woman experience could have and he was content at letting us have our fun, which we most certainly did.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by the insistent ringing of my telephone so I snatched it up and heard Ronnie’s voice on the other end. “Mark and I have decided that we want to go on an impromptu weekend holiday at one of our favorite places. We were wondering if you would like to join us. Mark would really like the opportunity to mend some fences, Em. So, will you come along?” I didn’t really have any plans for the weekend but it wasn’t like I wanted to go away and facing Mark didn’t sound like a good idea at the time. It may seem childish to most but I was still upset at how Mark had conspired with Ethan to bump into my life. Even though I would not trade that first night in the laundry room for anything, I still felt like Mark betrayed our friendship.

“Ronnie, I would love to go but I have a lot of work to do and I am not exactly sure that I want to go away. You know how much trouble I have at packing at short notice. I am terrible at deciding what to wear in advance.”

“Yes, I see your point. I can understand that you are sooo busy and packing at short notice is soooo troublesome and it can be sooooo terrible deciding what to wear in advance. I am a disappointed that you will not be able to make it. Oh, by the way, did I mention that Ethan is coming along? Mark was gracious enough to extend an invitation to him and he promptly accepted.” She knew that I wouldn’t be able to deny myself the chance to see Ethan again. She had purposely left out that tidbit of information until the very end of our conversation. It was likely that she was gauging my reaction and now I would have to put my cards on the table.

“Wweell, maybe, I could rearrange a few things and it has been a long time since we’ve gone away together so I have decided that I’m going to go. I want you to know that I am doing this for you and only you, Ronnie. After all, you are my very most BESTERISTIS friend in the whole world.” I could hear her giggling on the other end of the line.

“Ohhh of course, for me, I perfectly understand. After all, I am your very most BESTERISTIS friend in the whole world, Em.” I could tell from her tone of voice that she wasn’t buying my explanation but that was my story and I was sticking to it. “Why don’t the three of us pick you up at work on Friday afternoon? Then we can go to the airport and be at our destination in less than an hour. This place is something to see and I just know that you will love everything about it. Remember to bring some heavy clothing as it snows quite heavily in the area this time of year.” So all I really knew about the place was the fact that it was in the mountains somewhere and there was fresh powder on the ground, which could only mean that it was some kind of ski chalet. I hadn’t been on the slopes since I was a child and even then I was more of a snowboarder than a skier but like anything, once you’ve done it, it’s like riding a bike.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting for you and I’m looking forward to seeing you both.” For some reason, I only mentioned her and Mark and had left out Ethan altogether, probably in hopes of making her think that having him there didn’t matter to me at all. Ronnie was more perceptive than that so my little tricks never worked with her.

When I got off the phone, I immediately called Susan my therapist and relayed the news of how we were going away together and Ethan was going to be there as well. “Emily, I think that is a great idea as it will give you time to reconnect and find some forgiveness for past indiscretions. Just take things slowly and try to read his body signals. In the last couple of sessions, I showed you various exercises that will help you to determine what he is thinking and how to move forward from there.”

“I’ve been practicing on people on the street and at work, and I have gotten it down to about 70% accuracy. It’s not an exact science but with practice, I think that I can make some really good educated decisions. The only thing is that when Ethan is close all that practicing sometimes goes out the window because he has a way of giving me brain fog. Having said that though, I will remember what you have taught me and try to apply it in the best way that I can.”

“That’s what I was hoping for but remember with great power comes great responsibility...hahahahahaha.” Even I knew where that saying came from and we both had a good laugh as the sentiment was exactly what was needed at the time.

I was still giggling after talking to her as I went to my bedroom and started packing for the trip in a few days. I didn’t know if Ethan was aware that I was coming on the trip but that was his problem and he would just have to deal with it when he saw me.

For the next two days, I never heard one single word from Ethan but Sophie had contacted me and we were fast becoming friends. Something told me that Sophie would be a wealth of information about what made Ethan tick and I wasn’t about to let that opportunity slip through my fingers. In spite of her knowing Ethan very well, I did enjoy chatting with Sophie as she was always such a ray of sunshine each time that we spoke.

I stood at the curb waiting for my pick up. I had only brought two small suitcases as I have been known to go overboard and bring too much. Although I didn’t think that three outfit changes per day and a couple of extra items to provide additional choice were too much, I had decided that less was more and only packed what was very necessary.

In the distance, I could see vehicles coming towards me and it would be just a matter of time before they arrived. I wondered what kind of reaction Ethan would have when he saw me or was he already informed that I would be joining them? Maybe he was convinced to go because I was coming, although that would be just wishful thinking on my part. He was the type of man who did things on his own terms.

A black Tahoe pulled up beside me and Mark got out from the driver’s side and came around to collect my luggage and put it into the back of the SUV. He sheepishly looked at me and I tried to remain impassive but you could feel the tension in the air between us. It was his meddling that caused all of this to happen in the first place and I still wasn’t quite sure that I was willing to forgive him for making me feel like a fool. I had learned from my therapist that my friends had my best interest at heart and just wanted me to be happy.

The side door opened and Ethan was there wearing a black leather coat. He looked amazing as usual as he motioned for me to climb into the back seat with him. From his reaction, there was no way that he didn’t know I was coming. That was a little disappointing considering the fact that I was looking forward to the surprise reaction on his face.

“Come, Emily, sit beside me quickly, the plane will be leaving shortly and we have to be there in twenty minutes or they will take off without us.”

“Don’t tease her, Ethan. It’s a charter flight and they can’t leave until we get there.” Ronnie had put him in his place and he didn’t look happy about it at all. In fact, a silence penetrated the SUV and he turned away from Ronnie and me to look out the window at the surrounding countryside. If I didn’t know any better I would say that he was pouting but that would make him a stubborn child.

The airport was a small one outside the city and the jet was already fueled and ready to go on the tarmac. The pilot was standing on the stairs waving to us to come closer. The truck slowed beside the stairs and finally came to a stop. We all got out and Ethan and Mark became our porters taking the luggage and carrying them up into the plane.

“Em, I just wanted to tell you that I’m so glad that you have come with us. Maybe you and Ethan can find some time together considering the fact that we put you both in the same room.”

I turned to her angrily and said, “Why the hell did you do that? It’s not like he asked me to spend the evening with him and won’t this put him on the spot?”

“I hope that it would and your spot is exactly where he should be.” Nudging me in the arm, I finally got what she was trying to say. It would be a pleasure to share a room with Ethan but only if he felt the same. As I climbed the stairs, I smiled at the deceitfulness and crafty maneuver that she and Mark had pulled. They were at it again but this time I couldn’t help feeling a sort of kinship towards them.

The plane took off and I looked at Ethan’s seat but he had his head in his laptop and looked consumed by whatever he was working on. He was either putting the final touches on his book to make it as perfect as it could be or he was he still pouting because of what Ronnie said to him in the car. If it was the latter then it would be too bad that he couldn’t take a little teasing. It was becoming apparent that he would just have to get used to it with the three of us.

Ronnie yelled out over the roar of the engine, “Ethan, Emily could use a little company and maybe you’d like that too.” He looked up from what he was doing and glared at Ronnie which made her turn right back around and start giggling like a schoolgirl.

I heard Mark say under his breath, “Ronnie, you shouldn’t tease him like that, you know he doesn’t take that very kindly.” Stifling the giggles, she lay back in her seat and closed her eyes with a pair of headphones over her ears.

I took the initiative and a deep breath as I moved down to the seat across from Ethan’s. “Look, Ronnie was just acting like Ronnie and she just likes to push people’s buttons until she gets a reaction. The best thing to do when she comes after you like that is to just ignore her or play along like it doesn’t bother you...just some useful advice to make this trip more enjoyable for all of us.”

The only words out of his mouth the entire trip were, “Thanks, Em, I’ll take that into consideration.” He then went back to work on his laptop and I felt a little uncomfortable sitting so close to him. I moved away and returned to my original seat and sat back letting the drone of the engine put me to sleep.