Closing my eyes, I slide my arm around his waist moving with the heat of his body.
Hot air against my ear makes me shiver. “Open your eyes, Holly.”
Without thought, I do as he tells me. “Oh, my god.” I whisper, as I see the city below my feet. It really is amazing, the clear night sky allows a clear view all the way to the lake. Awe overcomes me at way the inky depths of the lake meet with the bright lights of the city.
“This is the way I feel every day. Like I have this at my feet, and that’s why I do what I do and am the way I am.” He whispers in my ear.
“So, it is worth it to you.”
“Yes.”
With a last look around at the city below I smile, I understand. “Thank you for showing me this.”
“Thank you for discovering Sharon’s theft. You’ve also been doing a good job. Ready to get back on the elevator?” He teases.
“Yes, if you’re okay with me manhandling you.”
His arm tightens around me. “I think I’ll survive.”
Then it happens, there’s a teenager with two friends waiting in line. Low but loud enough to be heard. “Thank god the fatty didn’t break the glass out there. I was worried I wouldn’t get a chance to see it.”
I feel Ethan go stiff. I’m mortified. The friends he is with are embarrassed. One of them shoves him away, telling him to shut up. Ethan moves, I see it out of the corner of my eye, his foot goes out to trip the kid. With wail of pain, the kid hits the floor and we keep walking.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” My throat is tight, it comes out as a whisper as we get into the elevator.
“Yes, I should. If I did what I really wanted to do, I would lose my license.” He whispers into my ear. There’s another couple in the elevator, they are careful not to meet our eyes.
When the pressure shifts, I hold Ethan tighter. He calls Ricky to tell him we’re ready. We’re waiting on the sidewalk for Ricky. “The kid can’t be blamed for having the same thought I did. That was the real reason I didn’t want to go out on the glass. I was terrified I would crack it or something.”
Shaking his head. “Bullshit, from you and the kid. Don’t put yourself down. I don’t want to hear you thinking shit like that again.”
I open my mouth then Ricky pulls up. I let it go. We’re both quiet on the way home. As I’m about to go into my room my throat tight from fear of letting the night end, I whisper, “Thanks for the night out.”
“You’re welcome.” He says, as he keeps walking.
****
The next week is back to normal, as if the night out never happened. In the morning, Ethan rarely says more than a few words to me. He stays out until midnight, sometimes even later. Every suit is coated in a different woman’s perfume. I tell myself it doesn’t matter, yet I feel like I’ve lost something.
I want to cancel lunch on Saturday with Amelia, except I know she’ll come to the condo instead. The moment the waiter leaves with our orders, she starts in on me.
“What happened? Did Ethan do something I need to kick his ass for?”
“It’s nothing, he didn’t do anything. How are things going at work?”
Amelia rolls her eyes. “No way, tell me.”
I can’t talk to her about Ethan. Without remorse, I lie. “I’ve been thinking about going back to school, only I’m not sure what way to do it. Now I feel overwhelmed by the whole process.”
She looks lik
e she’s not sure if she believes me, then lets it go. “How exciting! What are you thinking about going back to school for?”
“Accounting, I actually had fun tracking down Sharon’s theft, going through the numbers. But, like I said, it’s overwhelming. Do I do an online course and what schools online look appealing to an employer? Online seems like the easiest route, only, I’ve been looking at the University of Chicago and they have really flexible classes.”
“There’s nothing wrong with an online degree. I know plenty of people who are doing them. I can get you the names of some good online schools.”
“Thanks, I would appreciate it. Now, really, tell me. How is work going?”