No One Else (The Ladies Who Brunch 2)
Chapter10
Amelia
Holding a glass of champagne, I use my free hand to dig my phone out of my small purse I brought for the evening after I feel the buzz of it on my hip.
It’s Friday night, and I’m currently standing in a private exhibit at Night Gallery, an art gallery just east of the Fashion District in Los Angeles. Penelope’s PR firm was in charge of publicity for the event, so naturally she scored us tickets to tag along.
“Do you need help?” Noelle asks, reaching for my glass of champagne as I struggle with the zipper on my purse one-handed.
“Yes, please. Thank you.”
“No problem.”
I hand her my glass and then use both hands finally to extract my phone, shocked by the text message that I see on the screen from Ethan.
“What?” Noelle observes my face and instantly questions what got that reaction out of me.
“It’s Ethan.”
“Oh! What did he have to say?”
I swipe across the screen and read the message at lightning speed.
Ethan:Hey, beautiful. What are you up to?
“What do I say to that?”
Noelle shrugs. “Is him texting you not normal?”
“Um, not at this hour. The last time we spoke was Wednesday when he had an emergency hearing and then he was buried in work for the rest of the week.” Prior to arriving at the venue tonight, I filled all my girlfriends in on the developments that transpired with Ethan this week since brunch last Sunday.
Noelle points to my screen. “Then this is a booty call.”
“You think?”
“Hun, it’s after nine on a Friday night. You’re not at work, which is when you usually see him or hook up. He’s obviously horny and wants you. Why else would he be texting?”
“I…I don’t know. Maybe I should ask him.”
“Do it.” She chuckles, taking a sip from her glass as I begin to type on my phone.
Me: I haven’t heard from you for two days, and now you text me at nine on a Friday night? Is this a booty call, Mr. Fuller?
His response is almost immediate.
Ethan: I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed if you wanted to show me your booty. But honestly, I’m home alone, and you were on my mind.
I show the text to Noelle, who fights a smile. “Smooth.”
Me: Really? And what exactly were you thinking about?”
Ethan: Your ass, your pussy, and your smile.
Me: Gosh, it’s so nice to know what you think are my best qualities.
Ethan: You should be damn proud of all of them. In all seriousness, I debated texting you earlier, but I chickened out. I had dinner with your brother instead. And before you freak out, I steered clear of the topic of you and me in conversation. He does know I’m seeing someone, but not who.
My pulse spikes as I read his message, but then it ebbs just as quickly.
Me: Well, I’m actually at the Night Gallery for a private art exhibition right now, so I wasn’t available anyway.
Ethan: Ah, no worries. Sorry to bother you. Have a good night, Amelia.
Biting my lip, I debate whether I want this conversation to end. And within a few seconds, I decide that I don’t.
Me: Where’s Oliver?
Ethan: At my mom’s house for a sleepover with her neighbor. There’s a little boy that lives just a few houses down from hers, and they’ve become really good friends since we moved back. So, I’m home alone in this house. It’s unnerving.
And before I can reply, he sends another message.
Ethan: Is the event that boring that you’d rather talk to me instead?
“Aw, he misses his kid,” Noelle croons, reading the text message conversation over my shoulder.
“He’s the sweetest little boy, Noelle. He named my gnomes for crying out loud.”
She sighs dramatically. “God, I want kids, Amelia. Why on earth do you have to have a man to do that though?”
“Well, technically, you don’t. You just need a few of his best swimmers.”
“I just don’t know if I could go through with that—picking some guy to be the father of my kid without knowing him.”
“Yeah, but look at how disappointing potential men have been recently. I’m not telling you what to do, but I also know that you will be an incredible mother, and you don’t need a man in your life to do that.”
She stares at me, deep in thought. “You know what, you’re right.”