Save the Date (3 page)

Ellen picked up a slice of sourdough. “Henry and I stayed at the Geoffries when we honeymooned in Kauai. Not sure what they’d improve on though, because our stay was amazing.”

Rach turned to Ellen, wearing a dark look. “Maybe when Kate and Noah get back together, they can get you a sweet discount for your first anniversary?”

Ellen put a hand to her mouth. “That didn’t come out how I meant. You know I’m on your side, whatever it is.”

In response, Rach’s eyes welled.

I reached across the table, and put my hand over hers. “You said his ex is coming to Sac for work, but why is that making you feel threatened in your relationship?”

Her lower lip trembled. “Because she’s gorgeous? And she’s seen my boyfriend naked? Clearly, she’s realized what she lost and wants to get him back.”

Ellen’s mouth formed an O. “Don’t jump to conclusions, sweetie. Noah’s trustworthy.”

I was about to agree that Noah was faithful, but I’d thought the same thing about Jake. So, I closed my mouth and looked away.

Rach’s mouth thinned, and she turned to me. “What, Kristen? You think he’s hiding something? Should I talk to him about it? Tell him how insecure I feel?”

“Well . . .” My initial reaction was to suggest that exactly, opening up and talking to him about her concerns. But, then again, it’s not like my bonehead method of thinking had saved
me
from heartbreak. I scratched my temple, wondering what I’d do in her situation. “If I’d run a background check on Jake before dating him, I would’ve known his marital status up front.”

“Kristen!” Ellen’s chided. “She can’t go behind Noah’s back like that.”

“I’m not saying she should.” My forehead wrinkled, remembering how honest Jake had seemed. “Noah comes off as committed, but nothing would shock me anymore. For all we know, he’s been sexting his ex the last two months and now they’re hooking up to make it official.”

Rach made a mewing sound.

Ellen gasped. “Don’t listen to her, Rach. She’s jaded.”

I brought my hands to my chest. “No, I’m realistic. Rach needs to keep her eyes open, so she doesn’t get hurt like I did.”

Rach’s eyes bulged. “You think he’s cheating on me?”

I swallowed, wishing I could rule out the chance. “I just want you to be careful. Don’t overlook clues. In any case, it would be better to know sooner rather than later.”

She hugged herself. “This is even worse than I thought.”

The waiter brought the check, and I picked it up. I hated to see Rach upset, but it’s not like I’d be doing her any favors by sugarcoating the possibilities.

Ellen snatched the bill away. “I hope you’re happy with yourself.”

My eyes widened. “What? For trying to make sure my friend doesn’t get played?”

She blew out a breath. “You’re paranoid. Just because your ex was a jerk, doesn’t mean Noah is.”

“Doesn’t mean he isn’t,” I said, hating to point out the cold, hard fact.

I tried to put some cash in the tray, but Ellen brushed me off, setting down her credit card instead. “Save your money for therapy. You’ve totally lost it.”

No, I just didn’t want Rach to get blindsided the way I had.

****

That evening, I arrived at the two-story, brick building that housed the Sacramento History Museum, and spotted Ethan sitting out front on an ornately carved wooden bench. He looked like he belonged in a museum himself. One that would display a perfectly chiseled male statue, that is.

He wore khaki pants and a white polo shirt that stretched across his broad chest. The sleeves hugged his well-defined biceps, and I couldn’t help wondering what he did to stay in such phenomenal shape. Oh, great. What if he had a membership at Totally Fit? It was located by his work, after all. Watching him lift weights would be an impossible distraction to my workout.

Not that it wouldn’t be enjoyable. . . .

As I walked toward him, the negative vibes from my day diminished. His dark eyes caught my gaze, and the corners of his mouth turned upward. He stood, then strode toward me.

Tingles danced along my neck. “You’re early,” I said.

“So are you.” Ethan leaned in, and gave me a brief kiss on the cheek.

My skin hummed where his lips had brushed, even though I knew he didn’t mean anything by it. Must be something he’d grown accustomed to while he’d lived in Europe.

I’d have to go there someday.

“How are things?” His deep brown eyes peered into mine, their undivided attention making me feel as if he wasn’t making idle chat, but really wanted to know.

I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, then started toward the entrance. Guilt over my conversation with Rach washed over me. “Not so great, actually.”

As he strolled along beside me, he threw me a side-glance. “Care to elaborate?”

“Sure. It’d be interesting to have a guy’s opinion on the issue.” I crossed the threshold past the building’s tall, white, window-paned doors, then glanced up at Ethan. “What’s your take on exes staying in touch? Is it okay if they go to dinner together, even if one is already in another relationship?”

Ethan’s dark brows came together. “Is Jake trying to start things up with you again?”

My face scrunched. “Jake? Ugh, no.”

We stepped up in line to pay our exhibit fee, and his forehead remained creased. “Because, he doesn’t deserve to be in the same
vicinity
as you, let alone the same dinner table. If he’s bothering you, even in the slightest, I’ll gladly file a restraining order.”

Wow. I’d never heard Ethan lose his cool before. To the point of threatening to use his lawyerly powers. For me. Even though he was actually a personal injury lawyer, but still. Major hero-factor, and I swooned a little.

Come on, Kristen. Get it together.

“That’s sweet of you, Ethan. But it’s not necessary.” Without thinking, I put a hand on his forearm, which flexed under my fingers. I’d touched him innocently, but the feel of his muscles against my skin sent all kinds of inappropriate zings through me, so I withdrew my hand. I cleared my throat. “I haven’t spoken with Jake since we broke-up, and don’t plan to. Ever. It’s my friend’s boyfriend who’s having dinner with his ex.”

His expression relaxed, and he glanced at where my hand had touched his arm, before meeting my eyes again. “I’m glad to hear that. You deserve better. Way better.”

My cheeks flushed at his comment. Now at the front of the line, I reached into my purse, but Ethan handed the man his credit card before I could give him mine.

“My turn.” He winked at me. “You got the last one. Remember?”

“Thank you,” I said, stepping aside to wait for him. “You didn’t have to do that.”

Of course I’d treated last time. I had to do something to make up for being a bad friend. After Ellen’s wedding last December, I’d rambled on to Ethan about Jake’s betrayal, how he’d been married, and that I never wanted to date again as long as I lived.

I chastised myself for babbling all my dirty laundry to Ethan, and wanted to blame Ellen’s open bar and buttery Chardonnay. But, as a therapist, I needed to own my own behavior.

So, I’d avoided Ethan for two months.

Whenever he’d asked me to “Save the Date,” I’d make up excuses not to go. What can I say? I’d gone into protective hibernation mode (aka: cleaning my condo and driving my roommate bonkers). At least I obsessed in a productive manner. My condo has never looked better.

Anyway, buying Ethan’s ticket last weekend had been the least I could do. It was a wonder he still wanted to hang with such a motor mouth (who had bad judgment). Especially when he could be spending time with Dana, whose only flaw seemed to be her lack of interest in history. Shudder.

Ethan handed me our torn tickets, then held his arm out in a gentlemanly gesture. “After you.”

We ambled toward the room with the special exhibit. “So? Give me the guy’s perspective.”

He shrugged. “I don’t see what the big deal is. I have a couple ex-girlfriends who I keep in touch with online. It might be nice to have lunch and catch up sometime. If my girlfriend were jealous, it’d make me feel like she doesn’t trust me.”

“Really? You don’t think there’s anything skeevy about it?” I hadn’t at one time, either, but that was before I’d been played. “And in reverse? You wouldn’t mind if your girlfriend went out to dinner with an ex?”

He stopped in front of the first exhibit. “If he was a weasel who’d deceived her, and she’d found out he was married? I’d mind.”

My jaw nearly dropped at his hard tone. And had he really just used me as an example girlfriend? “Well, clearly she’d be crazy to want that,” I said.

“If he’d treated her right, but they didn’t mesh long-term? I wouldn’t have a problem with them catching up. But, that’s just me.” He shrugged. “What do you think of this hat?”

My mind reeled from Ethan’s harsh reference to Jake. I’d never heard Ethan speak so passionately about something before. Not even Italian history, which he loved.

I swallowed, then read the placard on the exhibit he’d asked about. “The green plaited straw bonnet dating back to the 1800s? It’s gorgeous. And looks similar to a hat I wore boating last weekend.”

He turned my way with a curious look. “Where’d you go boating?”

“On Folsom Lake.” I scooted down to the next exhibit, which was a brown straw bonnet with an adorable ribbon trim. “This I love, too. If I’d been alive two centuries ago, I’d totally have bought it. Wait, it’s for sale at two grand. Ouch. Makes the sun hat I bought at the mall sound like a steal.”

He chuckled, and gestured to the typed explanation next to the price. “It’s not for sale. This hat is part of the museum’s Adopt-an-Artifact program. You pay two grand to sponsor the cost of preserving the artifact for future generations to see.”

“Cool program.” I sidestepped down to the next item, which was a horse hair woven hat. “This one’s fifteen-hundred bucks. If I could afford it, I’d donate to conserve this one. But, since I’m currently answer phones for a living, it’s slightly over my budget.”

He raised his brows, as if concerned. “What happened to your practice?”

“I’ve taken a sabbatical the last couple months.” Once again, my stomach bubbled with worry over my low bank balance. “The lease on my office expires in less than two weeks, and I’ve decided not to renew. I’m searching for a new career.”

I wondered what the job description of a conservationist entailed. . . .

Ethan turned, and faced me straight on. “Why would you do that? You love your work.”

“It’s a long story . . .” My voice trailed off, making it obvious I wasn’t going to talk about it. Too depressing. “I enrolled in career counseling yesterday. They have multiple questionnaires and assignments, so I’ll find something else.”

I hoped.

“Let me know if I can help.” He didn’t push, but the double line between his brows remained. “Back to your friend. How does she feel about her boyfriend visiting with his ex?”

“Not too thrilled.” Why do men need to hang out with their ex, anyway? When did one woman stop being enough?

He scooted down to the next display. “Is her boyfriend not a stand-up guy?”

“He seems like he is, but I told her to be smart about it. You know, in case he’s hiding something.” My heart ached as I recalled Rachel’s worried expression after lunch.

Ethan raised his brows, but didn’t respond.

“What?” I pursed my lips. “You think I should’ve told her to trust blindly, like a sitting duck? I don’t want her to get screwed over like I did.”

He slid his arm around my shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

Two simple words, but I’d never been more confused by a sentence. “For what?”

He gazed down at me earnestly. “For how Jake betrayed you. You didn’t deserve that.”

I fought the burn behind my eyes. “I’m over it.”

He put a finger under my chin, and tilted my face up to him. “It’s okay if you’re not, you know.”

His eyes captured mine, and my breath caught in my throat. He had that intense and passionate look he gets when he’s completely focused, except, this time, it was on
me
. Held captive in his gaze, my worries faded away and the only thing occupying my mind was Ethan. The air thickened between us, and I felt an emotional cord pulling me toward him.

Suddenly, an elderly couple pushed up next to us, their loud voices bringing the world around me back into focus. Everything seemed messy and difficult again.

“I’m fine, Ethan. But thanks for asking.” I quickly stepped away from him, and turned my attention to the next exhibit. When I felt him come up beside me, my heart pounded against my chest in long, steady beats.

He leaned toward my ear. “I have something I want to show you.”

“Oh, really?” My mind zipped to all kinds of inappropriate images.

The corners of his mouth lifted. “It’s a huge secret I’ve never shown anyone before.”

Okay, unless Ethan was a virgin, we were definitely thinking of different things. “Tell me.”

He turned so we were facing each other, his eyes sizzling with excitement. “First, you have to promise never to tell another living soul about this.”

Talk about piquing my curiosity.

“I promise,” I said, glancing at his pockets, which seemed empty. “Where is it?”

With a mysterious smile, he clasped his hand around mine, and led me toward the exit. “My place.”

I gulped. His place?

This was so
not
a good idea.

Unable to resist, I hurried along beside him.

Chapter Three

Fifteen minutes later, I pulled into Ethan’s driveway in East Sacramento—a neighborhood I adored for its charming custom homes, many of which were built almost a century ago. Someday, I’d love to turn my condo into a rental and buy a house in a cozy neighborhood like this.

If I figured out a new career, that is.

Ethan’s house was an English-style cottage, and I parked behind his detached single-car garage, as instructed. We got out of our cars at the same time, and he pressed a remote to close his garage door as we walked toward the arched, wood, front door.

“Wow, Ethan.” His home had a darling, simple facade—painted light-brown with dark-brown shutters, and white-paned windows. Neatly trimmed bushes lined either side of the front of the porch, their pink blossoms giving off a sweet, honeysuckle scent. “Your house is beautiful, and the flowers smell amazing.”