The Art of Ethan (13 page)

"Shit!” Ethan slammed his hand on the counter. Chase was right behind him.

"Whoa, there.” Chase put his hand on his brother's shoulder. What had gotten into him? “They'll be back."

"I know, I just...” He thought better. Chase knew him too well. One chink in the armor, and he would pry the whole thing open. “I was thinking about getting Grace a ticket to fly in tomorrow night. Is there a computer around here?"

"Yeah, in your bedroom.” Chase laughed because he had used it twice already.

The room doubled as an office, and Ethan had only set his bags on the bed one minute then ended up back in Grace's room the next. “I don't know, man. That's a serious gesture."

Ethan wasn't listening. He headed for the stairs. Chase blew a heavy sigh and followed after him. Megan had explained the danger in this. Neither Ethan nor Grace would leave their respective homes. Ethan had the gallery; it was his life. Their grandfather had groomed him since childhood to take it over.

Under Ethan's care, it had grown and become a fixture in the community. Grace, well anyone who stepped foot in this house could tell it was a shrine. It was her mother's house not hers. She hadn't let go of anything. Unintentionally, he found her manuscript on the computer. It was empty. Two words. She was still living in the past.

Meanwhile...

"I need to know you're going to be there for me, Gracie.” Megan seemed a little bossier than usual. “Me.” She pointed at herself. “I'm the bride."

"I'm aware of that bride-zilla” Grace laughed.
Who does Megan think she is? Whoa ... Where did this fire come from? No, Megan is all I have left, so making her mad is not a good idea.

"I mean Ethan. You are my maid of honor, Grace, and only there for the weekend, and you have been stuck up his butt since we got here.” She huffed and puffed and clicked her little heels. “You have barely spoken to me, and surely after that bedroom thing, I thought you would seek me out, talk to me, or SOMETHING."

Grace realized something all right, something she hadn't really realized before. Megan was jealous. Not of her and Ethan, at least that wasn't the signal she was getting. Megan was jealous of Ethan, getting all of her time. Megan was used to Grace as a third wheel.

She always had a man in tow, and since Megan hated Mitchell even when they were together, it was the rare occasion he would be allowed along. Grace never had a distraction. She gave her cousin all her time and attention. Until now. Huh.

"Sorry.” Grace meant it. After all, it was because of Megan she had met Ethan. “I thought that's what you wanted."

They approached the restaurant and went inside.

The woman recognized the pair immediately coming to hug and pinch their cheeks. “Gracie, where is the fine young man everyone's been talking about?"

There it was, already. “Back at the house. Megan and I are working on wedding plans today."

"Oh, well you be sure and bring him by sometime, okay?” Her sweet eyes were sincere. “I'll make him something special."

"Next time.” Grace smiled though she never anticipated there being a next time. That caused a strange pinch in her chest.

They sat at a table outside for privacy. Megan laid out the plans for her bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and the wedding itself. They made last minute decisions on seating and flower arrangements. Since Grace was the maid of honor, Chase and Ethan's father was walking her down the aisle. Megan didn't want Grace, her only living relative to do it.

Something Grace realized she had missed in this line up was all the cousins in the wedding party. It was going to be a huge deal. Megan had to pick up her Vera Wang dress Friday morning, and as she said it, Grace thought about Ethan.

"Why didn't you tell me it was Ethan's birthday on Friday?” Grace interrupted. This is exactly what Megan was talking about.

"What?” Megan looked genuinely confused.

"His birthday?” Grace repeated now waving her hands. She caught herself and thought how he must be rubbing off on her. “Tomorrow."

"Shit,” Megan said aloud and looked around to see if anyone heard her. “I forgot, shit, shit, shit."

"What?"

"I didn't get him anything.” Megan's eyes started to well up with fat tears. “Chase asked me to do one thing, order the cake, one thing!"

She was on the verge of crying.

"Why are you freaking out?” Grace couldn't understand. “Just call someone. You're in PR. You plan parties. Someone has to owe you a favor."

"My soon to be mother-in-law thinks I'm self-centered. Katherine Young is not someone you want on your bad side.” She wept. “She hates me."

"Oh honey, no, no,” Grace said the words but knew Megan's soon to be mother-in-law was right. Grace had known Megan all her life. Two years younger, she was the baby. Everyone, even Grace, treated her like the baby, but hate is a strong word, and Megan loved Chase. Surely, the woman didn't really hate her.

"Tell me about his mother. She doesn't really hate you, I'm sure.” Grace wiped Megan's tears with a smile. “How could she hate my favorite person in the world now?"

"I miss you, Gracie.” Megan wailed again.

Grace had to keep her composure, and like she always did, she dug deep, pulled out the emotional mask, and wore it.

Meanwhile on Ann Street...

"Are you checking e-mail or something?” Chase watched as his big brother tapped his fingers and wiggled around in his chair. He only saw him like this when he wanted something. That wasn't often, but when he did, Ethan had no patience. He wants what he wants when he wants it. With his financial position, he was used to getting it.

"Airlines.” He tapped on the desk staring at the lap top computer just waiting for it to connect.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Chase was waving his hands as he moved in for the computer. “Your birthday party is tomorrow, family, friends. You're not staying here another day."

"No, not for me, you idiot, for Grace.” He tried to reopen the laptop Chase had now closed. “Excuse me."

"Ugh, not likely.” Chase didn't budge. “Look at yourself man, what are you planning to do, huh? Buy her a ticket you don't even know she wants? We just covered the fact that it was a bad idea."

"She would come, I know it.” He went for Chase's hand again.

"No, you don't know it. Let me tell you what you don't know before you open that computer and drop money down the drain.” Chase was very sobering. His voice was heavy and sincere. “Grace won't leave this place. You understand that, don't you?"

"I'm not trying to propose marriage. Damn, Chase, we haven't even had sex!” Shit. Here it goes, his little brother always busted him, always following behind and into everything. It got annoying at times but had kept Ethan grounded in reality at others. Why would he be so worried? Grace and he were just friends. Even if they had sex, it didn't change anything about the relationship. Had he let on otherwise?

"I thought Megan caught you two...” Chase didn't continue. He wanted Ethan to tell him what exactly was going on now.

"No. She caught us messing around. It may have gone farther, but Megan walked in.” He spared the final details to protect Grace's honor. “We came right down, but you guys were gone."

"Oh, okay, so why the whole show?” Chase was annoyed. He didn't like being lied to, especially by his big brother, whom he trusted and respected a great deal. If Ethan wanted to toy with a woman, he could choose any hundred in New York. Why did he choose Grace?

"Well, if we could convince you two we were a couple, it would be comfortable around the family back home.” Ethan shrugged. It was truth, not the whole truth, but it protected Grace. Made it sound like his idea not hers. “You know that Chloe will never stop as long as I'm single. I hoped to get the word out that I was no longer available. Grace is safe, no one knows her."

"And Grace is okay with this?” Chase could tell there was more between them, but maybe his brother didn't admit that to himself yet. “Lying, to our entire family and all of our friends?"

Ethan was off the chair and looming over Chase in an instant.

"She is doing this for me. I asked her to. She's not lying to anyone. I am.” His jaw clenched, and his nostrils flared. Why would his brother take a shot like that at Grace?

"Just checking.” Chase put his hands up between them and stepped back. He had to push Ethan's buttons. He had to know if his brother was playing with Grace, a bad idea, or falling for her, a complicated situation.

"I know women when it comes to you. They all want to help you out then help themselves to you. They all have dreams of marriage. I don't know Grace would be any different. She seems like marriage material, Ethan, not a fling. You will have to see her forever, as long as I'm with Megan. And I mean that to be forever."

"She's not like that. And like you said, neither of us will be moving. But we both could benefit from a friend right now.” Ethan sat back down. Chase was right, his words sobering. Grace was more than a weekend fling kind of girl, but they were friends, and he couldn't give up on that. He didn't want to give up on that. Buying a ticket was too pushy. It insinuated more than he could give. He didn't want to get her hopes up for something more. “But you're right, no ticket."

Ethan opened the laptop and checked his e-mail instead. Chase loomed over him and realized his big brother, the heartbreaker, had it bad. Chase could only hope that Megan could work his idea out for them, and in the end Ethan wouldn't be the one with his heart broken.

Dropping them off at the airport was a sad event. Grace cherished every moment she had with Ethan. He was packed when she and Megan returned, so they chatted and enjoyed each other's company until it was time to leave.

Ethan felt awkward since his brother was secretly in on the hoax now. Of course, a guy would kiss a girl before leaving if they were lovers, right? No harm in a kiss. Even friends kissed goodbye. Besides, he wanted to taste her lips one more time. It would be a month before he could touch them again. He had already set it in his mind to do a special exhibit, full of Grace and all of her details.

Grace hugged Chase first and popped him hard on the tush with the back of her hand. “Take care of bride-zilla for me."

Megan stomped in protest but then smiled and hugged her cousin tightly. Megan had pulled her to the ladies’ room when they arrived at the airport and let Grace in on the plan. Grace had never been a spur of the moment kind of person, but she wanted, no, she needed to see him again.

"I'll be there. Don't forget to pick me up,” Grace whispered and kissed Megan goodbye.

Ethan was patiently waiting and wondering how this moment would play out. He tried to look detached and indifferent, but even as she drew near him, he felt semi-hard and aware of her every move.

"Well.” Grace stood in front of him. “Call me when you get home.”
Don't sound sad. Be happy. This is no big deal. You're just friends.

"I will.” Ethan didn't give her a chance to protest. He grabbed her and quickly covered her lips with his own. At first she was reluctant but quickly accepted him. Her arms moved from his chest to his back. She held on tightly. He hated to let go.

"See you in a few weeks.” He kissed her forehead, took a forced step away from her, and headed through the security line.

Of course, there was no wait. He waved from the other side, smiling at the way she touched her lips before waving back to him. Damn, she was under his skin.

Grace watched him leave with a rumble of mixed emotions. Her lips felt stung by the force of his kiss. She had a lot to do in the next twenty-four hours. Megan had decided what Ethan needed most for his birthday was Grace, so she bought her a ticket. Grace protested, but Megan and Chase were insistent.

Once she got in her SUV, she dialed up Amy. If she wanted the gear, she would get it tonight. Her head was swimming in thought when she met the other woman and turned over all of her keys and paperwork. It wasn't as emotional as she thought it would be. She was almost relieved to let it go. Like shedding off an old skin, it just wasn't who she was anymore.

Grace came home to find an unexpected guest on her door at nine that night.

"Mitchell,” she said flatly.

"Grace,” he returned in kind.

"Can I help you?” She walked past him and to the door.

"I just thought I would stop by,” he said, looking her up and down. She stepped past him like she really didn't care he was there. “Say hi."

"Really?” Grace was sarcastic. “How long have you been home?"

"Just today, this morning.” He looked around the open space of the kitchen and living room.

She wondered if he had seen her with Ethan. The only thing that could make this moment better would be if Ethan was actually here, and she could introduce him. “Looking for someone?"

"Ugh, no, I mean, I don't want to interrupt anything if you have company and all."

He seemed to relax. That agitated Grace. He was way too comfortable around her.

"So, is it serious?"

"What?” Grace couldn't believe this. He came here because he was jealous? Looking at him now, she couldn't see how she slept with this weasel. He was getting fat, like his mother. He always was a momma's boy. “Ethan?"

"That's his name?” He sounded desperate.

"Yes, it is.” And for good measure, “Yes, it's serious."

"Gracie, you know I never meant to hurt you.” His eyes were beady and sad.

This was his routine all right. Any time she moved on, he would suck her back but not this time. Even if Ethan wasn't the man for her, she now had a real man to measure all men against, and Mitchell, well, he was coming up short. In more areas than one!

"Get out,” she said simply and pointed to the door.

"Gracie, don't do this.” He was on his knees now.

"Mitchell, I don't care if you crawl out that door, as long as you find the other side of it.” She stepped past him and into the kitchen. “And just so you know, I'm a good cook. I made chicken alfredo, and everyone
loved
it."

He slowly stood and walked to the door. He had never seen Grace like this before. He didn't like it. “Well, when he leaves, and he will, I'll be around. Maybe."

"Hold your breath.” She waved as he walked out. Leaving the door open, she watched him tromp down her porch stairs until the bottom of the screen door blocked her view. God, that felt good!

As if on cue, the phone rang.

"Hello.” Grace expected Megan by now.

"Where have you been? I called when I got home, like a good boy.” Ethan teased.

"Hi, I uh, had a few errands to run.” Grace could feel the butterflies. She missed him. She didn't need to miss him like this.

"I've been gone less than eight hours, and you're already on to another man, aye?” He laughed into the phone.

It felt good to hear her voice. Alone in his loft, Ethan regretted not buying the ticket. He could pay whatever the cost. It would be worth it. He knew there was something going on between them. She filled his thoughts now. Unable to push her out, he had to call. He was going to wait until the next day. Create distance. Establish that they were friends not lovers. But he couldn't settle in, he just wanted to talk to her.

Time just flew by; then, the cordless phone Grace now held to her ear in the bed was beeping.

"Low battery.” She was tired, so was he. They had talked for hours about nothing. There weren't any discussions of sex, or the future, or anything that would matter. Her ear was numb.

"I guess that's the signal to go then.” Ethan's voice was thick and sleepy.

"I wish you could be here.” He paused, and she could hear him rustling around in his bed. “Damn, it's three in the morning. I'm officially old now."

"You are not old.” Grace giggled. “Happy birthday, Ethan."

Her voice was silky.

"Thanks, Gracie.” He breathed a heavy sigh. “Good night, sweetheart."

"Night.” The phone went dead before she could finish.

It was just as well. She had only three hours to sleep before making the drive to Jacksonville. It was the closest mall, and Megan had left her magazine clippings to shop for clothes. If she was going to crash a party in New York, she had to dress the part.