Emily

“Where the hell have you been? Don’t you answer your messages anymore?” Dana squawked into the phone. She was pissed this morning, rightfully so. As two single women in New York, we had a system in place. We touched base every day and at least texted when we got home safely each night.

Only, last night I forgot. And I somehow managed to let my phone die, so I didn’t get any of her messages.

Shit.

“I’m sorry.” I yawned as I scanned over some boring paperwork that Arthur had dumped on my desk. “I stayed at Ethan’s, and my phone got left downstairs.”

“I thought I was going to have to go identify your body somewhere, you asshole! You know the drill. A text, just one, and I could have gotten some sleep last night instead of staying up worrying about your whore ass. And what were you doing? Huh? Banging the drummer! That’s adding insult to injury!” She blew out a breath and switched straight from pissed to nosy. “So, was he good? I hear drummers have great rhythm.”

I glanced around, finding myself blissfully alone for the moment. “And he hit it just right every time.”

“Bitch.”

“I really am sorry.”

“You better be. And you tell drummer boy that if you disappear on me again, I’m calling him out as a likely suspect on the front steps of the Times.”

“Tell him yourself on Thursday.” I chuckled.

“That reminds me, should I bring an extra pie? I don’t know his appetite, so I thought maybe more is better.”

“He does like to eat…”

“I hate you.”

“You love me.”

“Till death, you horrible, horrible, drummer-banging, non-texting pain in my ass.”

“Oh, Thursday! I forgot!”

“Forgot what? You’re not ditching me, are you?”

“No, fool. But we’ve got a change of venue. I’m cooking at Ethan’s so there’s room for the rest of the band.”

She sucked in loudly. “The whole band? Don’t toy with me, bitch.”

“I’m serious. The entire band will be there, plus Aubrey, Kade’s wife. And you, of course.”

“Ho. Lee. Shit.” She blew out the breath she’d so dramatically sucked in. “I’m definitely going to need more pies. Lots more pies.”

“Then quit bitching me out and get ta baking, heifer.”

“Pumpkin, apple, chocolate silk, pecan…what else? Any requests?”

“One request.”

“What?”

“Do not under any circumstances bang Lennox Reid.”

She didn’t balk, which surprised me. Lennox was kind of obnoxious, but he was also hot as fuck, just like the rest of them. Seriously, every damn one of them was gorgeous. It was insane. “Are the others fair game? Maybe this girl wants to get flung, too. You ever think of that?”

“Get yourself flung elsewhere, wench. Not kidding.”

“Buzzkill.”

“You’re not the first to call me that lately.”

“That’s because it’s true. I’ve got to go. Call me after work,” she said in a singsong voice before hanging up.

I just shook my head and went back to my paperwork, torn between worrying about Dana and feeling sorry for those poor guys, who had no idea what they’d be in for with her.

Either way, it would be a Thanksgiving to remember.

* * *

It was almost time to leave for the day when Niko strolled in, looking even more tanned than he had the last time he was there, which meant he’d been traveling again.

“Bonjour!” He grinned, his long coat flapping behind him as he strode across the room, making a beeline for me and ignoring Arthur completely. “I’m just in from Paris for a couple of days and thought I would check on my favorite assistant curator. How are things, Emily?”

He took my hand and covered it with both of his.

“I’m good, Niko. Thanks for asking. The provenances for the pieces you picked up in Prague just came in, and I’ve been doing some cataloging that was pushed back because of preparations for the Conspicuous exhibit.”

“Ah, Conspicuous. So glad you mentioned him.” He eyed me in that shark-like way I hated. “Have we gotten the signed contracts from him yet?”

“Most likely, everything will have to wait until after the holidays because of his schedule, but he’s assured me it’s being handled as soon as possible. We’re staying in contact, and I should know more soon.”

I didn’t mention just how in contact Conspicuous and I really were, but I decided that was no one’s business but Ethan’s and mine.

Niko said nothing for a while, and I began to fidget under his intense stare. Finally, he smiled a similarly creepy smile that didn’t reach his dark eyes and nodded. “Excellent. I’m pleased with your continued attention on this important business matter.” He emphasized the word business in a deliberate way that set my teeth on edge.

For some reason, I felt like I’d just been warned.

He made short work of greeting Arthur and a few of the other staffers before approaching me as I reached for my coat.

“Leaving already?” He took my coat and proceeded to help me slip it on.

I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Yes, sir. I’m only here until four since I’m opening this week.” I’d changed the schedule around so I could leave for the day as early as possible. With Ethan in town, I wanted my afternoons as free as I could manage to make them. Mornings were a bitch, but it wasn’t like I anticipated sleeping much anyway, so whatever.

And the Death Wish coffee really did help.

I’d be buying stock in that stuff by the end of the year, if Ethan kept me up every night like he had the last two nights. Not that I was complaining.

Sleep be damned.

I’d rest after New Year’s.

After he went back to his life and left New York, and me, behind.

This is a fling, I’ve got to remember that.

It’s a fling, not a forever.

And despite what Aubrey says, I have to keep thinking of it that way until Ethan says different.

I can’t set myself up for heartbreak.

I have to be realistic. Practical. Rational.

That’s the thing about hearts, though.

They don’t know what it means to be practical.

They’re no good at being rational.

They only know how to fall…

“Emily?”

I blinked, having spaced out. “Yes, sir?”

“Niko, please,” he corrected. “I asked if you’d like to grab a cup of coffee. I’m on my way out, as well.”

“Sorry, I was going over my grocery list in my head. I appreciate the invite, but I’m meeting a friend.”

He looked sullen as he tipped his head. “Another time, perhaps.”

I didn’t say anything, just smiled and got the hell out of there.

Since when does Niko ask employees out for coffee? There’s coffee in the break room.

Didn’t matter. I’d never go to coffee with him. As my boss, I respected him and was grateful for my job, but as a man he gave me the freaking willies. I frequently reminded myself that working in the gallery, around the art and artists, was what I loved. It didn’t have to be a perfect job, it was still my dream come true, even if the owner was…eccentric at times.

I was still shuddering at the thought of him asking me out when my phone chirped in my coat pocket.

Ethan: What are you wearing?

Me: Not a thing. I’m standing in the middle of Sixth Avenue in nothing but heels.

Ethan: If you freeze off my favorite parts of that delicious body, I’m gonna be super pissed.

Me: Which parts are your favorite?

Ethan: All. Of. Them. Now, get some clothes on woman and get over here. Thai food will be delivered within the hour, and I’ll be eating YOU shortly thereafter.

Me: Bossy!

Ethan: Sexy!

I couldn’t stop smiling as I ducked my head to block the cold and made my way the two blocks to my apartment.

It’s a fling.

Just a fling.

Don’t fall in love with a guy you can’t possibly keep.

Too late, a little voice chimed in.

My heart wasn’t listening to reason.

I was falling in love with Ethan ‘Conspicuous’ Chase.