“Why not?”
Her eyes shot up to my face before she peered at something over my shoulder. A far off look appeared on her face.
I lowered the glass of milk I’d been ready to take a sip from, alarm bells ringing in my gut.
“No reason. Just girl stuff.” She waved a hand as if it was no big deal.
Something told me differently, though. Before I could question Chanel about it, noise at the door drew both of our attentions. A few seconds later, the door opened, and a man strode through. He stopped short when his eyes landed on me. His face turned into a scowl.
“E-Ethan,” Chanel started, jumping from her seat and scurrying over to her boyfriend. “You’re home. I thought you’d be in a little later.” I could’ve been imaging things, but her voice sounded strange. Almost guilty.
I frowned, not liking the tone her voice now held. His scowl moved from me to Chanel.
“Yeah, I finished the brief I was working on earlier than expected. I thought I’d come home and surprise my favorite girl by taking her out to dinner. But I see you’ve already eaten.” He eyed the plates on the table, then turned his gaze on me.
I picked up my glass and took the last sip of milk before slowly standing. I didn’t like the vibe I was getting from this dude.
“Ethan, this is Xavier, Jason’s best friend. He’s in D.C. on business and stopped by to drop off some scones. We were just catching up.” She stopped talking shortly, biting her lower lip and moving to stand in between me and Ethan.
“Yeah, that’s right. You’ve told me about him.” His face seemed to soften just a little.
“What’s up?” I greeted, sticking my hand out.
“Not much, man.” He shook my hand. We stood at about the same height. At six-foot-one, I may have been an inch or two taller than him. “Thanks for keeping my girl company while I was at work.” He pulled Chanel into his side.
“Thanks for the scones, Xavier.” Chanel gave me a half-smile.
“Anytime,” I responded, and I swear Ethan’s face tightened at that. Before I could give him another look, my phone buzzed. I pulled it out seeing the name of the woman I’d intended to take out later that evening. That reminded me I needed to head out if I was going to make my date with Genene. I hit ignore but shot her a quick text letting her know I’d call her back in a few minutes.
“I gotta head out. Chanel, it was good catching up. Ethan.” I gave him a nod as I stepped around him and moved to the door.
“Thanks again,” Chanel added as she escorted me out.
There was a look in her eyes I wanted to ask about, but my phone buzzed again. This time it was my assistant, telling me some information about a building I’d been looking to purchase.
“You take care. Enjoy those scones.”
“I will.” She closed the door rather abruptly, but I didn’t think too much of it as I strolled down the hall, reading over the email I’d just received.
****
I looked up at Jason after recalling that exchange close to six years ago. “Shit,” I stated, slumping back down to the bench.
“What?” Jay frowned, sitting across from me.
“I felt something was off with that dude too. The first time I met him, he seemed...pressed that I was even in his apartment. Chanel’s demeanor changed too. Like, she scurried to be up underneath him, almost rushing me out the door once he showed up. Fuck! I should’ve known then.” I shook my head, unable to believe what I’d just remembered. How could I not have seen it back then? She was scared as hell of him. I’m sure Ethan coming home and seeing another man in his apartment had been enough to set him off that night. My hands balled into fists.
“Yo, X. Don’t beat yourself up about this either. You’re right, she’s my sister. I should’ve known too. I was too busy being caught up in my own world.”
“Fuck that. We both should’ve known better.” I shook my head, staring at the ground. My instincts were one thing I prided myself on, and now remembering how I’d ignored them pissed me off. “I’ve been looking for his ass too.”
Jason’s gaze shot back to me. “Ethan?”
“Hell, yeah. He’s been in the wind. He hasn’t worked full-time as a lawyer in years. Does some freelancing here and there, but he moves around a lot. I have a private investigator looking for him,” I admitted.
Jay nodded. “I had to handle Robert’s ass, so I got a little distracted from looking for Ethan.”
“I’m gonna see him sooner or later,” I stated. The memory I’d just had of that brief exchange back in D.C. made me want to see him soon. The look I’d been trying to identify in Chanel’s eyes that evening was fear. Plain and simple. It was the same look I remember seeing on the rooftop the night of her engagement party, when her fiancé came out while I was congratulating her. If I hadn’t been so concerned about my business or my date that first time, I might’ve caught on sooner. Either way, I knew I was going to catch up with Ethan’s ass eventually.
