“What’s wrong?” he asks, stepping over to me.
“Nothing. Blaire was just telling me she’s engaged and is moving in with Victor.” I make sure my voice is upbeat.
“Congratulations,” Ethan says to her. “Looks like a celebration is in order.”
“We should go to Assets,” I blurt out.
“The strip club?” Blaire asks, confused.
“I added it to my list.” Technically Ethan did, but semantics…
“I’m down,” Blaire says, looking at Victor.
“I’m a man… I’m always down,” Victor says with a laugh, causing Blaire to glare at him playfully.
“Ethan?” I ask.
He groans, but when a half-smile appears, I know he’s going to say yes. “Come into the club and have a drink. Let me handle some business and give the owner a call to let him know we’re going, andthen we’ll go over there in a little while.”
“Yay!” I squeal, throwing my arms around him. “Thank you!”
After getting us drinks and demanding I stay put at the table he’s reserved for us, Ethan gives me a kiss and then leaves.
As I’m taking a sip of my fruity drink, I notice Blaire is looking at me weird. “What?”
“Nothing,” she says, shaking her head. “You’ve just… you’ve changed… for the better. You’re different with him.”
My face and cheeks heat up as I think about how different things are with him, and I’m thankful the club is dark and Blaire can’t see… until she gasps and says, “Oh my God! You’ve had sex with him!”
“What?” I sputter. “No!”
“Then you’ve come close. I can see it in your eyes. Don’t you lie to me.” She lifts my hand. “Where’s your ring? The one that symbolizes your promise not to have sex before marriage.” I took it off the night I made the decision to separate myself from my mother and the church.
“Blaire!” I yank my hand back, not wanting to have this conversation in front of Victor and Rosco.
“I’m not going to drop this until you tell me.”
“Fine.” I lean in so only she can hear me over the loud music. “We’ve done… stuff.”
“I knew it! We need to have a girls’ day soon so you can tell me everything.”
That actually sounds really good. Sure, Rosco would have to go, but I could probably get Ethan to have him stand a few feet away so Blaire and I could talk in private… or she could come to the beach house where it’s safe. We could do a pool day.
“Let’s plan it,” I agree.
“Plan what?” Ethan asks, planting a kiss on my cheek.
“A girls’ day. I was thinking Blaire could come over to the beach house and we could go swimming… If that’s okay,” I say, backtracking. I should’ve asked him first, or maybe I should ask his dad. It is actually his house after all.
“Of course it’s okay,” Ethan says. “Any of your friends are welcome over any time. You don’t have to ask.”
Blaire smiles. “I would love to come over and hang out.”
She takes a sip of her drink, looking from Ethan to me as if we’re a puzzle that needs to be solved. “How long are you planning on staying there? You sound like you two are living together.”
“My dad and mom recently returned from vacation and we’re staying there to spend time with them,” Ethan says, saving me since I had no clue how to answer her. “We’re only going to be there for a few more weeks, though. My parents are planning a trip to Vegas in about a month or so.”
This is news to me. Does that mean he plans to have me safe in the next few weeks? The thought leaves me with mixed feelings. I hate being scared of being taken, but I’ve grown to love hanging out with Ethan, especially the last few nights of us sharing a bed. And when I go home, I’ll not only be without Ethan, but without Blaire.
