Ethan opened the door to his flat, raising his eyebrows at his mother.
"Hey mum. What brings you here?" He asked, leaning down to kiss her cheeks, then stepped back to let her in.
"What? Can't a mother drop by to say a quick hello to her favorite son?" Martha patted his cheek and breezed into the room, as usual wrinkling her nose at the typical masculine decor. "Honestly darling, how can you live like this? This place is depressing."
Ethan grinned, knowing full well his mother had a hidden agenda. Martha Lachlan only visited when she had something up her sleeve. He only prayed that this time it wasn't to convince him to go on a blind date with some woman she thought would be perfect for him. With his adopted siblings all happily married, Martha had switched her full attention to her youngest son…often without much success.
“Other mothers maybe, but not you. And I like the decor just fine. Would you like some tea?" He moved to the kitchen area, searching for the elusive tea kettle.
His mother sighed and reached up to open a cupboard. Sure enough, the kettle was right there - exactly where she'd put it the last time she'd dropped by. "Why don't you let me make the tea instead?"
Ethan was more than happy to oblige, propping himself against the marble workstation to watch.
"I worry about you Ethan," Martha sighed, plugging the kettle in, "You need to start living better, not drown yourself in work. How do you even eat? This kitchen hasn't been touched in ages."
Ethan folded his arms across his chest and shrugged. "I manage just fine."
"Yes, but are you happy?" Martha moved to stand in front of him and gave him a fond smile. "Are all your needs being met?"
A mental image of Erin fulfilling a particular need rose in his mind and he shifted, feeling a sudden tightening in his groin. Damn, it'd been a couple of days since that encounter yet the memories were still fresh in his mind.
"I'm fine mum." He repeated, pushing off the worktop to fetch the green tea. "Earl Grey?"
His mother chuckled. "Fine. Change the subject if you want. I've decided not to interfere anymore and let you do your thing."
Yeah, and he was that gullible. “Riiiight.”
“Now, as to my reason for dropping by. I’m having a bake sale to raise money for the new shelter for homeless kids and I would love it if you could come. It’s this weekend and I already checked with your PA to know you have nothing planned so don’t even think about giving me an excuse.”
“Mum, I’ve told you before, I can give you enough money to build a hundred shelters and I’m sure Cade, Emily and Jared could sponsor a hundred more. Why do you need a bake sale for Christ’s sake?”
The three brothers owed their lives to Homewood, the shelter for homeless kids run by Bernie and Martha Lachlan. Ethan still had memories of living on the streets, after runningaway from his home to escape his step father when he was only five. His mother had just passed away from cancer and life with his step father had been filled with beatings. Unable to bear the abuse, he'd opted to take his chances on the streets. Just thinking about it was enough to fill him with pain.
He’d lived a nightmare for months, until Bernie had found him and took him in, adopting him and three other kids as their own.
“Yes dear, but a bake sale creates more awareness about the plight of those poor children.” Martha was saying. “Besides, the kids love the idea and a couple of them have been learning to bake.”
“Fine, I’ll be there.” Ethan raked a hand through his hair, making a mental note to write a huge check for the shelter.
Martha laughed in delight. “Splendid, I’ve already emailed you the venue and time. So don’t be late.”
“You already had everything planned out right?” Ethan said, shaking his head in amusement.
“Of course, you know I like to plan ahead.” Martha pointed out, then cleared her throat subtly. “There’s just one little detail left darling.”
Uh oh. He should have seen that one coming. “Mother….?”
“Jackie’s a really nice girl Ethan, She just moved to Chicago and needs someone to show her around. I already invited her to the bake sale so you can meet her…”
“That won’t be necessary Mum.” Ethan cut in, “I’m already bringing someone.”
*****
“So, who’s the new guy?”
Erin choked on her cup of coffee, barely avoiding spraying the other occupants with the liquid. She carefully set the cup down, avoiding their gazes by fixing her eyes on the knitted tablecloth while she gathered her thoughts. She could feel the rush of hot color flood her cheek and muttered a curse.
Kim leaned forward, eyes and ears agog at the thought of fresh gossip. “Erin’s seeing someone? Why didn’t I hear about this?”
“I’m not seeing anyone!” Erin cut in firmly before her mother could answer. “Mum’s mistaken.”
“What makes you think she’s seeing someone Aunt Vicks?” Nicky cast a questioning glance at Victoria, who was still watching her daughter’s reaction closely. “Erin hasn’t said anything.”
Victoria smiled and leaned across the table to pat her daughter’s hand. The four women were taking a break from a morning filled with shopping. “You’re glowing, and lately you’ve had that telltale look in your eyes that tells me there’s a man involved.”
Oh for heaven’s sakes. Erin stifled the urge to groan out loud, even though her heart raced a million miles a minute. Even though her dealings with Ethan didn’t exactly qualify as a ‘relationship,’ after all, she hadn’t seen or spoken to him since he’d walked out her apartment four days ago. Not that she expected anything to come out of it, it was just sex and nothing else.
Though, she’d been more than a little perplexed…ok and pleased to have woken up to find herself spooned against Ethan, his light snores filling her ears while he slept. Later, they’d showered together, making love twice more before he’d left.
Still, none of them would be exactly thrilled to know she’d had sex with Ethan Lachlan, a fact Erin had no intention of revealing…ever.
“There’s no one.” She repeated, picking up her cup once more.
Kim studied her intently. “Your mum’s right though, you look like a woman who’s getting some action. Is it Todd?”
“Todd’s the cute doctor right?” Nicky asked, dutifully sipping on her glass of water. Like all brides to be, she was on a crazy diet which seemed to consist of drinking only water.
Kim nodded, "Yeah, it's either him or..." She broke off abruptly and shot Erin a dirty look, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Oh boy.
Erin fought the urge to groan again, already feeling a major headache coming on. She avoided Kim's knowing look, unwilling to acknowledge the accusation in her eyes. "Look, can we forget about my sex life? It's weird discussing about this in a crowded cafe, more so with my own mother present."
Nicky came to the rescue. "We should get going, we don't want to miss Erin's final fitting session."
Erin could have hugged her cousin. Hastily gathering up her bags, she shot to her feet. "Yes, let's go."
Just then, her phone rang. Setting the bags back on the ground, she fished it out of her purse and checked the caller I'd.
Speak of the devil.