My cheeks flamed abrighter red. But I wasn’t the only one sporting a fierce blush after hisadmonishment.
I put my hand inhis just to make this moment end, and he tugged me to standing. To be honest,it wasn’t my most graceful rise from the ashes moment, but I was happy to be onmy bare feet once again.
Pulling my handfrom Ezra’s as soon as I could—ignoring the heat, strength and perfection of hishand completely—I forced myself to mumble a quick, “Thank you.”
He raised hisstupideyebrows. “How did you end up on the floor?”
“I was looking formy shoes.”
Without flinchingor acknowledging the weirdness of his words, he said, “I put them in my officeso they wouldn’t get lost.”
Raising my chin tokeep from dropping my mouth open, I accepted his words with my very best pokerface.
Vera was lesssmooth. “That was so nice of you, Ezra! You are the nicest ever! Molly, wasn’tEzra so nice to do that for you?”
Killian and Istared at Vera in horror. I called Ezra Killian’s BFF, but only because therewasn’t an easier way to explain their relationship. From everything that Verahad told me, things were always strained between the two. She said thebromancewas of the die-for-you variety, but neither ofthem really liked the other one.
Vera and I were alsoa Bryan Adam’s song. But we were all about the love.
“You don’t have toanswer that, Molly,” Killian offered. “My drunk girlfriend doesn’t know whatshe’s asking you.”
Ezra shot Killian amurderous look and I heard myself snort a laugh. “I think after tonight she’sofficially your drunk fiancée,” I told him, ignoring the Ezra bunny trailaltogether. “But she’s definitely drunk. You should probably get her homebefore she starts singing.”
“Singing?” Wyattasked.
“When Vera drinkstoo much she starts acting like she’s in a musical. She starts singingeverything.”
Killian noddedsomberly. “It’s true. And terrifying.”
Wyatt barked alaugh. “I’d like to see that.”
This time themurderous glare came from Killian. “That’s all right. I’ll get her home beforewe get to that part.”
It was my turn tocackle. “He’s only saying that because after the singing comes the stripping!”
Wyatt tossed hishead back, his whole body shaking from laughter. Killian put his arm aroundVera just in case she jumped the gun. “Thank you all for a fantastic night,” hesaid sincerely. “You guys are the best.”
I grinned withpride, but before I could say anything, Vera belted out a loud, sing-songy, “Thankyouuuuuuu!”
Killian shook hishead at her, but his expression was complete adoration. “And that’s our cue toleave.”
“Mine too.” I hid ayawn behind my hand. “Although I should help you guys clean up.”
“Don’t let him makeyou,” Killian warned. “He has people for that.”
“Yeah, people likeme,” Wyatt grumbled.
Ezra looked at him.“Since when have I made you clean up front of house?”
Wyatt swiped hishand over his mouth and I suspected it was to hide a smile. “Tonight?”
Ezra made anexasperated face. “No, not tonight. Killian’s right. I do pay people for this.”He placed his hands on his hips and looked around at the mess. “Although Isuspect they’re going to charge me double this time.”
Killian made asound. “At least.”
I shuffled over tothe table I’d just been peering under, horrified that Ezra was going to have toput more money into this party that was all my idea. “I don’t mind helping.Really.”
Wyatt beat me toit, clearing the plates. “Don’t touch those,” he ordered. “They’re mine.”
