“Because it’s coldout. He always wants me to wear a coat. He’s like obsessed with it.”
She rolled hereyes, but her expression was warm with sisterly affection. “He’s used to takingcare of people. It’s how he shows love. Trust me, I know how annoying it canbe, but it’s better to just let him have his way. Besides, he can’t help it.His mom was really sick when he was a kid and he had to take care of her untilshe died. And then he didn’t really have anyone, so he learned from a veryyoung age to take care of himself. Then he took care of our dad when he wasdying. Although our dad, the selfish bastard, didn’t deserve it. And now hetakes care of me. I probably don’t deserve it either to be honest.” She lookeddown at her shoes and smiled warmly. “And thank God, you know? Could youimagine me on my own? I would be so lost without him.”
Something warm andbubbly sprung up in my chest. It felt like melted chocolate and fuzzy slippersand understanding for a man that was always such a mystery. The feeling shockedmy entire system, surprising me with its permanency. I tried to reason it away.This was the heavy-handed maniac that had basically demanded I ride with himthe other night. No gentle please. No thoughtful consideration. Just bullyingme into whatever he decided was right. I shouldn’t feel sympathy or compassionor anything hot and fizzy and comfortable. “I guess that explains why he’salways so… responsible.”
“Oh shit!” shegasped. “Is that really the time? I’m so late! I’m sorry, but I have to go.”
“No worries!”
She steppedforward, pulling me into a surprising hug. “It was so good to chat with you. Weshould go to dinner or something sometime. I’ll get your number from Ezra.”
“Oh, uh, okay.” Icleared my throat, feeling awkward in her prolonged hug. “Sounds fun.”
Dillon pulled backand gave me her thousand watt smile. “Yay! K, see you soon!”
Then she was gone, takingall her excitable energy with her. I stared after her for a minute, marvelingat how different she and Ezra were. She was all in your face with her enthusiasmand big smile. Ezra was dark ambiguity that slipped in and out of socialsituations, preferring to be unseen. She came in like a hurricane. Ezra was thesilent night sky.
Or storm cloudsbefore they released their rain.
But then again,Ezra was different than anyone I knew. Different and alluring, and totallyunexpected.
I finished up myshopping, adding cereal, ice cream and Skittles to the basket. Fact: I shouldknow better than to shop on an empty stomach. Second Fact: I said that everytime I bought ice cream.
When I left themarket the sky had darkened, bringing twilight. I hurried home, my hungerurging me to move faster.
I put my groceriesaway and turned on the news over dinner, which consisted of two bowls of GoldenGrahams and an orange. Yep, that’s right. Molly Maverick, twenty-seven-year-oldindependent woman, graphic designer, closet toddler.
Grabbing my phone,I pulled up Vera’s number and texted her.Ijust had kid cereal for supper. I give up on life. Maybe I should let you teachme to cook?
Vere: No way. You’re a lost cause.
Me: It could be fun!
Vere: It could be dangerous!
Me: Do you want me to starve? Man cannot live on sugar andcarbs alone.
Vere: YOU’VE been living off sugar and carbs for your entirelife.
She had a point.
An emailnotification popped up and I abandoned all hope that Vera was going to rescueme from my life sentence of terrible cooking.
Maybe I couldconvince myself that I liked burned food. Maybe it could become my thing. LikeI would start asking for restaurants to purposefully scorch my steak and charmy chicken.
With thatdisgusting thought in my head, I opened my email to see a new one from Ezra.I’d sent over notes on his website earlier today, although since it was Sunday,I hadn’t expected a reply until tomorrow. Even Ezra carved out a little time onSunday to have a nap. Or maybe not a nap, that didn’t really seem like hisstyle, but a few hours away from work.
Immediately, I feltrestless. I thought about walking away from my phone completely. I wanted topaint. I wanted to grab a bowl of ice cream. I wanted to go to spin class anddrive out my confusing frustration by torturing my butt and legs.
That’s howdesperate I was.
In the end, Isettled for pulling my legs beneath me and braving the email.
From: [email protected]
Date: April 2, 2017 19:12:51 EST
