I wasneveron time.
There was this hugechasm between us and it had nothing to do with our eight-year age gap. AlthoughI couldn’t help but be anxious about that as well.
We were nothingalike. We had nothing in common. I was always amazed when I got off the phone withhim and we’d managed to fill every single space with something to say or laughabout. And with every phone call, text, or flirty email, I felt myself slippingfurther and further into this thing we were creating together, this…relationship.
I was falling hardfor this man that was completely opposite than I’d originally thought. I’dasked for a man instead of a boy and I’d gotten one. But now I didn’t know whatto do with him or how to stop my heart from giving itself over to him socompletely.
When he finallyended things with me, I would never recover from this. I would never findanother relationship that was so completely everything I’d ever wanted.
If I was pickybefore, then Ezra was ruining me totally for any other man.
Spinster life wasmy real future.
I’d live out therest of my years with my twenty cats, dreaming about the gorgeous businessmanthat had once swept me off my feet and tricked me into believing that maybe Ihad a chance at happily ever after.
Bianca was nearingthe end of dinner service when I walked in. Ezra’s hostess nodded hello, butI’d been in the restaurant enough times that she knew I was there to see him.
Ezra had suggesteda late dinner and then I could work for an hour or two while the restaurantshut down for the night. It would be a late night for me, but spending it withEzra made it a no brainer.
I found him at hisusual table, a tablet in front of him as he tapped out an email to someone.Something low in my belly heated at the memory of his emails to me.
He looked up as Iapproached, sliding to his feet so he could pull me against him and drop asweet kiss on my lips. “Molly,” he whispered against my mouth.
I made a hummingsound and let him have his wicked way with me.
The kiss was tooshort and too demure and all I wanted was more of him and that talented mouthand for everyone in his restaurant to leave now, please. Thank you.
He gestured at thetable. “I ordered for us, I hope that’s okay.”
“Since the menumakes zero sense to me, I appreciate it.”
His mouth curled inthat crooked smile I found irresistible. “It’s in French,” he said obviously,like that was the reason I didn’t know what was on it.
“No, it’s in food,”I countered. “Which is so much worse than French.”
He stared at me fora long moment. “You should let me help you. I’ll teach you the basics so youdon’t have to be so afraid of a kitchen.”
My heartbeatquickened. My best friend wouldn’t even teach me how to cook. “You’re so busy,”I reminded him, not wanting him to promise something that he didn’t really wantto follow through on. “I’m a commitment that you don’t have time for.”
“Are you in ahurry?” His hand moved over my back, soothing both my physical body andemotional mind. “I mean, we have time, don’t we?”
His gaze wasachingly sincere and maybe he hadn’t meant time as in the rest of eternity, butthere was a deep, hidden part of me that relaxed. Let’s be real, I didn’t needhim to mean the rest of eternity. I wasn’t sure I wanted the rest of eternity.But I wanted his immediate future. And I hoped he wanted mine too.
Of course, I neededto not vomit these thoughts all over him, so I deferred to sarcasm. “So you’resaying hold back on my application forChopped?”
He wrinkled hisnose and made a disapproving sound. “Reality shows are what’s wrong withAmerica.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,Mr. Judgmental. Let’s not throw insults around like they’re candy.”
His lips twitched.“I’m afraid to ask which shows you like.”
“Real Housewives.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Have you everwatched an episode?”
“Not an entireepisode but I’ve seen—”
