I take in Mira’s words. Maybe that is the key. I’m so caught up in trying to read between the lines of everything he says, maybe I should just trust my gut.
“Your gut got you married and pregnant after only a few months of knowing the man.”The voice in my head points out.
Therein lies the problem. I can’t trust my gut around Nico. Clearly, the bitch doesn’t work.
We spent a few more minutes in the store before finally giving up. Mira was right, all these dresses were too basic for my night. I still wasn’t ready to relent and use Nico’s resources for a dress yet. We were headed to the food court when I heard my name called.
Turning around, I find Ezra with a bright smile and a bag in his hands.
“How’s it going?” he says as he approaches. Today he was in a gray button-up that was unbuttoned and the sleeves pushed up, a white T-shirt underneath, and black jeans with casual tennis shoes. He looked…. nice.
“Good. I see you’ve been shopping.” I point to the Saks Fifth Avenue and Rolex bags.
“I had to pick up a new pair of dress shoes, and well, I couldn’t pass up a chance to get a new watch.” He grins. “What brings you out to the mall?”
Mira and I had been here for two hours, and all we had to show for it was an Auntie Anne’s bag and some Boba tea.
“I was dress shopping.”
“Oh? You got a big event coming up?”
He crosses his arms over his chest and, for the first time, I notice a tattoo on his forearm. It’s a thin-line tattoo of two triangles, and inside the triangles is a mountain scape.
“I’m a finalist for a design award for my work with North River.”
“Seriously?” He drops his arms and smiles brightly. “That’s incredible. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
He looks at my empty hands before looking back at me. “You didn’t find a dress?”
I shake my head. “No. No luck yet.”
“I’m sure you’ll find something beautiful. Although I imagine everything looks good on you.”
My face heats and I tuck my hair behind my ear. If I had Ezra’s complexion, I’d be as red as a tomato. He stares at me for a moment, charging the air with energy that feels heady. The pause goes on so long that Mira clears her throat, gaining our attention.
“Hi, I’m Mira.”
Ezra chuckles, holding out a hand toward her. “Ezra Blackwell, nice to meet you.”
As soon as the greeting is out of his mouth, his eyes are back on me. It isn’t until Noah babbles that he looks away. His blue eyes go to the stroller where my son is grabbing at the toys attached to the front of the carrier.
“Is this your son?” He looks back at me with a grin.
“Yes, this is Noah.”
Ezra squats down, getting eye to eye with my baby. Noah stops trying to get his toy in his mouth and stares back at Ezra.
“Hey, little man. How are you?”
Noah looks at Ezra and then up at me as if he’s wondering if it’s okay to speak to a stranger. I smile and nod. My son looks back at Ezra and babbles something incoherently with a frown before going back to his toy. I shake my head. Clearly, Noah is his father’s child.
Ezra stands to his feet. “You have a cute kid.”
“Thanks.”
“Well, I’ll let you ladies finish your shopping. Tiffany, it was really nice seeing you again.” He winks at me before walking away with a casual stroll.
