Sara didn’t knowwhat to think of Ezreal Wallach. He was certainly not what she’d have expected from a spoiled, rich billionaire. Weren’t they always selfish and thoughtless? He struck her more like an average middle-class guy. Was that what he’d started out as? It was a novel idea that this man had been so successful in his business but not ruined by the money.
Had he come from a rich family? If he had, it hadn’t saved him from his stuttering. That didn’t bode well for her son since she couldn’t afford the same resources.
Were Ezreal’s partners like him, or did they fit the rich guy stereotype? She’d met Rafe a few times. Considering who his mother was, and how close they were, Sara didn’t find it a surprise that he was such a solid guy and not much twisted by his change in fortune. From what Francie had said about her own situation, they’d been really poor when Rafe was growing up. Maybe the money was still too new to REKD partners.
It made Sara wonder what she’d be like if a fortune suddenly landed in her lap. Would she go on a crazy spending spree and buy everything she’d ever wanted but couldn’t afford? She didn’t think so, but whatwouldshe do with it? Pay to fix up the music room. But, however much she might want to do that so the lessons could start this fall, it would depend on if Ezreal agreed with her stipulation.
His mouth worked like he meant to say something but kept changing his mind about what to say. Or maybe who to say it to. But she wasn’t going to feel sorry for him; she wouldn’t budge. He might not be anything like she’d expected, but he was still a man.
Then his entire expression lit up. Her neck muscles tightened. What would he ask in exchange for fixing up the room? If he tried to pull anything, she’d kick him out and then she’d let Francie know just what Sara thought of Mr. Ezreal Wallach.
“C-can you s-s-s-sew?”
Sara blinked. She might not have known what to expect, but that was definitely not it. It took her a few seconds to register the words.
“I’m sorry. What are you asking?”
“He asked if you can sew.” Janna jumped in excitement. “She’s really good at it. She’s making us all costumes for Rafe’s big party at his work.”
“You’re going to the Midsummer’s Eve cosplay?” Ezreal asked her daughter.
“Yes,” Sara said. “Lessa got Janna all excited with stories about it being like a giant carnival with face painting and fun food. I have to figure out how to get a sword for Brand that will be strong enough to hold up to a three-year-old’s enthusiasm without being hard enough to hurt anyone he hits with it. With his still-developing hand/eye coordination, he’s likely to hit someone he doesn’t mean to.”
“Nik,” Ezreal said, grinning.
“And Janna. He gets frustrated when she plays Miss Bossy Pants sometimes.”
“No.Not Janna.” Ezreal winked at her daughter. “She’s smart and knows that a bossy big sister would only drive her brother to do things that will make her crazy.”
“You sound like you speak from experience,” Sara said.
He nodded, pulling a face as he held up two fingers.
She couldn’t help laughing.
“What’s funny?” Janna asked.
“Ezreal had two older bossy pants sisters when he was growing up.”
“Istillhave two bossy pants sisters,” he said to Janna. “And two bossy pants brothers.”
“And they all boss you around?”
“They try.” He shot her daughter a sly grin.
Sara chuckled again, wondering how mischievous he’d been as a little boy. With his handsome, angelic face, he must have been one of those sneaky, unexpected troublemakers. That was Brand already. It was like he knew adults thought he was sweet and cute and never suspected him of doing anything naughty. Whenever something happened with the two little boys over at the Diederiks’, Sara could almost count on it having been her son’s idea.
“What do you need?” she asked.
“A c-c-c-c—” Ezreal heaved out a breath and looked at Janna. “I need a costume too.”
His speech when he was talking to the children was almost perfect. Why was it an issue when he spoke to her? She tried to remember if he’d said anything to Ahri. Or Francie. Sara couldn’t remember. If he hadn’t, did that mean he avoided speaking to them or had it just been a coincidence? She’d have to pay attention when he was around the other women. The idea that Sara caused him to stutter made her uncomfortable.
“I’m a decent seamstress. I even had an online shop before we moved here, but I had to close it down.”
“Janna, ask your mother if she could make me a costume from a picture. I don’t have a pattern. I’d pay for everything, especially her time.”
“What he said.” Janna rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you just tell her yourself?”
