17
Ezreal stood in front of the jewelry shop debating with himself. He’d made the decision to propose, but he couldn’t make up his mind if he should already have the ring. What if she didn’t like it? What if she were insulted that he’d presumed he knew what kind of ring she’d like.
What if she said no?
He shoved his hands into his pockets. Rafe had been looking at rings and talking about some grand gesture proposal. Ezreal thought he’d been inspired by how quickly Kayn had moved with Sona. Darius had firmly said he wasn’t looking to get serious.
Ezreal took a step toward the entrance but then stepped back. Maybe he and Sara should talk about it first. Maybe he should stop being a coward and just buy a ring. Heaving out a breath, he turned and found four people staring at him.
“Hey, Ez,” Rafe said, Ahri holding his hand.
Kayn was grinning, his arm around Sona.
“As serious as that?” Rafe asked.
Ezreal’s ears had gone hot. He was beginning to think that he ought to get one of those fake tans so his flushes wouldn’t show so badly since he seemed to be doing it so much lately.
“It’s all right, Ez,” Ahri said, softly pinning first her brother and then Rafe with a tight look. “None of us are going to razz you about it.”
“I don’t know,” he finally said.
“We’re picking out Kayn’s ring,” Sona said
“Are y-you—” He took a breath and imagined that he was talking to Sara. “Are you Korean too?”
“Well done.” Both men clapped him on the shoulder, while the women exchanged glances.
“No. I’m part Chinese.” Sona took his arm. “Come inside with us. You can look around to see if there’s anything you like.”
Ezreal let himself be pulled inside. Maybe he should ease into the discussion with Sara by sending her some flowers.
* * *
The first weekof school was always a little chaotic. Sara had also checked out a few preschools for Brand, and she’d found the experience exhausting. There were programs for children with special needs, but she wasn’t sure his situation warranted one of those.
She glanced over at the table and the bouquet of flowers Ezreal had sent her the day before. Sara had never dreamed a man could be so attentive. His daily texts, frequent enough to let her know he was thinking about her but not overdoing it, made her feel loved.
Once he has you completely taken in, he’ll show his true self.
Sara pushed the thought aside and jumped to her feet. Ezreal wasn’t like that. Hewaswhat he appeared, a kind, gentle, and loving man. It became easier to ignore the negative voice in her head. If only she could shut it up completely.
A new voice in the back of her mind joined in, reminding her she was hisfirst. He’d never be satisfied with just Sara. It was just a matter of time before he wanted to date around.
Growling at herself, she went to the door to check on the children where they ran in the sprinklers in the late August heat. Brand was trying to throw a Frisbee, but his timing was off. Should she wait another year before putting her son in preschool? Maybe her indecision and dread about that was why she was on edge about Ezreal. Would there ever be a time when she didn’t have something hanging over her? Couldn’t she just be happy?
Janna did something that set Brand screaming. With a sigh, Sara stepped outside and picked up the towels on the porch.
“All right, you two. Let’s get you inside and dried off. You’re getting cranky now.”
“Aw, ma,” her son whined.
“Aw, ma, nothing,” she said, wrapping a towel around him while handing the other to his sister. “You’re starting to sound like Nik.” Not that sounding like Francie’s little boy was a bad thing. Sara wondered how long it would take for her children to pick up a Southern accent. They already had a few words that were definitely accented.
“I’m cold, mama,” Janna said, her lips quivering. She was so thin that even on a day like this, it was hard to keep her warm once she got wet. “Can I take a hot bath?”
“Me too,” Brand cried.
Sara’s phone pinged with a text, and she pulled it from her pocket. It was from Ezreal.
