“Yes, I was referred to you by Mr. Jaylen Reid. He said you were in need of a housekeeper.”
Roman shook his head with a bemused smile. Was this the man Jay said would be perfect for him? Or was this his best friend’s not-so-subtle way of telling him he was a slob?
“I’m not looking for a housekeeper,” Roman said honestly.
“Oh.” The man’s hopeful expression shuttered, which bothered Roman more than he cared to admit. He didn’t want the young man to suffer for Jay’s shenanigans. He could at least offer him a drink for his trouble and, if he was being honest, he was curious to know more about this handsome housekeeper, if only to use it as ammunition against his friend later.
“Why don’t you come inside for a minute?” Roman suggested. “I just made coffee.”
“Oh, well, I don’t really care for coffee, sir.”
“How about a glass of water then?”
The man chewed on that for a bit before saying, “Water would be fine.”
Roman moved back to invite him in, and Ezra stepped tentatively inside, careful to wipe his smart leather shoes on the doormat. He was a slight man, much smaller than Roman’s 6’3” height, but he carried himself proudly, with his back straight and chest lifted. Ezra surveyed the house, not so subtly. The place was a bit of a disaster with books and catalogs piled everywhere, along with whatever clutter and detritus had accumulated over the past few months. The historic townhouse was spacious, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms, but not so large that Roman couldn’t have cleaned up after himself.
“I haven’t been home much lately,” Roman said.
“Mr. Reid told me you work long hours. That you’re in the restaurant business?”
“That’s right.” Roman wondered if the man had ever dined in one of his establishments, if their paths might have crossed before unknowingly. Surely, Roman would have given him a second glance and maybe even a third, though perhaps not. Roman’s initial impression was that Ezra was fairly unassuming with a kind of quiet intensity that he might have overlooked at first. He could imagine him with his head in a book or else staring dreamily out the window, on the fringes of whatever excitement might be happening.
“Do you know my restaurants?” Roman asked.
Ezra’s brow furrowed. “No, sir. I conducted only the very preliminary research. But I know that you were once a professional athlete, employed by the Saints football franchise, as was Mr. Reid.”
Roman marveled at his manner of speaking, which was a little bit formal and very direct. There was also some undefined quality about him that spoke to Roman’s desire to protect. It left him rather befuddled, which was unusual, since he was used to being the one to take charge in any given situation.
Roman led Ezra to the large, open kitchen where his coffee had been steeping before his arrival. Roman poured himself a cup, then set a glass of filtered water in front of Ezra. The man sipped at it delicately, as if trying not to be rude.
“This is very good water,” Ezra said with a shy smile. Roman thought he might be making a joke, but if so, his delivery was very dry.
“So, Ezra, how do you know Jay?”
“I’m Mr. Reid’s house cleaner.”
“Really?” Jay hadn’t told him he’d hired a house cleaner, and a cute one at that.
“Yes, I’m working on my degree in computer science at Loyola University and needed some extra money. My mother is a house cleaner and through her instruction, I picked up the trade as well. I started advertising my services last semester, which is how I met Mr. Reid. He recently told me that you needed someone full-time and suggested we might be able to make an arrangement.”
“And what arrangement is that?” Roman asked, utterly charmed by the young man, which helped to diminish his irritation at his best friend’s scheming.
“I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t budget my savings very well, and I’ve run out of money. I could ask my mother for financial assistance, but this is her time for Caribbean cruises and steak dinners. Thankfully, my scholarship covers my tuition and books, but housing remains a problem, especially in the city. Mr. Reid thought you might offer me room and board in exchange for tidying up.” Ezra peered around again, no doubt noticing the chaos that dominated Roman’s home. “He told me he would mention it to you, but it seems he forgot. I would have called first, but I didn’t have your number.”
Roman knew exactly why that was. Because if he’d received the call, he would have refused Ezra’s offer flat-out, but now that the man was here, Roman could admit that there was a certain earnest appeal about him. But if employment was what Ezra needed, there were always open positions at his restaurants without the messiness of cohabitation.
“You know, I think maybe Jay did mention you after all, but I thought he’d meant a job at one of my restaurants. Have you ever worked in food service before?”
“No, sir.” Ezra’s eyes widened as if the thought of it terrified him.
“Does the idea make you uncomfortable?”
“I don’t think I’d do very well with customers. I can only focus on one thing at a time. And I find a lot of people all at once to be very distressing.”
“I see.” Roman appreciated that the man knew his own limitations and was willing to be honest about them. If only his employees were so forthcoming. “If multi-tasking is hard for you, then I don’t think the food industry would suit you.” Ezra’s gaze dropped like he was ashamed and Roman felt bad because he hadn’t meant to insult him. “Are you very good at cleaning houses?”
“Oh, yes.” Ezra set his leather satchel on the countertop and pulled out a three-ring binder. From there he withdrew his references and résumé as well as two photographs, which he laid side-by-side. Roman recognized the interior of the home immediately. It was Jay’s house, and judging from the decorations, it had been taken earlier that year after his last Super Bowl party. They’d left his place a disaster, worse than a frat house after a keg party. Roman had offered to help him clean up, but Jay had adamantly refused. The second photograph showed the interior looking absolutely pristine. Now that Roman thought about it, Jay’s place had been looking a lot nicer lately.
