I turn off the shower, instantly registering the sound of Ezra’s voice. That means his mom and brother have arrived. Releasing my dry hair from a claw clip, I give it a shake. Quickly, I run my fingers through it, then apply a little bronzer and mascara. My cheeks are still flushed from my wake-up call, so I skip the blush.
“Millie, my love,” Dawn calls when I emerge from the bedroom. “How are you?”
I eagerly accept her embrace, letting her powdery rose scent soothe me.
We spoke two nights ago, yet I find myself filling her in on the everyday occurrences since then. Somewhere along the way, we bonded over unlikely animal friend videos. I send her one of a duck and a fox, and she sends me one of a squirrel and a deer. It’s our love language.
Over breakfast, she pummels me with questions about the show. Her enthusiasm is so contagious and intoxicating that I’m suddenly wildly invigorated to be back on stage, performing in front of a live audience.
“Oh, Kane. Go get that thing for Millie,” she instructs, abandoning the dishes at the sink.
When he returns, he places a small black velvet box in my palm.
“Bro, you better not be proposing to my girlfriend.” Ezra shoves him with brotherly affection.
“Dude.” He pushes back. “I’m gay, remember?”
We’re all still chuckling as I open the box and discover a necklace with a gold star pendant nestled between two small diamonds. “It’s beautiful,” I gasp.
“Tell her what it means,” Dawn stage-whispers to Kane.
He clears his throat. “Oh, uh, sure. The star is you?—”
“Because you’re a star.” Dawn clasps her hands over her chest, her face alive with delight.
“And the diamonds on the side represent me and Ezra.”
My breath hitches and my heart pangs in the sweetest way. Despite my best efforts to remain stoic, tears prick the corners of my eyes.
“It’s perfect. Thank you. I love it.” Stepping forward, I tug Kane down for a hug. “I love you,” I tell him, tossing a wink to Ezra over his brother’s shoulder.
He squeezes me in return. “I love you too, Mills.”
Ezra rubs at his beard, the crease between his eyebrows deepening, making me wonder if he’s heard those words from him yet.
I hug Dawn next, and she’s all too eager to latch the necklace.
“Way to make me look bad,” Ezra teases, clasping Kane’s shoulders from behind.
“You’ve gotta up your game, old man,” he volleys back.
“Old man, huh?” Ezra quirks a brow. “You better sleep with one eye open, punk.”
“Enough, you two,” Dawn scolds, her face still lit with joy. “Will you kids be fine if I head out, or do you need supervision?”
I frown at her. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes, sweetheart. I’ll say my ‘see you later’ now and give you all some privacy.”
Tearful hugs are exchanged—again—and then Dawn is off, headed for the train back to Brooklyn.
We’re so lost in soaking in our time together that when I look at the clock, my heart lurches. “Shit. I’ve gotta go.”
Kane wanders into the kitchen while Ezra watches me frantically throw toiletries into my bag. When I’m done, he hands me a motion sickness band and an external charger wrapped in a bow. “It’s not diamonds.” He gives me a tentative smile. “But at least you won’t throw up and your phone will stay charged.”
“Ha ha.” I give him a mock glare. He’ll never let me forget the time I showed up at JFK with a dead phone battery. “I love it. You’re so thoughtful.” Chest aching, I pinch the star at my collarbone. “Your family is lovely.”
“They’re your family, too, you know. You told me you love me, so now you’re stuck with me.” He kisses me on the lips.
