Kane and I lean in, elbows on the counter and ears turned his way.
“Would you rather go to school naked every day or have your most embarrassing moment go viral on social media?”
“Naked every day,” I reply instantly.
“Really? Why?” Ezra asks.
“Because videos on the internet live forever.”
“Yeah,” Kane says, “but everyone has a camera phone, so if you showed up naked to school,thatwould also go viral.”
“Mmm,” I hum. “Good point.”
“Both options suck.” He roughs a hand through his messy blond hair. “I guess it would depend on what your most embarrassing moment is.”
“True.” I shrug. “What would you pick, Ezra?”
“Go to school naked. Let that shit go viral.”
We all cackle at his response.
When we finally sit down to eat, Ezra and I watch Kane, waiting for his reaction to the soup that cures everything. My grandparents and parents always made matzo ball soup when either Asher or I was sick. I don’t know what kind of voodoo Jew-doo magic is in it, but it works every time.
Though Kane refers to the matzo balls as “squishy bread testicles,” he declares it delicious.
Ezra sits back, sighing in relief, and we all dig in. While we eat, Kane shares a few stories about his mom, and in turn, Ezra and I share about our own childhoods. We play a few more rounds of would you rather, then I offer to clean the kitchen.
“Thanks, Millie,” Kane says as he hugs me goodbye.
“What for?”
His lips tip up in a sheepish smile. “We just met, and you already make me feel like I’m a part of the family.”
Ezra’s hand flexes against my hip.
Stunned, and with my heart lodged in my throat, I can only stare at him.
“That’s becauseyou arefamily,” Ezra answers for me.
“Tonight went really well.” I roll to face Ezra, barely making out his features in the dark.
As soon as the kitchen was cleaned, I changed into my amazing period panties and collapsed into bed.
“It did,” he says. “Thank you for being so great with my brother.”
“You’re welcome. He’s a great kid.”
“Yeah, he really is. How are you feeling?”
My answer is a moan, and not the sexy kind.
“That good, huh?”
“I’m fine.” I wave a hand lazily. “I get really heavy periods. I’m sure that’s not what you want to hear while you share a bed with me, especially after this morning, but I promise I’m not naked under here.” I laugh nervously.
“I figured. Have your periods always been bad? Sorry if that’s too personal.”
“No, it’s okay.” I shift under the covers, searching for a more comfortable position. “They’ve always been pretty awful, but they’ve gotten a lot worse lately.”
