“You know I’d stay back for you.”
“I know you would, but I promise I’ll be fine. I need to do this on my own.”
30
Ezra
I’VE ALLOWEDMillie to give Kane and me as much “time to adjust” as I can stand. I’m no idiot. She’s using this as an excuse to avoid me.
What I can’t figure out is why she’s doing it. Cam gave me a little peace of mind when he reminded me that Joey grew distant and pushed back when their relationship got intense.
Is that what Millie is doing? Is she afraid of commitment?
I’m about to find out.
After Kane takes off for summer school, I walk the few blocks to Millie’s. I’ve never been inside, but I finagled her apartment number out of Joey by telling her it was the least she could do after she used me to make Cam jealous the night we met.
I slip in behind a resident, bypassing the call box outside her building. As I knock on her door, two elderly women pop their heads out from the apartment next door.
“May we help you?”
I look over my shoulder to confirm they’re talking to me. “I don’t think so, but thank you.”
“Are you here to see our Millie?”
TheirMillie?
“Yes,” I respond as a wave of trepidation rolls through me.
The smaller woman scans me from head to toe. The intensity in her demeanor instantly tells me I should be scared of her, even though she’s half my height.
“What are your intentions with our girl?” She asks the question at the same time the door in front of me flies open.
“Ezra.” Millie’s wearing an emerald satin robe, her exquisite cleavage on full display.
I’m pretty sure my tongue lolls out of my mouth at the view.
With a scowl, she pulls the robe around her tighter, hiding all that gorgeous skin. “What are you doing here?”
“Apparently getting the third degree.” I nod to my right.
“Peg, Fran,” Millie scolds. “What are you up to?”
“Don’t mind us. We’re just checking out the new guy.”
The new guy, huh? Stepping forward, I extend my arm and turn on the charm. “I’m Ezra. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
The smaller one shakes my hand first. “I’m Peg, and this here’s my wife, Fran.”
“Do you plan to be around long?” Fran asks, eyes narrowed.
“For as long as she’ll have me.” I don’t know whether she wants to know how long I’m stayingtoday, or how longin general, but either way, the answer is the same.
The women’s faces light up with glee, so I must have passed some sort of test.
“We good here?” Millie asks, leaning against the doorframe.
“We just need samples. Urine and blood will do. Then you two can be on your way,” Peg says.
