Ezra's grin widens instantly. “All good things, I hope.”
I pull out another Twizzler, Ezra's eyes light up, and he is practically glowing at the idea of being praised.
“He said you're a flirt,” I say, biting the sweet clean in half. “Also, that you have terrible taste in music and women.”
Ezra gasps dramatically, putting his hand to his heart and acting like it was the worst insult I could give him. Elijah laughs behind me—deep, low, and annoyingly attractive—and I force myself not to react or look at him, which I’m learning is becoming harder the more I find myself around him. I’m not an idiot and can appreciate an attractive man.
I just wish he looked like a toad or something.
“Well, I can't havethatbad of a taste in women if I think you are absolutely stunning.”
He rakes his eyes over me shamelessly, eyebrows bouncing. I roll my eyes and smother the smile threatening my mouth. This man is smooth, and I can see why he has the reputation he does.
“I see why River said you're a terrible flirt. Do you get your pick-up lines off the back of Penguins?”
He plucks a Twizzler out of my bag before I can stop him. “They havejokeson the back of Penguins.”
“Same thing.”
Snorting, he bites into the sweet—and immediately grimaces like he's been poisoned. Without hesitation, he tosses it over his shoulder, and it lands in a woman's lap a few seats down. She startles, and he doesn't even glance back to see where it landed. I stare at him, completely dumbfounded, and an absolute waste of a Twizzler. Something about Ezra has me feeling lighter than I have in weeks. I don't know if it's his carefree attitude or how much I hope our conversation is grating on Elijah.
He brushes his hands against his jeans. “I have better taste in women than my brother; he's married to Cruella De Vil after all.”
A startled laugh tumbles out of me before I can stop it. The moment it slips free, Elijah's arm shoots across me and clips Ezra hard in the shoulder, almost making him topple over his chair.
“Don't be salty, old man; we will find you another woman.” Ezra jokes as I lean back into my seat, fingers twitching around the Twizzler packet. My eyes flick to Elijah, and he shoots his brother a quick finger before his gaze turns to me. Calm, steady, unreadable—but there's a slight smirk tugging at his lips, and I feel my cheeks heat slightly, and not because of the sun.
Another woman?
Last I checked, he's married to Rose, and River would have told me otherwise.
“And why, pray tell, would he need another woman when he has me?”
Oh great.
World, please swallow me whole.
The crowd noise swells, just as I see Rose standing in front of us. Still in those ridiculous heels, her eyes swoop over me, then linger on Ezra, who's now playing with my hair. The judgment in her eyes is clear as day
“Oh, I can think of a few reasons—first being you're a complete whore.”
Well, that's… bold. He just looks at her as if she's dirt on the bottom of his shoe. Instantly, I’m on his side of this verbal sparring match.
Anyone who hates her is in my good books.
Rose snaps her head towards Elijah. “Are you going to let him speak to me like that?” she shrieks, and I notice a few heads turn our way.
Elijah rests a hand on the back of my hair, lightly brushing against the ends of my hair. “Just. Sit. Down.”
Her nostrils flare, and I can feel the tension building— then the other team storms onto the field, chanting, and the noise of the crowd gets rowdier. He just shoots her a warning look, scary enough to make her freeze before she causes even more of a scene.
She huffs, strides over, and drops into the seat next to him. She peers over at me, voice syrupy and poisonous. “You really shouldn't eat those, sweetheart. Moment on the lips, forever on the hips.”
I squeeze the packet, ready to launch it at her, before I feel a slight tug on my hair. He actually pulled my hair, and the idea of throwing it at him instead is suddenly more appealing, and I grit my teeth.
“Appreciate the advice, Rose.” I let the sarcasm drip into my words.
Friends' reference or not, I have zero patience for her condescending bullshit.
