I felt his gaze and it made my skin warm. Tingly, but not like the cold. It was as if I were a view that Ezra was taking in. Hale had never done me like that. It was always me who took him in, while he seemed to remain aloof, like some other thing needed doing. They were wildly different men.
“What do you do for Hale?” I asked, turning to meet his stare, which was still fixed on my body. Hale’s world wasn’t here anymore. Not until I brought it back in.
“I don’t actually work for Hale.” His eyes left my frame. Returned to the elevator doors.
“That’s not an answer Ezra.” I said it matter of fact, without realizing I’d barked it.
“No, I guess it isn’t.” After he agreed the doors split open and he said “after you.”
“So if he finds out we spent the afternoon together he won’t fire you or even get angry?”
Ezra chuckled. “No.”
He didn’t give me a definite answer, but the warmth of the breeze met my face. The sound of the city was there. I decided I’d let it go. I would enjoy what I had, including Ezra’s company, so I changed my attitude.
“Which way?” I glanced from left to right.
“Um, Ezra, I don’t know.” I honestly had no idea. “Which way is the best food vendor?” I hoped he didn’t hear my stomach growl.
He pointed left. “Thought you weren’t hungry?”
I shrugged. “Might’ve lied.”
Ezra appeared amused. Hale would’ve been angry or annoyed. Their differences were stacking up daily. And why was I even measuring these men against each other in the first place? After what Hale did last night any chance for us was gone. I would work for him. That was all.
Then, of course, whatever their agreement, Ezra might be unavailable. What I needed were friends outside their world. A life when I wasn’t working. I was ready for Hale to leave. His monthly visit had been long enough.
“What’ve you seen of the city so far?”
“Hale took me to Times Square and then we went shopping.” That, I didn’t want to repeat.
“Then let’s go get you the best tamales you’ve ever had in your mouth. Then I’ll show you a slice of the city.”
I’d never had tamales. It sounded really exciting. Better than the hotdog I’d envisioned.
“Sounds like the perfect plan. What places are you going to show me?”
Finally, I was getting to see it. And with someone who knew it on foot.
“Well, you’re a newbie, so I figured we’d begin with a ferry ride on the boat to Ellis Island. Go and see the Statue of Liberty. Might take up our entire afternoon, but we can always do this again. New York can take a year to cover the museums and the haunts of the tourists and the locals. Then you’d still lack hundreds.”
I wanted to clap with glee like a five year old with ice cream. That was exactly what I wanted to do. Hugging Ezra seemed a tad too aggressive, but I almost did it anyway.
“Thank you,” I said instead. Settling for a more acceptable means to demonstrate my bubbling joy.
“Don’t thank me yet Sammy Jo. Getting on the ferry is a pain in the ass, but it’s worth it in the long run.”
I had no doubt that it was.
Chapter Nine
He was wrong. Everything was perfect. Nothing was a pain in the ass. I soon realized I could act really silly and Ezra thought it was hilarious. Seeing the things I’d only read about made the little girl inside me giggle. I couldn’t take enough photos, read enough monuments or ask more stupid questions. Ezra patiently answered them all. For the sake of my sisters I was like a tourist guide who could spout any detail desired. I did not miss a thing.
By the time we got back to the penthouse it was after six and I was nervous. Hale hadn’t called me all day. I was worried that my being gone like this was going to make him angry. He’d never been angry with me before, but I’d now seen his ugly side and I didn’t want to turn it on me.
“Hale may be back,” I said. We were walking toward the entrance. I should’ve been thanking Ezra for the day or a host of things. But my focus was on Hale coming back. My perfect day was about to be marred by Hale shutting it down.
“He isn’t.”