“No,” was all he said.
He had his reasons for being quiet. And just because he’d shown me a good time didn’t mean his secrets were mine. I wanted to know more about Ezra. My curiosity was subject to fancy. My imagination got the best of me.
“I worked at a bakery with my mom, until Hale came in one day.” I told him because I wanted to share my life. The connection was important to me.
“Do you miss it?” His stare came back and was riveted.
“I miss my family and friends, not Moulton. Coming here was a much better choice.”
“And is this world what you thought it would be?”
I thought about that question. Was it? Yes and no. “Not completely. But I’ve only just begun.”
He appeared thoughtful and reserved. “New York City isn’t your final destination?”
I shook my head. “No it’s not. It’s the beginning of a very long trip.”
“Don’t let your desire to see it all make you loose sight of what’s best.”
What exactly did he mean by that?
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
He turned his baby blue gaze to the city. “Don’t simply settle for what you think can fulfill the dream you have. Some roads to a dream, or through it, can actually be paths to a nightmare.”
Again he was warning me. But why and from what? Did he worry about me with Hale?
“I don’t want more from Hale than a job.” I blurted it like a confession.
“Yes, but Hale wants you. He’ll want more and more each day.”
I finished my wine, let the warmth relax my body and then Ezra filled it again. I drank my second glass while I watched him get the order from the takeout guy in the hallway. He then grabbed a couple of plates. He was comfortable here as if he knew the place well. Ezra did more than I realized.
The mystery around him seemed less important after my second glass. When he filled it again the mystery of wine was the best idea to muse on. I’d have to investigate it further.
Chapter Ten
Ezra had been correct. The Chinese food was delicious. The best I’d ever eaten. Being this close to that particular restaurant was a major perk for me. I’d be ordering again for sure.
He spent the meal telling stories from his past. I laughed for an hour and a half. They weren’t detailed nor did they give me any insight into what he actually did. But they showed me who he was as a person. He wasn’t from wealth like Hale. That much I’d gotten from the tales. I also didn’t think he respected Hale. Or if he did he didn’t show it.
The buzz from the wine relaxed me and I enjoyed my dinner immensely. Just as much as Ezra’s company. When he laughed his eyes lit up. There was a beauty in the flash that I wanted to admit before I blurted it out. I didn’t think he was starving for complements, or sponging attention from others, but he was, and he was pretty. Although I didn’t want him to think I was flirting. I didn’t know what to do.
“Another glass?” he asked, standing up from the table.
I shook my head no. I was tipsy. Strike that, I was drunk. “No thank you. I’ve had my fill.”
He nodded and glanced at the time on his phone. “I need to be going. I’ll clean this up first.”
I quickly stood to help him. “You can go ahead and go. I’ve got this. Really I do.”
He paused and his eyes locked mine. “You’re not my fucking house cleaner sweetheart. This was my idea. My job.” His smile was the size of a planet. I began hyperventilating. I wasn’t going to argue with him. “At least let me help a touch. I need to contribute something.”
“You’ve contributed yourself. I enjoyed the day and the evening more than anything I’ve done in years. This has been peace for me.”
My cheeks flushed and I wanted to tell Mr. Ezra about his magical smile, how he made me feel, but I feared the wine was talking and my clothes may land on the floor. That didn’t seem like the end of the world. The idea was growing on me. I picked up my plate and an empty box then followed him inside the apartment.
“Hale will be home within the next thirty minutes. As much as I like your clothes I think you’d better change into that ridiculous shit he bought for you to wear.”