I wasn’t sure if I liked Thai or not, which meant I wanted to try it. I was lonely and spending the evening with Ezra sounded appealing to me.
“Sure, I’d like to eat Thai. I thought you’d be gone by now.” I wondered why Ezra was in town if Hale wasn’t in residence. He didn’t appear to be a city kind of guy.
“I left when he did. And I’ll leave in the morning. I came back for the Thai, my personal addiction, which keeps me away from others.”
The look on his face said something else. Like maybe he was back for me. The idea made my heart race. I tried not to read into it. We had only one day and the kiss. I wasn’t an expert at kissing, but it seemed like it was special.
“Okay, do I need to change?” I then walked to the door and pressed the code while waiting on his answer.
“You look perfect,” he replied. “I prefer your clothes, but this isn’t bad either, you make anything appear appealing.”
I was wearing one of the casual outfits Hale had purchased for me. My limited wardrobe felt out of place and I didn’t like looking unique. Especially while walking alone. Ezra’s comment felt nice. My skin became tingly and warm. I couldn’t keep from smiling at the man.
“Thank you. I’ll put this bag in my room and we can go.”
“Take your time. I’m in no rush.”
I was hungry from all the walking. The hotdog I’d eaten wasn’t enough. I needed more, but I didn’t tell him that. I didn’t want him to think I was ravenous, needed a trough or something.
“Where is it we’re going?” I asked when I came back into the room. I hadn’t taken the time to brush my hair or freshen up my face. I figured if I looked in the mirror I’d see a million little things I needed to fix and I was too hungry for that.
“It’s called Uncle Boons. Not a big tourist spot, which is always a win for me. Like I said the food is incredible. You can’t get Thai food as good as Uncle Boons anywhere else in the states. I’ve tried and failed and haven’t.”
Uncle Boons didn’t sound very Thai, but then how was I to know? I’d never eaten Thai in my life.
“Well, let’s go try this place out.”
“We’ll need to take a cab from here. Walking would take an hour.”
I hadn’t taken a cab in the city. Flagging down a cab sounded fun. “Okay, I’m good with that.”
“I don’t do the fancy chauffeured shit like Hale does with his vehicles.” It didn’t sound like an apology. It was a statement without regret.
“I want to experience a New York cab,” I honestly replied with excitement.
He chuckled at the comment. “God, you’re a breath of fresh air. Didn’t know I needed it until I walked into Hale’s and you opened that mouth of yours.”
My face flushed. I wanted to grin like an idiot because Ezra enjoyed my company as much as I did his. I really believed he’d come back to town just to see me in person. But I was afraid to think that thought. He could hurt me if I beamed it outward. No guy had ever had that kind of power over me. They’d all been from Moulton, Alabama. Sure, I’d been fooled by Hale and his wealth, but once I got to see him as he was, I realized he wasn’t what I thought. He appeared to be more at first. Then I’d gotten here and he’d changed. This should concern me about Ezra. He could change just as quick. What was it he really wanted? And when had I gotten so dang jaded? Apparently I was hardening.
“Are you ever going to tell me about you? Where you’re from, why you work with Hale? How about your last name?”
I was pushing but I needed some reassurance that he wouldn’t vanish forever. Then I could safely let my heart get silly, if I knew he was coming back.
He was quiet for a while and I was preparing myself for Ezra not to respond. Finally he turned and there was a seriousness in his eyes that struck me deep within. Like he was alone and lost and abandoned.
“I lived another life in the past. One that is dead to me now. Dead to me, and everyone that I knew. To protect you I can’t answer those questions. Matters can become what you don’t want. And become that way really quick.”
Chapter Twelve
That wasn’t the answer I’d expected. A dark and frightening response. Why would he need to protect me? Who was he? Who or what was Hale? I didn’t respond as my mind raced and we left to hail a cab, the elevator closing behind us.
Getting in the iconic yellow taxi wasn’t as exciting as it should’ve been. My thoughts weren’t on the experience. They were replaying Ezra’s words again and again in my head. How was his past life dead to him now? I didn’t understand what he meant. I knew asking more questions would be pointless, he wouldn’t respond if I did.
His hand slid over mine. I jumped, startled by the contact. “For tonight can you just forget about that? I leave in the morning and I’ve no idea when I’ll get back to the city.”
My chest ached when he spoke of leaving. I’d grown accustomed to having Ezra around. Being near him. Wanting to be with him. “Why do you have to go?” I asked, letting my emotions take hold, showing more than I should’ve permitted.
He sighed. “It’s my job. I’ve done it for a long, long time.”