Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 186(@200wpm)___ 149(@250wpm)___ 124(@300wpm)
I round the corner, glass of wine in hand, having only taken a sip, and stop at the doorway. My other hand that’s unoccupied reaches for the table inside the room. Ezra is sitting on the end of the bed, head dipped, elbows on his knees until he notices me. Two matching gray eyes sweep my body from head to toe. He is dressed down substantially. Gone is the immaculate three-piece suit, and in its place is a man in a cotton tee, jeans, and nothing else.
“Ezra.” My eyes go to the nightstand on the side where I usually sleep, though we both land in the middle, a tangle of limbs most nights. There’s a bottle of lotion that I use, a smaller plant, a book from one of my favorite authors, and my favorite lip palm.
“There’s more. You’ve got a place in the closet and bathroom. This is only the beginning, I promise.” He stands up and walks toward me. “Walk with me.” He takes my wine out of my hand and places it on the table. I’d grumble if it weren’t for the fact he’s stunned me speechless. Where Ezra leads, I follow, first to the bathroom, where he shocks me yet again. Everything I use on a daily basis is in the shower right alongside his. A vanity drawer is much the same. And when he takes me in the closet, where there’s built-ins that are amazing, I also now have a space for my clothes to hang as well as two empty drawers.
“Ezra.” Tears form in my eyes. I blink them away as fast as they come, not wanting to ruin this moment.
“Don’t cry, sunshine.” His hand cups my neck, thumb sweeping over my jawline.
“I’m not sure it works that way.” I laugh. He chuckles. The tears subside. My heart is fuller than it’s ever been. Everything feels like it’s falling into place, and while I was reluctant to let Ezra help me, when I finally let him in and he let me see the depth of him, it was only that much better.
FIFTEEN
Ezra
“How’d the meeting go?” We’re lying in bed, Millie’s shoes kicked off, glass of wine empty, my own drink gone right along with her. Now I’ve got her head in the crook of my shoulder, my fingers playing with the ends of her hair. I love that she has it down in waves. Usually, it’s up in a bun, except for the early mornings or late nights.
“Really well. Perry said the business plan was perfect. He’s been managing my money since the early days, has known about my idea to either buy Books and Brews or to do something even riskier and starting my own. That idea gives me hives. I mean, I’ve already a good rapport with all the vendors I’ve worked with. It would just be more of a gamble to establish my own place.” Her hand slides to mine that’s on my chest, tracing the vein of each fingertip before starting over again.
“Bonnie and Chad would be stupid not to take your offer and run. They don’t seem to be very hands-on as it is. Plus, I know you do more than your share to a place that pays you a manager’s salary when it should be double, if not more.” I’m not trying to start a fight. I only want Millicent to know she’s worth so much more than what they’re paying her.
“That’s what Perry said as well. Hopefully, by the end of the week, the loan will be approved, and then we can present it to them.” There’s worry in Millie’s tone, one that wasn’t there moments ago.
“What has you worried, sunshine?” She sits up, going to an elbow, looking at me from above. Millicent is fucking beautiful, and to think I almost lost it all. Fuck, I still could. There are a few other things I’m working through. It’s not an overnight change; it can’t be. Not when I’ve been wired like this for nearly my whole life.
“Bonnie, Chad, Scott, the espresso machine… even though it’s fixed. None of them returned my calls, texts, or emails. What if they don’t respond to Perry with my offer?”
“I know you don’t need my help. I’m going to offer it to you anyways. It’s there in whatever capacity you need.” I take a breath, trying to get the lay of the land on what she’s feeling. When she nods, I keep going. “Parker and I have a guy. He can do some research, figure out what’s going on and go from there.” Personally, I’ll probably do it anyways. This has all kinds of flags waving in the air.
“It’s not that I don’t need or want your help, Ezra. I do, just not in a monetary sense,” Millie admits.
“You think Four Brothers would be where it is today without outside help? Parker and I had to swallow our pride because we didn’t bring near as much to the table. Theo and Boston had the money. We had the drive. It worked in our favor. It sucked, I won’t even lie to you, feeling like you owed someone money even if those two didn’t think that way at all. But, sunshine, if shit doesn’t go your way with Books and Brews, you’ve got to start somewhere. You’ve got me any way you need me—money, sounding board, to paint the damn walls, I’ll be here.”