I didn’t look for the tea. I left the pantry and went to make the French pressed coffee Hale drank every morning. This was even more uncomfortable than last night’s marathon sex. Only this time I couldn’t hide in my room with a pillow over my head.
“Never again you shit. I’d heard you were a dick, but I didn’t believe it, so I thought I would give you a chance.”
“I’d heard you were fucking crazy and should’ve listened to the fellow that told me.”
She spouted off a string of curse words then the door slammed behind her. I jumped, hoping she was gone, although I’d soon face Hale and the mood he was in made me nervous and frightened. All the discussing I’d planned didn’t seem like a good idea.
“I’ll be outside. Bring my breakfast. I already have the paper.”
When Hale said it, it gave me a start. I glanced over my shoulder to see him leaving, our talk now postponed. I didn’t have the nerve to confront him. Not with him like this.
Chapter Eight
He didn’t speak or look up from his paper. It went a long way to achieving his goal of pissing me off again. I’d gotten nervous listening to Hale abuse India and now I was disgusted with his behavior.
When he finally left for his meeting he said “I’m leaving” and then closed the door. That was it. No explanation. No apology for the sex-fest I’d heard. It was as if I wasn’t even there.
I tried to fill my time cleaning the place without allowing my thoughts to drift in the direction of what he’d done. In that, I admit, I failed. I yanked off his sheets like I was tearing out hair, calling him a bastard while I made it.
Once that was done I decided to get dressed in the clothes I’d brought with me. It was time to see the city, minus Hale bearing down on me, wanting to control my movements. There wasn’t any reason for me to wait on a call or an order from him in person. I had the phone and would keep it on me. Rifling through my bag I found my blue jean shorts, a tank top and my boots. I took a moment to pull my hair up, then I grabbed momma’s purse. I was dressed for the streets of Moulton, Alabama and not the busiest city on earth. Oh well, I was comfortable. It was New York City on my terms. I didn’t care at the moment if he knew or not and I did not need his permission. At least he never said I did.
Glowing with pride I stepped through the door before my mission was suddenly stopped. Ezra slid from the elevator. Why was he back? Again!
“Good, you’re dressed. I was coming to get you. Does lunch sound good? It’s on me.”
What?
“Hale won’t be home until tonight. He’s kinda, somewhat busy.” Ezra added this when I didn’t move or speak, because I guess he felt he had to.
“I’m not hungry. I was going to roam.” Spending the day with Ezra wasn’t what I’d planned. He reported to Hale whatever we did and I’m sure the things I said. Really, I had no earthly idea what he did or why he was here.
“Then we can roam together. You’ll eventually get hungry and the street vendors here are my personal friends by name. I know the best by the color of their carts. Remember Sammy Jo, I’m from a small town, and our backgrounds are pretty similar. Working parents, low income, etc. I’m basic, just like you. Had dreams and I achieved them. The face of success isn’t always wealth. You can be yourself and keep your soul, because the world has places for that. It isn’t always mean and suspicious. Looking to kill and eat you.”
I wanted to eat without the speech. And if he knew the best it would be like a movie, where the characters ate in the streets. It sounded silly, but I dreamed about that.
“It’ll be boring Ezra. You know it like the back of your hand. I need to find it for myself.” I argued, though I actually wanted, a map to where the vendors were.
“Please, let me decide that. If I get bored I’ll recommend where to go and leave you as you wish.”
That wasn’t a bad idea. “I’m walking,” I said, “not going in a car like Hale made me do.”
“Good,” was his reply. “The city is seen from the end of the nose and with every step we’ll take.”
Profound, and I was stuck. There was no getting out of this. I liked Ezra more and more. He had a way about him that was hard to ignore. He was a playful little boy under all that toughness. Determined, but really fun.
“Okay,” I agreed, tugged my purse on my shoulder and headed to the elevator. He held the door open for me.
“I like your clothes,” he said as they closed.
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.