Page 198 of Ewan

My heart drops as my lips pull apart and my tray tilts to a dangerous angle, the carrots starting to slide.

Amused, the guest gestures at my tray, and I look down and put it on the counter.

Everything I feel right now gets crumpled and pushed back while I pretend to be unfazed.

His eyes explode with light while taking me in.

Incredulous, he turns to Ewan, who witnesses our verbal and nonverbal exchange in complete silence.

“Is that her?”

Her?

“Hi,” I say, stretching my hand out and walking around the counter. “I’m Scarlett. Scarlett Beauchamp. People call me Scarlet. And you?”

“I’m Ezra.”

He looks at Ewan, seeking his approval on something, his hand engulfing mine.

“She doesn’t know, does she?” he asks Ewan, who looks at both of us with a blank expression on his face as if saying, 'Let the chips fall where they may.’

“Know what?” I chirp, my hand still hostage.

Ezra shoots his eyes back to me.

“Ewan is my father.”

His hand tightens around mine as if he knows I need some help to remain standing.

My eyes shift to Ewan.

“I didn’t plan it to happen like this,” he says.

He probably didn’t plan it to happen at all.

“Isn’t she cute?” Ezra says, and I retrieve my hand from his.

“Ezra?” Ewan growls, and I gather that they have some understanding about how this is supposed to unfold.

Okay. Things are awkward for a few seconds before I get a grip.

“Is Ezra staying? Maybe we should eat in the dining room,” I say, looking at Ewan.

“Oh. I’d love to,” Ezra says. “I’m famished. It smells delicious.”

He walks past me and goes to the counter to check the food while Ewan’s eyes meet mine.

He’s more concerned with what I think than his son eating our dinner.

His son??

“Can you show me to the dining room?” I ask Ewan, and he quickly gets the drift and goes along with my plan to make this evening as smooth and pleasant as possible.

SCARLETT

“Did you wash your hands?”I ask as Ezra is about to slide into his seat.

A smile sprouts at the corners of his lips before he moves his eyes to his father.

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