Page 13 of Falling for Ezra Thomas
“Hey,” I say and grab his hand, pulling free from his embrace. “Stop acting like it’s the end of the world. Look at it like it’s the beginning of a future filled with possibility. You’re going to be just fine, and I’ll be here every step of the way.”
“Oh my gosh!” Mrs. Thomas screeches from the kitchen. “The engagement party! I have to reschedule everything!”
Ezra drops his head and shakes it. “Well, I guess possibility number one is helping her reschedule a party. You up for it?”
I shrug. “I mean, I am the maid of honor. It’s kind of my duty.”
A wide grin spreads across his face as he raises his head. “Maybe you’ll catch the bouquet this spring.”
I roll my eyes and swat him. “Oh, stop. What is with you Thomas men? Can wedatebefore you wife me up?”
He pulls me into his orbit again and kisses my cheek. “I’ll try.”
Chapter Eight
Ezra
Lorelai has never beenone to mince words, but this is the first time she’s beenherselfsince the kiss. The lost and longing expression is gone, and in its place is the brightest smile I’ve seen in a long time. This is the face I want to remember when my body is pushed to its limit. I want to see her in my mind when I’m lonely and need something to look forward to.
Sure, Vivien is my best friend. She always will be, but our relationship has changed since she and Beck got together. It’s in a good way, arightway, but it’s changed all the same. We still have that closeness, and the way we read each other like a book still exists, but now it’s different. It’s more in some ways since she’s about to be my sister, and less in others because now she shares so much more of her life with my twin.
But right now, none of that seems to matter while Lorelai is dragging me down the front porch stairs of my parents’ house.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask, knowing it doesn’t matter. I’ll go anywhere she wants.
“For a walk. Gotta get some sunshine and exercise, right?”
“Sunshine? It’s night. What sunshine?” I chuckle but follow her, anyway.
“Okay, fine. I wanted to cheer you up. Get you in the right frame of mind for what’s coming. Also, we need to buy stamps.”
“Stamps?”
She arches a dark eyebrow and grins. “Yes. You know, stickers you put on envelopes so the post office will magically transport letters to and from people?”
“I know what stamps are, sassy pants, but the post office is closed. Want to get some dessert? Talk about whatever this is between us that popped up out of nowhere?” I ask, testing the waters to see if she’s as amped up about this as I am. I remember once Vivien made fun of herself by comparing her situation with Beck to a horrible young adult romance novel complete with an enemies to lovers, best friend’s brother, insta-love trope line. I had no idea what any of it was at the time, but after a little education from my best friend, I have since learned all there is to know about romance novels.
And I’m pretty sure I’m about to repeat her story only with her sister and make it friends to lovers. It makes complete sense and no sense at the same time.
“Dessert? We haven’t even had a proper dinner with everything that’s happened in just a few hours, but I could be persuaded to skip all of that and sit on the back porch with you.”
“We won’t be alone there for long,” I admit, knowing my family won’t be able to stay away. It’s both a blessing and a curse.
“Well, I guess I’ll take you up on dessert then. Shall we break into your mother’s bakery and wreak havoc?” Lorelai’s eyes sparkle even brighter under the moonlight. There is no doubt in my mind that she’s doing this for my benefit. She and Vivien are exactly the same in that regard. I know Viv put on a little show when I told her about my joining the Army, but if there’s onething I can say about the Mays sisters, it’s that they are loyal and supportive. Okay, two things.
“I happen to have a key, so we won’t need to break in.” I grin and offer my arm. Might as well get this date started while we walk through Coldstone Creek. Lorelai obliges and snuggles up to me. I sigh and kiss the top of her head. “You know, sometimes I forget my father was married once before my mother.”
Lorelai looks up at me, perplexed. “What’s that got to do with anything right now?”
I hip check her and elicit a giggle before pulling her tight against me again with an arm around her shoulder. “Just that sometimes when you think life is going to be one way, God has a way of showing you the path He made for you in the most unexpected of ways. Sometimes we’re not ready for it, but if we surrender to the plan, then it all seems to work out. Dad met Mom and now they have ten kids. The bakery is still going strong with Aunt Tress, Uncle Dominic, and Miss Rose there too.”
“What are you getting at, Ez?”
I pause and turn to face her, dropping my arm so I can take her hand. “Just that even though this seems like it will be difficult, I think it’s all already worked out for us. I think my family is proof that trusting God with the details will work out in our favor.”
“Well,” she says, and releases me to slide her hands behind my neck. “It seems to have worked out for three of your brothers. What do you think about us?”
“I think I’m ready for it. I’m ready to long-distance date you, Lorelai Mays, and I have a really good feeling this story is going to be every bit as epic as theirs.”
