Page 15 of Falling for Ezra Thomas
“That maybe the path you thought you were supposed to take isn’t the right one, but now you’re so far down the road, you can’t turn around without serious consequences?”
I chuckle and she looks up at me. “Uh, yeah. I’d say I’ve felt that fairly recently.”
She smiles and resettles on my shoulder. “What if I don’t want to be a veterinarian anymore? What am I supposed to do if I discover that’s true?”
I can’t help but pull her tighter and kiss the top of her head. Like this, she feels like mine, and it’s a feeling I don’t think I can lose. I have ideas, plans I’d like to implement that would ensure she’d never have to worry about anything ever again, but I can’t swoop in and fix this for her with declarations and promises. She’s got to find her path again, pray, let the stress of the last few years go so she can look to the future with confidence once more.
So instead of making those promises she might not trust yet, rather than try to fix it all for her, I double down and support what Vivien suggested.
“I think Viv was right. You should go up to the cabin for a while. Not just for a few days. Take a week or two to relax and reconnect with God, maybe even read that giant pile of books you never touch on your nightstand.”
“You’re probably right, but it’s what happens after that that I’m worried about.”
“Don’t worry about after. Viv already said she’s got you covered, plus you have money saved. You have time to figure out the future. For right now, I want my girl to have a break.”
“Your girl?”
“Hey, I already told you, a guy has to be sure before going off for weeks at a time with minimal contact.” I can’t help that she makes me blush, but Lorelai Mays is the smartest, most beautiful woman a guy like me could ever hope to have in his life, and I don’t want to leave anything to chance. “Besides, I already wasted enough time being an idiot. I should have told you the truth sooner, and maybe we could have avoided all the drama.”
“I’ll agree with you on that,” she teases and bites the scone. “This is so good, even stale. Remember when we used to do this in high school?”
Ah, those were the days. Back when Rose would get so mad at us for leaving crumbs and dirty dishes behind. Once, she got so mad she made Uncle Dominic ban us from the bakery for awhole month. It was a sad, pastry free month that taught us a hard lesson.
“Yeah, I remember. And I want to make a lot more memories with you, okay? So chin up. We have some amazing things to look forward to.” I kiss her nose before digging into my muffin. Despite the pit in my stomach that fills with regret at the thought of leaving her, I believe what I said. I think we do have a lot to look forward to, and I almost can’t wait to leave so we can share those letters, grow closer, and solidify this connection that seems so effortless.
I think maybe we’ve both been fooling ourselves for a long time. Because there is no way these feelings for her appeared out of thin air. I think, all along, I had a thing for Lorelai Mays but I was too stupid and scared to admit it. I wish I had more time to spend with her so we could reach a more serious point in our relationship before disappearing for a few months. Serious enough I’d even consider marriage if it made her happy and took care of her. But it’s time I don’t have, so I focus on what Idohave.
Chapter Nine
Lorelai
Preparing for Vivien andBeck’s engagement party had been stressful enough the first go around, but bumping it up so Ezra could be present was a feat. Mrs. Thomas lost her composure more than once, but no one took offense. She was processing her emotions, and so were we.
But now, on the actual day of the party, it seems everyone is excited for the future. If not, they’re faking it well. I know I am. I mean, I’m excited that my sister is going to marry the man she loves, forever tying us to the Thomas clan, but on the other hand…Ezra is leaving far too soon.
Since all the brothers decided to stay in town until Ezra leaves, we have extra hands to set everything up. Everyone still questions Rafe and Luna’s breakup, especially since Luna will be at the party, but no one seems suspicious about Griffin. His girlfriend, Melody, didn’t come for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and he hasn’t said a word about her during his entire visit. Granted, their relationship of two years is significantly less thanRafe and Luna’s had been, and if you add to that the fact that no one particularly cares for Melody, I suppose it makes sense. Still, I’m curious.
Griffin passes me with a stack of chairs and smiles. “Gotta say, I never saw you with Ezra,” he teases.
“Well, neither did I but here we are. I guess stranger things have happened,” I admit.
“Yeah, like Viv and Beck.” He shakes his head and drops the chairs where his mother directs. “But I’m happy it’s working out like this. It means we get to keep you.” His heart-stopping grin is often showcased in sports magazines and front and center on the Carolina Predators website. Being a professional soccer player has its perks, I guess, but I know Griffin Thomas. And I know he’s unhappy despite that smile. The only problem is there’s no time to corner him and ask about his sullen demeanor. Still, I can’t ignore that he’s not himself.
“You okay?” I ask. “You seem a little off lately.”
He wipes a rag over his forehead and frowns but doesn’t commit to explaining his off mood. “I’m okay. Just life stuff, you know?”
Oh, do I ever. As a jobless, confused woman worried about a new relationship, I most certainly know. Ezra leaving makes it harder, but I try to control my nerves and trust what wedohave. I nod and spread a tablecloth over yet another long dining table. Somehow, Mrs. Thomas has managed to turn Sweet and Salty into a banquet hall.
“I do, and that means I’m here to talk if you need to.” I glance back up at him in time to catch a deeper frown, one that seems as if he’s contemplating telling me everything, but Wilder interrupts.
“Mom said she needs two more stacks of chairs over there,” Wilder says. “Mind helping me grab those?”
“Sure,” Griffin says, immediately wiping the disappointment from his face. He nods at me then disappears back outside to help Wilder.
“What was that about?” Dominic, Mrs. Thomas’ brother, asks.
“Not sure. I think he was going to tell me something that was bothering him, but Wilder interrupted.”
