Page 9 of Perfect Pairing
Damn, was it hot in here, or was it just him?
“Ezra, my boy!”
I jerked like I’d been shocked, tearing my eyes from his and dropping them to the table, taking deep, steady breaths, attempting to calm my suddenly racing heart.
Holy shit.Thiswas Ezra?
Almost instantly, I recognized him, but not because I’d never officially met the man. I’d never forget that chiseled face or thedark, unruly hair. I’d spent three hours ogling him from afar while he guest-lectured in one of my culinary arts classes, teaching us how to prepare a roast chicken, which was, according to him, a “staple in the repertoire of any chef worth their salt.”
I silently thanked the universe for bringing him back into my life.
Did I have a little crush? Absolutely. Maybe I’d finally get my chance to act on it.
Even though we hadn’t spoken a word and he’d barely spared a glance in my direction over the course of his instruction that day, something shimmered in the air between us. I doubt he felt it too, but now that he’d returned to my orbit, that thing was back, settling in my chest and pulling me in his direction.
It was the strangest sensation, giving crazy-boy-obsessed energy, but…I desperately wanted to see where it would go, if he would reciprocate.
Once Ezra set the plates on the table—loaded with sandwiches, bread lightly toasted and layered with meat, cheese, and vegetables—my dad stood and hauled him into one of those one-armed bro hugs, and I blinked in surprise.
Who was this man to make my father act twenty years younger than he was?
Mom rose and gave Ezra a kiss on the cheek before pulling away and smiling at him. “It’s good to see you. How was the trip?”
“Great,” he said. “Hansen loved Niagara Falls and the Detroit Zoo, and I’m just happy to be out of the city.”
Mom and Dad nodded knowingly, and I wondered what his story was. I’d loved living in New York, being surrounded by allthe amazing restaurants and bakeries, but nothing beat Apple Blossom Bay. For someone like Ezra, though, who had presumably grown up in the city, this change of pace and lifestyle had to have been…jarring.
Ezra’s eyes landed on me again, and, as if remembering I sat there, my dad smacked himself on the forehead.
“I’m sorry, sweets,” he said to me. Then, to Ezra: “This is our youngest, Brie.”
Inhaling a deep, fortifying breath, I rose from my chair and extended my arm for a handshake. The moment Ezra’s palm settled against mine and those eyes held my stare, my entire body electrified, like his hand was a live wire.
“So you’re the infamous Baker Brie,” he said, smiling. “It’s nice to finally put a face to the name.”
I groaned. “Please don’t call me that.”
“Why not?” Ezra asked, his smile taking on a hint of mischief. “I think it’s cute.”
Internally, I scoffed.Cute. Exactly how every woman wanted to be described by the hottest man she’d ever laid eyes on.
I shrugged. “I’m not a little girl anymore.”
“No,” he said, eyes sweeping me from head to toe in a way that made me want to squirm, lowering his voice so only I could hear, “you’re not.”
I dipped my head to hide my blush. “Right. So it’s just Brie.”
From behind me, my mother said, “I knew you two would hit it off.”
“Asfriends,” my dad growled.
Yeah, as friends, I thought wryly. Because heatwasn’tsettling low in my core from exchanging only a few wordswith this man, from the way his gaze scorched my skin.
Dad’s rule about not fraternizing with company employees hadn’t mattered much when we were younger. We’d been too worried about high school boys, parties, the latest fashion, and teenage drama to be worried about Dad’s stuffy old colleagues.
But now…well, if he kept hiring men who looked like Ezra, my sisters and I were in trouble.
Ezra’s gaze never strayed from my face as he grinned widely, and my eyes flicked to his mouth. His canines were slightly elongated, giving him a wolfish air, and I couldn’t stop myself from envisioning him eating me alive.
