Page 87 of Ezra
Just in case.
My determination renewed, I make my rounds, trying to speak with and get to know everyone a little. I learn the ACUbegan with just two people—Deion and Ezra—but it’s since grown into an ironclad team of ten people.
I work to keep names straight. The newest additions to the task force are Drustan Norris and Lex Weaver. Jayne explains how Lex’s dad, Marcus, is also on the ACU task force as a detective. But Marcus isn’t present at the barbecue today. Not a fan of androids, Jayne explains. Then there’s also Jenna and Iman in forensics, the only married couple in the unit working together, and officers Karis, Tony, Roger, and Brendan. I count them quietly on my fingers to make sure I got them all. It’s a start. I’ll have to make another round to try to make sense of which spouse in attendance belongs to whom.
“You spoke to Jayne for a while.” Ezra’s voice is soft, inquisitive, bringing me out of my analytical work brain as he comes to stand beside me a distance from the outdoor tables where people are eating. “You two must’ve really hit it off.”
I grin at him. “Yeah. She’s great. We’re gonna hang out next week.”
His brows lift in muted surprise. “Glad to hear it. I heard you gossiping a little.”
“Did you?” I ask, playing coy. “Super hearing?”
“Something like that.”
I let myself have another cocktail when Rashelle offers and spend some time with her too in the backyard. We watch her kids rake leaves into piles, then send them scattering when they jump into them for fun. They play chase and try to wrestle with Ezra when he comes to oversee them. He remains immovable, and soon walks with two little girls giggling and clinging to his legs.
Stifling a giggle of my own, I glance at Rashelle. “Never realized he was so good with kids.”
“He’s the best.” Rashelle gazes at them lovingly. “When Deion first brought him home, I didn’t know what to think. Hewas so serious, couldn’t crack a smile if you asked him to. Now?” She taps a fingernail against her glass, humming. “Sometimes I wonder if he’s more human than the rest of us.”
“I find myself wondering the same thing,” I admit, wondering if the warmth spreading from my stomach to the rest of my body is obvious on my face. Ezra glances at me from across the yard. Our eyes meet, and the heat only increases.
Maybe that’s enough cocktails for me.
“You know.” Rashelle’s turns her attention to me. “In his four years of living with us, he’s never brought over a girl. Not once.”
My heart quickens, and I scoff a little, embarrassed. “Jayne said something like that too. That must be strange for all of you. First girl he brings home is enemy number one.” I’ve been working hard not to project on everyone around me, because no one’s said a word about it, but I can see the questions in their faces. It’s taken all of my self-control to leave it alone, avoid explaining myself.
Rashelle folds her arms beneath her chest. “I won’t lie and say that hasn’t crossed my mind. Your organization hasn’t exactly made Ezra’s or my husband’s job any kind of easy.”
“I know,” I say, glancing at her. “And I’m sorry for that. I’m sure I sound like a broken record when I say that I’ve always?—”
“I’ve watched your interviews. I’ve heard what you’ve said,” Rashelle replies. “I know you personally aren’t to blame for the actions of other people. But you’ve got to know Humanity First can’t keep this up. People are going to start killing each other if the extreme rhetoric isn’t done away with. It’s a cancer.”
“Believe me, I know,” I tell her, wanting her to know I share all of those concerns. I live them every day, poring over every possibility in my head. “And big changes are coming.”
“Are they?” Rashelle asks pointedly, like she isn’t sure quite yet if she believes me.
It’s a fair question. “Change has to happen, and I have to be the one to facilitate it. I’m still navigating how best to do that without letting everyone down.”
“Everyone being . . .”
“People who’ve lost their jobs and depend on donations from us. If we quit now, big money wins. I know some people won’t be able to see past the fact that I’m romantically involved with an android. It might all fall apart, anyway. But I have to try.”
“That sounds like a lot of responsibility on one person’s shoulders.” Rashelle’s expression softens. “Your dad can’t help you with it?”
“Not this time.” I’m not ready to tell everyone he’s decided to retire. Or that I’ve already decided I need to take his place. Dreams of France keep growing dimmer, but what else can I do when I’m needed?
“Well, Ezra clearly cares for you a great deal.” Her attention returns to her children. “You’ve somehow gotten his attention and held it, and that just hasn’t happened before.”
“He must mean a lot to you too,” I venture quietly, trying not to make it plain that I can’t keep my eyes off this man.
“To Deion, he’s a brother,” Rashelle says with a little nod. “But to me? He’s more like a son. Like the stork brought him here to me all grown up and graduated from college already.” She laughs heartily, gently patting my shoulder. “I really am glad you came tonight. I’m gonna see about serving dessert. Hope you saved room.”
“Sounds great,” I say as Ezra gently pries DeDe from his leg and holds her in his arms. He looks at me again.
When we share a smile and a familiar warmth flushes my cheeks, I know it’s over. I’m past the point of no return.
