Page 62 of Beautiful Trauma
I rolled over and faced him. “My grand gesture isn’t sex; it’s a weekend getaway to Kelley’s Island. I’ve rented a lake house for us. Four days of sun, water, food, and sex. We can spend as much time lounging in bed as we want.”
Henry’s smile was brighter than the sun streaming through the windows. “When?”
“This weekend. I wanted to surprise you with my plans for a Labor Day getaway last night but…well, you know what epic fuckery that was. Even better, we’re taking my dad’s Aston Martin.” Henry’s face fell, and he looked like he was on the verge of tears. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
“I can’t go this weekend, Ezra. I promised Maria I would pick up extra shifts because she has several people taking vacations. I don’t want her working herself into an early grave because she’s too kindhearted to tell people no when she should. I’m so sorry.”
“Surely, someone else can cover,” I said. “How many pizza orders will there be this weekend? I wouldn’t think she’d have a lot of dine-in guests either since everyone is at the river celebrating the last weekend of summer.”
“It’s one of her busiest weekends, and I can’t—I won’t—abandon her. Not the woman who sat beside me on the cold bathroom floor at Ryan’s Place and lovingly washed my face with a cool, wet cloth when I was reeling from the side effects of my HIV meds. Maria means too much to me. I’m sorry, Ezra. I know I have a lot of baggage dragging me down, but—”
Moving quicker than was smart, I lunged across the bed and gathered him into my arms. “Don’t you ever talk like that again, Henry. Never apologize for loving someone who selflessly cared for you when you were so sick. Never. Don’t feel bad because I was pouting like a spoiled brat. We’ll still spend the weekend together, and I promise you, it will be amazing.”
I hated the doubt still lingering in the green eyes I loved so much. Words alone wouldn’t be enough to chase it away. I needed actions and kisses.Lots and lots of kisses starting right now.
By the time Henry was dressed for work, all I saw when I looked in his eyes was adoration and reluctance to leave the happy bubble of my condo. Unwilling to listen to any of his protests, I drove Henry to work and cherished the long goodbye kiss he gave me before he exited the car. It was a temporary victory, and I began working on plans for a permanent one the second Henry stepped inside the doors of Hastings Law.
ISTRESSED MYSELF SILLY OVERthe next few days, worrying Ezra would regret dating someone as unsophisticated as I was. Age difference aside, I couldn’t just drop everything and leave for weekend trips every time he got the whim. I planned to scale back my hours at the pizzeria once school resumed, but until then, Maria needed me, and I desperately needed the extra income.
Ezra had been very understanding Tuesday morning when I’d told him I couldn’t go on the trip with him, but I figured his empathy might fade the closer we got to the weekend. I’d never dreaded movie night before, but my hands shook when I unlocked his condo door withmykey. I had convinced myself Ezra would resent me for ruining what sounded like a perfect vacation.
“You should go without me,” I told him over the spaghetti and meatballs he’d made for dinner. Dread had filled me to the point where I couldn’t even enjoy the thoughtful meal he’d made.
Ezra set down his fork and gave me an odd look. “By myself? What fun would that be?”
Ezra’s happiness meant more to me than my own, which was the only reason I opened my mouth and said, “Maybe one of your friends is available. That Pres guy is new to town. It’s doubtful he’s made many friends.” The idea made me want to vomit, but I wanted Ezra to be happy.
“He’s madeplentyof friends,” Ezra quipped. “Besides, I don’t want to go if you’re not with me. I made the plans forus. I know better to plan ahead for next time.”
Please let there be a next time. “Ezra, I don’t want you to resent me.”
“Never going to happen, baby.” He sounded so sure, and I wanted to believe him. “I have some amazing things planned around your work schedule this weekend. Do you trust me, Henry?”
“I do.”
“Then relax, eat your meatballs and sauce, and get ready for one of my favorite movies.”
“Pretty Woman?” I asked forty-five minutes later when I was cuddled up beside him. “One of your favorite movies is about a prostitute?”
“She has a heart of gold,” Ezra countered with a cheesy grin. “Come on; it’s a classic.”
“I love the movie, but I’m surprised you do.”
“I’m full of surprises, Henry.”
The stress of the week caught up to me, and I crashed hard not long after the movie started. Ezra woke me up with adorable kisses on my face.
“You’re about to miss one of the best grand gestures in romantic comedies ever,” Ezra whispered in my ear. I’d sprawled across his chest at some point, pinning him to the sofa. The firm hold he had on me indicated he wasn’t the least bit put out that I’d used him as a human pillow.
“Climbing up the fire escape took balls,” I said sleepily. “It doesn’t look quite as rickety as mine.”
Ezra’s warm chuckle vibrated in his chest beneath my ear, lulling me back to sleep. I didn’t know how much time passed before he woke me up again so we could get to bed. We didn’t have sex on Friday night, and he was sleeping too peacefully for me to disturb him when I woke up early the next morning to get a workout in before my shift at Maria’s.
By the time I arrived at the pizzeria, I was feeling better than I had all week. Ezra hadn’t been hiding his disappointment all week to make me feel better, and he was excited about the alternative plans he’d made for us. I loved being the first person to arrive because I enjoyed listening to music while prepping for the day. When “I Like Me Better” by Lauv came on the radio, I turned it up and started dancing around and singing while filling the ingredient tubs for our assembly line. I felt lighter than air as I swayed to my favorite song. When I executed a cute little spin move, I realized I wasn’t alone.
Ezra leaned in the doorway watching me with a huge smile on his face. I was so happy to see him that it took me a second to realize he was wearing the same uniform as mine: green polo shirt with the Mamma Maria’s logo stitched up by the left shoulder and a pair of black jeans.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, sounding a little breathless from dancing.