Page 71 of Beautiful Trauma
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I have a surprise for you after dinner, but I’m worried you won’t like it.”
“Ezra, you don’t need to keep giving me surprises. I feel bad because I can’t afford to do the same thing for you.”
He caressed my face. “You can’t put a price on the gifts you give me every day.”
“Some would argue with that,” I replied wryly.
“I meant your beautiful heart. I hope you will love my gift and accept it, but I understand if you don’t. I’ll return it without an argument.”
I kissed his smiling lips then picked up the electric handheld mixer. “Let me finish the mashed potatoes. I did this a lot at home, and I think I’m pretty good at it.”
“I’ll heat up the green beans then.”
I loved cooking with Ezra. It had amazed me how quickly we caught on to one another’s quirks and habits. Like everywhere else, we just clicked.
“Oh my God. Thisisthe best meatloaf. I’ll never eat it without cheese again.”
“Thank you. I’ll be sure to pass your compliments along to my mother.”
We chatted about our day and the plans we’d made for the weekend. I was dreading going to the country club in one of my secondhand suits while everyone else would be decked out in elegant clothes. On the other hand, I was excited to catch glimpses of Ezra in his element. I was eager to see how he mixed and mingled with people. Was he as friendly and relaxed as he was with me, or was he coolly cordial?
After dinner, Ezra took me into his bedroom where a black garment bag lay on his bed. I recognized the name of the men’s department store and knew whatever was inside would be gorgeous and expensive.
“Ezra,” I said softly.
He silenced further protest with a lingering kiss. “Will you just try it on and see how it feels before you tell me no. Maybe let me snap a picture so I can stare at it on the nights you’re not here?”
“Suit porn?” I asked.
“Henry porn,” he countered.
I knew I should refuse the gift, but I was dying to see what he picked out for me. “I’ll try it on, but I’m not committing to keeping it.”
“Fair enough.” Ezra walked to the bed and unzipped the garment bag. He removed a charcoal gray suit, lavender shirt, and a lilac-and-gray-plaid tie. There was even a pocket square made from the same fabric as the tie. “What do you think? I picked these colors because they’ll look amazing with your green eyes.”
“It’s a beautiful suit, Ezra.”
Truthfully, I’d never owned anything as nice and my fingers twitched to touch the fabric. Was the tie made of silk? Did the shirt feel as soft as it looked? I wanted to wear the suit more than I would’ve imagined. I wanted to walk into the country club and look like a man who deserved to be on Ezra’s arm, even though it wasn’t possible yet. If I ever hoped for it to happen, I needed to start setting the stage. The faculty dinner was the perfect place to prove I belonged in his world. Months of joking aside, I really felt like Eliza Doolittle.
“Can I try it on now?” I asked.
“Of course. Would you like any help?”
I shook my head. “Um, would you think it was silly if I wanted you to wait and see me in the suit tomorrow?”
Sensing a victory, Ezra’s mouth spread into a wide grin. “If that’s what you want. The tailor will make any necessary adjustments in the morning if you feel it doesn’t fit comfortably.”
“Get out and let me try it on,” I said, making a shooing motion.
“Fine. I’ll get the movie ready.”
Once Ezra left, I undressed and tried on my suit, carefully handling the pieces like they were constructed of the rarest materials. They couldn’t be more precious to me if they were. When I finished, I didn’t recognize the guy in the mirror. He looked taller, stronger, wiser, and certain of his place in the world. I admired the graceful lines of the suit, marveling at how perfectly it fit my body. After staring at myself for a few minutes, I carefully removed the suit and returned it to the garment bag before hanging it in Ezra’s closet.
“Well?” he asked eagerly.
“It’s perfect. Thank you.”