Page 104 of Bless My Body

at a table that I’ll quickly be able to find after I’m done with whoever Mom wants me to meet.

“She’s not good enough for you, Ezra,” Mom whispers as she walks me through the chaos of

people who are getting a little too rowdy with all the alcohol that’s flowing.

“You don’t even know her,” I counter. I don’t want to have this conversation with her. Not here.

Not ever.

“I don’t need to know her. Girls like her are only good for one thing. Take what you need from her

and move on.”

“Jesus, Mom. That’s a little harsh.” I feel my brows pinch together. I know my mother is

judgmental but damn. It feels like she had it out for Celine before we even walked in the door.

“Ezra, I’m just trying to protect you. I’ve seen girls like that before. She only wants your money.”

I stop dead in my tracks and turn to her.

“Do not ever say anything like that about her ever again,” I demand in more seriousness than I’ve

ever spoken to my mother with.

“Ez—” I don’t give her time to counter.

“Do you understand me?” She studies me for a moment longer than I want her to, her eyes moving

back and forth between my eyes.

“You love her, don’t you?” I turn away from her and start walking again.

“She’s my friend, and I won’t let you talk about her like that.” I swallow my feelings, hoping Mom

doesn’t bring up the L-word again.

“Oh, Ezra.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see her shaking her head. I let the conversation drop,

but I’m silently stewing inside. The one thing I’m confident about when it comes to Celine is that she

is not friends with me for my money. Everything about this entire evening is making her

uncomfortable. I’ve never seen her as tense as she’s been tonight.

I want to get out of here. This stupid tuxedo is stifling, and I feel sticky from sweat. This night

cannot end fast enough.

Luckily, after I meet with a few more of my parents’ friends, people start trickling out and saying

their goodbyes. I shake enough hands that you would think I was the goddamn president or something.

But, I keep a smile on my face because that is what’s expected of me.

Once there are only a few stragglers, I walk back outside to find Celine. I spot her immediately

like I always do. She’s sitting at the table I left her at. Her head is tilted to the sky. The stars are out