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“Scarlett, amore. Slow down.” The familiar bass tone of Ezra’s voice sounds from my right.
I spot him jogging from the giant lecture hall within the Clearwater art wing. He must’ve had a class at the same time as Jonah, and I realize that I need to pay more attention to everyone’s schedules.
“Jonah told me he thought you’d be heading this way.” Ezra manages to catch up to me, jogging beside me in his suit. If I didn’t think we’d draw attention, I’d outrun him. I don’t need someone defending Jonah right now. “He wanted to follow you—”
“Then why didn’t he?” I stop short, surprising Ezra, and he bumps into me.
Grabbing my waist, he stops me from falling and steadies me on my feet. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to stop my tears. I feel wildly out of control and incapable of processing anything right now. Ezra grasped my hands, holding them gently but securely as if he’s afraid I might run away.
I gasp and step into him, pressing my face to his chest, using him as a shield against the world. “I’m such an idiot. I don’t know why I’m so hurt by something I already knew couldn’t happen.”
“Amore, come on. Let me take you inside.” Ezra doesn’t give me the chance to brace myself before he lifts me off my feet and cradles me in his arms as if I’m a small child. “I’ll save Jonah’s apology for him to tell you himself, but I don’t want you running around so upset.”
“It’s not a big deal. I’ll get over it.” I sniffle and wipe my cheek on the back of my hand, hating how I can’t stop my tears from spilling.
“Anything that makes you cry is a big deal to me, Scarlett. You don’t have to talk about it, but I am here to listen.” Ezra pushes through the glass door in the side of the building, leading into a hallway of offices.
He carries me through the first door and shuts it behind us, turning the lock. The faint scent of oil paint and turpentine lingers in the air, drawing my attention toward a lone easel facing the window with a tarp beneath it as if Ezra uses his office as a studio as well. I didn’t know he painted, because I know he only taught Art History and nothing else according to his paperwork, but I realize that there’s still a lot I don’t know about this man.
Ezra sets me down and motions toward a leather couch with colorful pillows popping against the dark fabric. “Let me get you something to drink. Do you prefer water, coffee, or something else? There’s a vending machine down the hall.”
I rest my elbows on my knees. “Water’s fine.”
Ezra quickly grabs a glass from a small shelf and pulls a clear decanter from a fridge tucked away in his cabinet. He pours me a cool glass and returns to my side, sitting beside me. He doesn’t let me take the water and instead holds it to my lips.
“Take a small sip, amore. You’ll feel better in a second. Maybe take some deep breaths. In and out.” He inhales deeply through his nose and puffs out of breath through his mouth, the floral bergamot cologne of his body comforting. It reminds me of the jasmine bushes that grow throughout campus. “Come on. Give me a big breath.”
I do as he says, releasing the tension from my body in the process. Ezra grabs a handkerchief from his pocket and wipes it across my cheeks, drying my face. We sit together in silence until my glass of water is empty and my heart finally settles down.
“I’m sorry you had to see me like this. I don’t know what got into me.” I ruffle my fingers through my hair, pushing the strands over my shoulders.
“Obviously Jonah,” Ezra says, patting my knee with his warm hand. “I know he can be a bit much. He struggles with his emotions. He’s quite sensitive and passionate and has always been that way.”
“You forgot jealous and reactant,” I quip, clenching my fingers into fists to stop my hands from shaking as I relive everything that happened after class.
“What has he done? Does this have to do with the beta in your class? The one Jonah told me he worries about bothering you?” Ezra remains expressionless.
I wonder how much he truly knows and what Jonah has said. I’m sure my five alphas talk about everything regarding me.
“Yes and no.” I wish Leo would’ve already told him about my job offering, but it’s too late for that now. Neither of us could’ve expected things coming up before dinner tonight when we finally all have a chance to sit together. “I was hired for a job painting some windows for Halloween that I had applied for before your proposal. Chaz happens—”
“Amore, you got a job to paint? How wonderful!” Ezra says, engulfing me in a hug.
I melt into him, my sadness fading away, fueled by his wave of excitement on my behalf. This was the reaction I was hoping for from Jonah. I didn’t realize that it was the case until now.
“See, this is what I wanted. I told Jonah, and all he could focus on was the fact that Chaz worked at the coffee shop.” I spill my heart to Ezra, telling him everything that happened after class. About Chaz getting my number somehow and how Jonah lied to me about how he knew Chaz worked at the coffeehouse.
“You must be so hurt. I’m sorry, amore,” Ezra says, hugging me again.
“His intentions were good, but I’m just...I don’t want to be lied to, you know?” I press my lips together, wishing the ache in my chest would fade already.
“I know it’s not my place, but would you like me to speak with him?” Ezra rubs his hand across my shoulders, his closeness helping to keep my mind and body relaxed. “I have dealt with many of his tantrums over the years. He’s always been so...he wears his heart on his sleeve.”
I shake my head. “No, I’ll be okay.”
“The only way he’ll learn your expectations is if you tell him. So please don’t ignore this and hope that it goes away.” Ezra smiles softly, his advice sinking in. “I want you to be happy. I know the situation isn’t ideal, but we can control how we move from here...and now my age is showing.” He chuckles, his face lighting even more.
I laugh and shake my head, patting his shoulder. “That’s not a bad thing. Thanks for talking me down.” I lean in and kiss Ezra, grazing my lips to his, testing him for a reaction.
