That has me laughing softly. “Really, I’m okay. This is Ezra’s show. I’m just here to watch.”
Harper hums, glancing at the TV that’s streaming the talk show Ezra will be appearing on soon. The host is making his introductory speech to the audience, hyping everyone up, joking about a few topical current events.
“It’s not exactly a surprise, you know. You two.”
“Yeah?” I ask.
Harper sets her own wine glass down on the coffee table, scooting her legs up onto the couch. Her sweater nearly swamps her entire body, as large as it is. It’s one of the fashionable kind that hangs off her slim shoulder. “I mean, you guys have always had thisthing. It’s magnetic. And everyone can see it, but being on set with you two?” She whistles. “I could feel it. You guys are so in sync, like you’re tied together, moving as one.”
My lips pull into a smile because it’s always felt like that to me, too.
“I know I haven’t really known you guys long,” she goes on. “But I’m happy for you. I kinda wanted to hate you, I’m not gonna lie. I mean, Ezra Gold? Shit, the man is fine.”
My laugh this time comes from deep within my belly. So I’ve heard, time and time again. I understand on a fundamental level, of course. I can see Ezra’s good looks. But to me, he’s never been his outward appearance. He’s just…my Ezra.
“But I couldn’t be mad at either of you,” Harper says around a sigh. “You guys are toonice. It’s tragic, really. Guys like you aren’t supposed to be nice.”
“That’s a shame. I think niceness should be expected, not the exception.”
She raises an eyebrow. “It’s like trying to argue with a ray of sunshine.”
I huff a laugh, but words from the TV catch my attention. The host, Jeffrey Maxim, is talking about his guest now, a secretive grin on his face.
“Shit,” I mutter, my nerves returning, even though I know this has already happened. With the delay, Ezra is likely on his way home by now.
Harper rubs my shoulder. “It’ll be okay. Whatever happens, I’m sure of it.”
“Thanks,” I say, despite the heavy beat of my pulse. “I appreciate you being here for this.”
Shawn spent the interview at the studio with Ezra. I would have invited Madison, but she has an important final tomorrow, and I didn’t want to pull her away from studying. Harper, on the other hand, was all too willing to come keep me company.
“Are you kidding?” she says, a cheeky smile on her face. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Ooh, here we go.”
Harper grabs her wine, resettling on the couch as Ezra is called onstage. The audience cheers and hollers, the sound ridiculously loud. Ezra plays it up, giving them a wicked grin as he walks Jeffrey’s way. The two shake hands, Jeffrey saying something quietly off-mic, and then they take their seats, Jeffrey behind his desk, Ezra on the small couch beside it.
“Ezra Gold,” Jeffrey says. “It’s an absolute pleasure having you here. When’s the last time I saw you? Five years ago?”
Ezra clutches his chest. “Four, Jeffrey. Honestly, I’m hurt that you don’t remember.”
The crowd laughs, and Ezra sends them a wink.
Jeffrey for his part, looks repentant, in an amused way. “My apologies.Fouryears. Either way, it’s been a while. What have you been up to? You just finished filmingA Worthy Deception, isn’t that right?”
“Sure is.” Ezra fixes his jacket as he settles more fully into his seat, ankle crossed over his knee. “But we both know I’m not here to talk about my newest movie.”
The crowdoohsat that, and Jeffrey shakes his head. “To the point. All right, I can admire that.” He leans toward Ezra, elbows on his desk, as if their conversation could somehow be private. “Is it true Grayson Fox is living with you?”
Ezra’s lips twitch ever so slightly, something most people probably wouldn’t even notice. “Yes. That’s true.”
There’s an immediate reaction, murmuring from the audience and even Jeffrey’s eyebrow flying up. “Okay, explain to me what’s going on there. Your whole bromance… Was that a lie?”
“No. Grayson is my best friend. That was never a lie.”
“But now?” Jeffrey asks. “C’mon, Gold, don’t leave us in suspense here. What’s the deal with you two?”
My heart thumps in time to Ezra’s soft smile.God. Even across space and time, I can feel him.
“Grayson Fox.” Ezra’s tone is almost lazy, as if the name is one he’s maybe heard before. “Yeah. That man is the love of my life.”
