Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 201(@200wpm)___ 160(@250wpm)___ 134(@300wpm)
“Believe me, buddy, you aren’t the first to have that thought. But if that attendant right there hears us—”
My pinging phone breaks my train of thought.
I rustle around in my large purse for my phone. Only to immediately shove it back inside when I see who the text is from.
“What is it?” Ezo asks in alarm.
“Nothing,” I try to shrug him off.
But he covers my hand with his. “Ana, it’s not the first time you have done that. Your miniature tablet produces that noise and then all the happiness leaves your face. I demand to know why it upsets you. It’s my job to see to your happiness and I cannot do that when I don’t know what the problem is.”
He says the last part so vehemently I know I can’t keep dodging him.
“It’s stupid,” I say. “It’s just my sister.”
“Sister?” His face lights up. “I didn’t know you had a sibling. Does she dwell near here? What about the rest of your family? You don’t speak of them.”
There’s a reason for that.
I shrug. “We aren’t that close.”
“But your sister keeps attempting to make contact.”
I shake my head. “It’s not like that. She—” God, how do I explain Alicia? “She thinks she’s better than me and just wants to rub it in my face.”
Ezo snatches my purse off my arm and pulls out my phone, a deep frown carving his face. “Then I will correct her.”
But then his features morph into confusion as he looks down at the phone. I didn’t close or lock it and he can still see the screen of our text messages. “I don’t understand. Her messages are pleasant. She’s inviting you to a gathering. She is getting married? But you do not want to go?”
I drop my face into my hand. Of course it looks bad if you just look at our recent messaging history.
Alicia: Please, Ana Bear, I can’t imagine the engagement party without you there.
Me: No way in hell.
Alicia: I only get married once. I understand why you refused to be a bridesmaid. But please come to the party at least. Even if you just drop in.
Me: What do you not get about NO WAY IN HELL?
Alicia: Mom and Dad will be so disappointed if you aren’t there. When was the last time I asked you for a favor?
That last message from her is just a low blow. That she even has the gall to try to lay some guilt trip on me after what she did—
“Your parents will be there, too?” Ezo looks from the small screen and meets my gaze, hurt in his eyes. “You do not want them to meet me?”
“What? No! Ezo, it’s not that.” I move closer to him. “It’s seriously all about my sister. She’s the worst.”
Again his features knit in confusion. “But she’s family. And she is alive. Don’t you know what a gift that is?”
Oh shit. He’s never talked about his family and always clams up when I ask him about his past. “Ezo.” I reach out and touch his arm but he pulls away and stares hard at the floor.
“You should not push away family,” he states quietly.
I see how much it means to him. This is really important.
Well shit.
It looks like I’m going to my sister’s engagement party.
“How about this one?” I ask, lifting up a blue button-down shirt that highlights Ezo’d gorgeous eyes. “If you’re going to meet my parents, you’ll want to look your best.”
He grins and then, in the middle of the Target, sweeps me off my feet and swings me in a circle until I’m shrieking for him to put me down.
Chapter Thirteen
Ana
We pull up to my parents’ how’s and already I feel queasy. Ezo is all smiles, though. He reaches over and grasps my hand, a huge grin on his face.
I try to smile back but must fail because his dims. His eyebrows furrow in concern. “Ana, are you all right? Your face is pale.”
Is it? Shit.
I pulled down the visor and flip open the mirror. Crap. He’s right. I do look a little pale in spite of my naturally tan skin and my makeup. I focused on my eyes and lips but I forgot the blush. I snatch my purse into my lap and breathe out a sigh of relief when I find some blush in the pocket where I keep extra makeup.
Quickly, I run the blush along my upper cheeks.
“I didn’t mean for you to paint yourself,” Ezo says in alarm. “I want you to tell me what is the matter.”
Finally satisfied that I look rosy and as fresh-faced as I can manage, I put the blush away and look over at Ezo. He looks really concerned and I can tell he won’t drop it.
“My family…” I let out a quick sigh. “They stress me out sometimes. My sister isn’t always that nice to me. Sometimes getting together with them like this is hard.”