Page 105 of Booked on You
Leaning back in my chair, I watch her, enjoying how easy this is. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should,” she says. Her eyes find mine again. “Especially considering you’reEzra Reed.”
I shake my head, fighting back laughter. “Don’t start,Scarlett Collins. International best-selling author who has sold several million copies of her books worldwide. I don’t feel worthy to even be in your presence.”
“Oh, stop,” she says, her voice lowering.
I gather our empty wineglasses and set them on the counter next to the wine.
Scarlett follows behind me after grabbing our empty bowls and places them in the sink.
She bumps my hip as I turn on the water. “I think you might have spoiled me for anyone else’s cooking.”
“Well, that was my master plan,” I tell her, turning on the water. “Mwa-haha!”
“Diabolical.” Scarlett leans against the counter, watching me. Her expression turns thoughtful. “Seriously, though, this was exactly what I needed after how hard I worked today. Thank you so much.”
“Anytime.” I set a bowl into the dishwasher rack. I glance over at her and notice how her hair falls loosely around her shoulders, green eyes locked on mine. I know she can feel the electricity that’s streaming between us.
We both open our mouths to speak, but before either of us can get a word out, my phone steals my attention.
I pull it out and stare at the screen. “It’s my store manager. I’m sorry, one second.”
Instead of walking away, I put the phone on speaker so Scarlett can hear the conversation.
I have nothing to hide from her.
“Hey, Paula, what’s up?”
“Hi, I’m sorry to interrupt. I wouldn’t call if it weren’t important,” she says, getting straight to business. “We’re getting a lot of media requests for interviews ahead of the charity event in three weeks. Everyone is excited about your return.”
A knot of tension tightens inside me, and I feel so many old anxieties rising again. It’s not Paula’s fault, though. I knew this event was coming and have been planning it for over a year. I just imagined I’d be ready. Media involvement was inevitable.
“Are you sure they need to interviewme?” I ask, though I already know the answer. “Can they speak to you? You know the business just as well. You worked with my mother for decades.”
Paula hesitates. “You know I wouldn’t push you to take care of it if I could. They want you, Ezra. Paris Pottery is your baby, not mine. What if we agreed to a few carefully chosen outlets that could help set the tone for the event and let you control your narrative?”
I lean against the counter, running a hand roughly through my hair. I glance at Scarlett, who hasn’t taken her eyes off me. Her brows are furrowed, and I give her a small smile. It does nothing to ease any of her concerns. I exhale. “All right. Just set up a few and be very picky about who it is. I would like all questions to be submitted in advance, and I will not answer any invasive or personal ones. I’ll walk out in the middle of it with no fucks given.”
“Absolutely. I know you will,” Paula agrees. “I contacted public relations, and they’re aware of it, too. But I promise to handle it personally. Thanks, Ezra. I hope you’re enjoying your vacation and are finally getting some alone time.”
I laugh. “It’s been the best vacation of my life. I’ll see you next week when I return to the office.”
“Great. I should have something for you to review by then,” she says and ends the call.
I sigh, meeting Scarlett’s concerned gaze. Her fingers lace through mine, and it calms me down.
“Well,” she says, “sounds like you’re officially stepping back into the spotlight.”
“Yeah,” I admit, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles. “Honestly, I wasn’t expecting media attention this soon. I thought I had a bit more time before reality came knocking. At least until my vacation is over.”
Scarlett nods, and understanding swims in her expression. She gently squeezes my hand. “How are you feeling about it?”
I pause, studying her. She genuinely wants to know. No one has ever cared, but she does.
“Part of me knows it’s necessary because I want this to be successful for all the artisans who committed. On a business level, it’s smart because it could bring more exposure to the event, and we could earn more money to support artists. But after my mom passed and things fell apart with Sara, the thought of going public again made me feel…”
I can’t think of the word.
