Page 146 of Booked on You
This makes me chuckle. They have no idea.
Security opens the doors, and I enter. Everyone knows who I am, so they step aside and let me into the convention center.
“There you are.” Millie appears with a clipboard and a headset. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Paps are outside.”
“Oh, honey.” She studies my face. “Still no confirmation if she’s moving?”
I shake my head, knowing there are still three more days left in the month.
“It’s going to work out.” She squeezes my arm and gives me a grin. “Come on. Paula wants to go over the program with you one more time.”
The convention center is massive. The main hall has been transformed with round tables covered in white linens, centerpieces made from local flowers, and a stage at the front with a podium and microphone. My pottery is displayed on pedestals around the room, alongside work from other local artists. The lighting makes everything look elegant and expensive.
Paula rushes over when she sees me. “There you are. Lookin’ nice, Ezra. Wanted to let you know I just got word the governor will be here tonight. Can you believe it? The governor of South Carolina!”
“That’s great.” I try to sound enthusiastic.
“Your mom would be thrilled.” Paula’s eyes get misty. “This turnout is incredible. We’re going to make such a huge difference.”
“We are.” I give her a real smile, excited about what we’re accomplishing. “Couldn’t do this without your leadership.”
“Honored to be a part of it. Thank you for keeping your mama’s vision alive.”
When I enter the banquet room, it’s full. I stand near the main entrance to greet guests, shake hands, and thank people for coming. Danny and Marcus arrive together and both give me a side hug. Silvia shows up with her husband Roy, who’s a dentist in town. The mayor stops by to shake my hand, and a local news crew requests an interview. Every single person asks about Scarlett.
I tell everyone she’s well, in New York, taking care of business, then I change the subject a thousand times. Each question is a knife twisting deeper because I don’t know the answers to their questions. Their guess is as good as mine. I don’t know if she’s coming back. If she doesn’t, I might go to New York and track her down.
Millie finds me an hour later, and she’s nursing a glass of champagne. “You need to stop for five seconds and eat something.”
“Not hungry.”
“Ezra.” She gives me her stern aunt look.
As a server walks around with cocktail shrimp, I snag a few. “I’m eating, okay?”
She nods, satisfied. I swallow down the food, then gulp the rest of my champagne.
“Don’t get too sauced, your speech is in ten minutes.” She plucks the empty glass from my hand and sets it on the bar. “Pull yourself together.”
I chuckle. “Millie, I’m fine. Trust me. I’ve had two glasses in three hours.”
“I’m just worried about you.” Her voice softens.
My throat gets tight. “I know, but I’ll be okay.”
She squeezes my hand. “I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
My aunt walks away, and I pull out my phone one more time to see if I have a missed text or anything. The silence kills me.
Maybe this is goodbye. Maybe this is her way of creating space, to let me down easy. I send her a text.
Ezra
Thinking about you.
Five minutes pass, then ten, and she doesn’t text me back.
