Page 17 of Rousing Renee

Me: I understand that point as well. But you’ve had time to build your skills, right?

Ezra: I have sharpened certain skills. Are you single?

Me: I wouldn’t be about to go on a date with you if I wasn’t.

Ezra: Date? Who said this was a date?

I froze. He hadn’t actually used that word when he invited me over for dinner.

Ezra: Relax. I’m kidding.

Me: You know your sense of humor is something else. First singing for hours. Then you turned conversations into songs. Now you’re confused about dating me. WTF is wrong with you, crazy man? ??

Ezra: You’re wrong about one thing.

Me: What?

Ezra: I’m not confused. I’ve wanted you since I saw you all those years ago. Something drew me to you then, as it is now.

Me: But you pursued Tammy.

Ezra: She pursued me. Besides, I thought we weren’t talking about the past.

Me: Ezra-1. Renee-0.

Ezra: If we’re keeping score, I need points for the impromptu lunches.

Me: Ezra-1.5. Renee-0.

Ezra: 4 reals? You moaned and everything. That’s at least worth 3 points.

Me: Ezra-1.25. Renee-3.

Ezra: What? ?? Who made these rules? You know, cheaters never prosper.

Me: I don’t cheat. I just win.

Ezra: ??

Me: Now if you don’t mind, I have sleep to get so I’m well rested for my date, that’s not a date.

Ezra: It’s a date all right. Trust and believe.

Me: We’ll see if it’s worth it.

Ezra: In that case, we both should go. Apparently. I need to show you what it’s like to date Ezra Hamilton.

Me: And I’m out. You’re talking in third person now. Ni ni. ??

Ezra: ?? Good night, babygirl.

I bit the side of my lip and tried to contain how giddy I was. It had been a very long time since I’ve been on a date. Not to mention it felt different this time around because of all the work that I’d done over the past six months. I’m still going to therapy weekly, but the risks are substantially down, and I haven’t thought about hurting myself in four months. A relationship was risky, but it wasn’t a concern at the moment because Ezra wanted to take things slowly. That’s what I needed too, for sure.

I followed my bedtime routine: bath, moisturizer, pjs, journaling, a light snack, and then bedtime. Tonight when I fell asleep, all I could think about was the hug Ezra had given me and how out of the ordinary it was. He could’ve leaned in for a kiss. Instead, he gave me the warmest embrace. That said something about him, and it made me trust him a little bit more.

CHAPTER 5

Ezra

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