Page 166 of Scandalous

“I could get over the stares, but it’s the glares and whispering that are getting old.” Ezra pauses. “Do you think it’s my accent? Do you think they believe I’m only with you for a green card?”

I toss my head back and laugh. I would expect that kind of joke from Liam but not Ezra which makes it even better.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if someone said something.”

“Aurora.”

I turn and see the police chief walking our way.

“Chief.” I nod. “How are you?”

“I’m fine.” He nods as he comes to a stop next to us. “Who’s your friend?”

Ezra holds out his hand. “Ezra Morgan.”

The chief shakes his hand and turns back to me. “You got yourself a Brit, huh?”

“I did.” I smile tightly.

“Well, I best head in there and offer your family my condolences. Sorry for your loss,” he says as he walks away.

“Interesting character,” Ezra says once he’s at a distance.

I roll my eyes. “He’s been the police chief since I was born.”

“Shouldn’t he retire soon?”

“One would think. Thankfully though, crime here is at a minimum, so the department isn’t very busy.”

I watch as a group of kids around my sister’s age walk out of the parish hall. They look our way and point at us as they whisper.

“Seriously, this is ridiculous.”

Ezra tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, bringing my attention to him. “How long do you have to stay at this?”

I shrug. “We could probably leave. Why?”

“How about we head back to the bed-and-breakfast and decompress?”

“I’m okay,” I instantly deny.

Ezra shoots me a knowing look. “Of course you are. Still, we should take every opportunity to decompress while we can. You know as soon as we get back to Vegas we will hit the ground running again.”

I bite my lip as I think about it. He’s not wrong and I really would love to get out of this dress and my feet are killing me.

“Okay, but we need to go tell them we have to leave.”

“If they ask why, you can always blame me and say I have an unexpected business call I need to take.”

Leaning forward, I kiss Ezra softly. “My hero.”

Ezra kisses me again and smirks when he pulls away. “Don’t tell anyone. I have a reputation as a hard-ass to uphold.”

“Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me,” I tease.

Ezra grabs my hand, and we walk forward. As we step inside, everyone stops talking and looks our way.

“What in the world?” I murmur under my breath.

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