Page 81 of Scandalous

“Yes, Ezra. I’ll come. All I wanted was for you to actually want me there.”

“I do.” I stand and start to pace. “Since we are talking boundaries, I’m going to ask a favor.”

She lets out a small laugh, making me feel like a god. It’s the first one I’ve managed to get from her.

“What is it, Mr. Bossy Pants?”

“I want to buy your dress for the party. I want us to match. Like a couple.”

She’s silent for several moments. “All right. I’ll send my measurements.”

I don’t want to tell her I already have them. I feel like I’ve gotten a small win. I should quit while I’m ahead.

“I’d appreciate that, Miss Blake.”

“I look forward to seeing you, Mr. Morgan.”

I smile at that. “I as well, love. I’ll let you get back to your day. I’m sure you have a million things to do. Text me later?”

“Of course. I’ll be live tonight. You going to watch?”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I’ll be your warrior in the chat, chasing away the creeps you tend to attract.”

She lets out a really loud laugh this time. “Well, at least four of them aren’t so bad. I’ll talk to you later, Ezra.”

“I’ll be waiting, Aurora.”

When she hangs up, I finally let out the breath I was holding.

I wasn’t sure I could fix us, but now that she’s coming, I have a shot.

I can’t fuck it up this time.

* * *

Walking into the kitchen, I roll my shoulders back. Between working and the long nights either hanging out with whichever of my new lovers is here or talking to them on the phone, I’m bone tired. Opening the fridge, I try to decide what I want.

Reaching in, I grab a bottle of white wine and the raspberry cheesecake that I made yesterday. Setting both on the counter, I unwrap the plastic and see that the bottle has a cork and not a screw top.

Do we even have a corkscrew? I groan. Seriously, this is my luck. Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I take a picture of the bottle and send it to the guys in a group message.

Me: Thank you for the wine. Now off to Google ways to open a wine bottle.

Drake: Do you have a screw and hammer?

Liam: Isn’t there a shoe method? Put the bottle in a shoe and bang it on a wall or some shit? I’m pretty sure I saw a life hack video about that.

Santi: That sounds like an awful idea, don’t listen to Liam.

Me: I may have a hammer but I don’t think we have screws. Liam, I’m pretty sure you need an internet detox.

Ezra: I agree with him getting off the internet. As for your wine issue, why not use the corkscrew?

Me: Brilliant idea. Too bad I don’t have one.

I roll my eyes. I know he’s trying to be helpful, but obviously I would use it if I had one.

Ezra: You have an electric one in the cabinet above your fridge.

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