The enticing aroma of food wafted up the staircase, where Evie had just exited her room.
As she descended, the combination of sauce, seasoned beef, and spices made her stomach rumble.
Turning towards the kitchen, Evie caught sight of Ezra standing with his broad back facing her, shirtless. She felt a heat rise to her cheeks at the sight of his sculpted form, and she swallowed hard before approaching him silently. "I didn't know you could cook," she said, closing the distance between them.
Ezra turned, his gaze inspecting her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine. "Good morning," he replied.
"Forgive my manners," Evie said with a light chuckle, rolling her eyes. "Aren't you going to work today?"
"No, I'm not," Ezra replied, stirring vegetables mixed with corn and peppers in the pan. "And yes, I do cook," he added, glancing at her with a knowing smirk.
Evie nodded, though a grin spread across her face. "You could have asked sam to make breakfast, you know..."
"I woke up craving the breakfast I prepare with my own hands," said Ezra.
"Alright, Chef Ezra," she teased, "but I never would have guessed that the formidable Ezra spends time in the kitchen." She approached him, curious about his culinary skills, and smiled as she examined the meal.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Ezra asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Huh?" Evie blinked, glancing at him to see his gaze fixed on the food. "Oh... of course. Thanks for asking. You slept well, right?" she replied, trying to match his casual demeanor.
He only hummed in response, and Evie pressed her lips together. Her gaze shifted away, landing on the twisting fork he was using for the pasta. "Is that fork made of gold?" she asked, wanting to dissipate the charged atmosphere.
"24 karat. Want one?" he replied without looking up, focused on his task.
Evie laughed softly. "Yeah, I'll just frame it next to my loan reminders."
A rare smile touched his lips. "You joke too much," he remarked.
Evie shrugged, accepting the compliment. "Hey, do you mind lending a hand?" Ezra asked.
"Nope," she replied, and together they carried the finished food to the dining table, where he had plated it for both of them.
They sat facing each other, and Evie gave a mock bow. "Thanks for the meal," she said, her tone playful, while Ezra nonchalantly dismissed her gratitude, as if it were nothing.
Though she was on her way to work, she couldn't resist the tempting meal prepared by Ezra. She expertly twirled the pasta around her fork, holding her hair back to keep it away from her food. After blowing on it, she took a bite, her eyes closing in satisfaction as she savored the flavors. A delighted moan escaped her lips, and when she opened her eyes, she found Ezra watching her intently, leaning back in his seat.
"Does it taste good?" he asked.
Evie gave him a nod, still chewing, then swallowed. "Very good," she confirmed, giving him a thumbs up, and taking another twirl of pasta.
Ezra's lips curled with amusement as she enjoyed the meal. He leaned forward to pour her a glass of water.
Evie reached for it, downing half the glass as if her life depended on it. "Thanks," she smiled at him, diving back into her meal before glancing at Ezra and blinking.
"You should eat too," she said.
"Yeah," he agreed, leaning in to help himself to his pasta. They settled into their meal until Evie's phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking the moment. Dressed in sweatpants and a casual shirt, she fished it out, but her excitement evaporated when she saw the caller ID.
Ezra noticed her abrupt change; he paused, as he watched her worry unfold.
"I'm sorry… I need to take this," she said, and he nodded in understanding.
As Evie answered the phone call, the first words from the irritating man were, "Are you having breakfast without me? How rude of you, Evie." She clenched her jaw and balled her fist in frustration.
Determined not to let him get under her skin, she pushed away from her chair and moved to a corner where Ezra wouldn't overhear the conversation, all while feeling Ezra's narrowed gaze on her.
What do you want?" Evie questioned once the coast was clear.
"I just called to remind you" Derek chuckled over the phone, "We agreed to meet tonight... You know the place" He snickered.
Evie clenched her teeth.
Sensing the silence and hesitation, Derek continued, "If you fail to come...things will get bad and you know it." He chuckled, "So have fun doing your videos today, and make sure to look pretty for me. I've missed you," He said to her frustration.
Evie closed her eyes. Taking in deep breaths. And sending significant amount of curses.
"Stupid jerk..." She cursed him out.
Derek's voice dropped into a menacing whisper, "Did you say something?" He sharply inquired.
"I'll see you tonight," Evie stated firmly. "Don't call me before then."
He smirked, clearly amused. "That's what I thought," he replied, but Evie didn't hesitate to end the call, cutting him off immediately.
Taking a moment to collect herself, Evie pushed aside the frustration that Derek stirred within her. She strode out of the corner and into the dining hall where Ezra sat, unbothered.
Approaching him, "I need to leave now. Something urgent has come up." She said and without waiting for his response, she turned and exited his view.
Ezra watched her leave, his expression unreadable as his eyes narrowed in curiosity. He didn't fail to notice her stress, anger, annoyance and irritation beneath it all.