Page 91 of Beautiful Noise

“Hmmm…” She hummed and nodded but she didn’t elaborate which made me wonder if that wasn’t a topic she wanted to broach.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to impose.”

“What did he tell you?” She turned off the stove and opened the cabinet, reaching for two plates.

“That you fell in love with his father and your family did not. You married him anyway and they refused to accept the marriage or Ezren. Well, your mother eventually did. He told me they were close before she passed.”

She piled food on two plates and brought them to the table but instead of separating them between us, she placed them both in front of me. “I did and that was the absolute best decision I ever made in my life. And yes, they were close. I’m grateful he had the chance to know her. I’m surprised he shared any of that with you. His father and the situation with my family was tough…for both of us.”

I felt her emotions so profoundly. “You love him, Ezren’s father.”

“I do.” She smiled softly. “I’m going to go. Tell Ezren I’ll call him later.”

“Wait, you’re leaving?”

“I am.”

“You’re not going to eat first?” I dropped my eyes to the plates and lifted them back to hers.

She shook her head. “No, those are for you. Take one down to him.”

“Then why did you come?”

“Because I love my son. I saw the footage from last night and thought he might need me. We’ve needed each other since we lost my husband becauseweare all we had but that’s not the case anymore.”

She placed a hand on my shoulder, gave a gentle squeeze, and was on her way to the living room.

“He still needs you.” The last thing I wanted was to get in the way of their relationship.

“He does and he’ll always need me, but what he needs more right now isyou.” She pulled the strap of her purse over her shoulder and added, “My son is very private. He rarely shares details of himself with anyone; yet he’s told you about the two most pivotal events in his life. Losing his father and my family’s rejection of them both. I would bet everything I own that he hasn’t shared either of those things with anyone other than you, which leads me to believe that whatever is between the two of you extends beyond what I hoped for. Mysonis in good hands.”

She smiled and headed to the door, pausing just before she let herself out. “As are you, Kori. There will be plenty of breakfast dates for us to share. My gut is telling me you’ll be around for a while.” She winked, then was gone.

I left the table, went to gather utensils, and balanced both plates, taking them to the basement. Just as I reached the entrance, the door pushed open and I smiled when I laid eyes on Ezren. He was in different clothes and I could smell the faint scent of body wash.

“You took a shower?”

“Yeah, there’s one down here.” He held the door for me and waited for me to enter. I made my way to the small kitchenette and placed the food on the counter where he grabbed a slice of bacon.

“I don’t know how I feel about you being fully functional down here.”

He grinned. “It’s necessary but trust me, you always have access.”

“Do I?”

He gripped my waist and pulled me to him, lowering his mouth to mine. “Yeah, you do.”

“Remember you said that.”

He chuckled and grabbed another slice of bacon. “Thank you for this. I’m hungry as fuck.”

I paused while he mumbled a quick prayer and clarified, “Thank your mother.” I slipped onto one of the stools and he filled the one next to me.

“She’s here?”

“Washere. She left after she made breakfast.”

“She say what she needed?”