Chapter 9 Ezra

T hree weeks. That's all it took to completely change my life and flip it on its axis. Olly and I have been dating for three weeks. Every day he's been at my shop; helping me with things like inventory, or chatting about our lives, or just spending time near me. Three weeks. That's all it took for me to develop deep feelings for this talented, handsome man.

During the slow days in the shop, Olly either helped me revamp my website, or organize the display. One time he even let Rebecca photograph him modeling some of my new designs. When it was really slow he would bring his guitar and play acoustic.

Here I am thinking that metal is just noise, but when Olly showed me one of their music videos, I was shocked by the complex blending of genres, the contrast between clean and harsh vocals, and even the southern twang I've always loved in any type of music. Maybe I'm looking at things through rose colored glasses, but suddenly I'm listening to Arcade Lake and love it.

"How's our girl?" Olly coo's, as he pokes his finger through Tabby's cat carrier to stroke her striped fur. "Did you have fun with Alex? He wasn't mean to you, was he?"

I laugh. "Alex is an amazing Vet. I've been taking Tabby to Paws, Claws, and More since she was a kitten. I swear, Tabby just needs to look into Alex's dark soulful eyes and she's happy."

We make our way down Main Street back toward my apartment. One of the nice things about living in such a small town is that everything is close to my place. I don't really even need a car other than when I want to drive out of town for fabric.

"That's because Tabby is a good girl. Isn't she?" Olly coos, again.

"Oh my gosh, I swear, you like my cat more than me."

"Oh doll, that isn't true at all." He leans forward and presses a kiss to my lips. Right there in the middle of Main Street for anyone including the town gossips to see. "I like you."

I can only imagine what my sappy smile on my face looks like.

Olly pats his pockets. "Oh shoot, I forgot my phone at the vet's. Here, take Tabby. She's starting to get restless. I'll meet you back at home."

Home.

And that's how I end up standing in the middle of downtown Foggy Basin, gripping my cat's carrier, daydreaming about the man I'm falling for using the other L word. Damn. I'm so gone for the guy. Ironically, the thought of falling for a rock star no longer scares me like it first did. Olly and I have opened up since that night three weeks ago.

We've told each other things that neither of us have told anyone. He told me about his crazy stalker ex who cheated on him. He hasn't gone into too much detail about Oscar because it seems to make him unravel, and I'd rather wait for him to tell me than push him into a panic attack. He's danced around some of his other issues, but not for lack of trying to tell me, but more because he can't seem to form the words.

Tonight he's staying the night, where we plan to cook dinner together, watch our show, and make love. Tomorrow is the big day, where apparently Dee Rama Magazine is publishing a "tell all" piece about Arcade Lake's stalker.

I talked briefly on the phone with Zayden last week about what to expect. Olly couldn't seem to get the words completely out, but insisted he wanted me to know. So, he came up with the solution of calling his brother and handing me the phone.

Let's just say if I could get away with murder, this Oscar asshole, or whatever his name is, would have to watch his back. The amount of mental torture and mind games he played on Olly is something no one should deal with. Makes my situation with Forrest and Flora look downright angelic.

As if summoning the demon herself. Flora appears by my side. "Look Forrest, love, it's little Ezra."

Little? Um I'm like an inch taller than her.

Forrest gives her a confused look.

"Hi Forrest," I reply without acknowledging Flora. Yeah, I'm a petty bitch, what can I say?

Flora rolls her eyes as I walk past her, clutching the handle of Tabby's carrier with a death grip. "Did you hear that Dee Rama picked out all the contestants already? I didn't see your name on the list."

My heart sinks. "Oh. Did they? I've been so busy with my online store and here in the shop I haven't had time to check the mail." Total lie. I've been checking every day. Olly and I have been making a silly adventure out of it, walking down the street to the shared mailbox, only to be disappointed every time. How the hell did Flora get in.

"It's too bad you didn't make it. Forrest said you failed the application process last time too."

The blood drains from my face as I turn toward my ex. "You said that?" I don't want to believe that he could be so cruel. Just because we broke up, doesn't mean we weren't friends when we ended things.

"Oh course not, Ezzy. Jesus Flora. What the hell is wrong with you? Ever since we've come back to town you've been obsessing over Ezra and his boyfriend. Leave them alone. Ezra is a good guy."

Flora gasps. "You're sticking up for him?"

Forrest stops slouching and stands up taller. It's almost as if he's shedding his gentle giant, shy persona and finally sticking up for himself. "Yes. Just like I know, Ezra would stick up for me if the roles were reversed. Don't forget, Ezra has told me every petty, evil thing you've done in the past. I overlooked it because I had hoped you would change."

Flora's mouth falls open.

"If you don't apologize to him right now, for everything, we're done."

"Forrest!"

"No, Flora. This isn't a good look. And no one deserves what you did to him."

I'm floored, Forrest never once hinted that he believed me. And he sure as hell never talked to me like this. Good for him. He shouldn't let anyone walk all over him anymore.

Flora narrows her eyes on me. Like a child in trouble, she turns and gives me the most insincere apology before rushing away.

"I'm so sorry, Ezra," Forrest says, looking sheepish.

I shift Tabby's heavy carrier to my other hand and shuffle my feet awkwardly. Suddenly exhausted, I just want to go home.

"Ezra are you okay?" Olly asks, jogging up to me. His gaze narrows on Forrest, but he doesn't say anything to my ex. Instead, he reaches for Tabby and I hand her over.

"Thanks, Olly." I nod. "Yeah, I'm okay."

Olly leans his arm against me, silently giving me support. Fuck, I'm so thankful he's here. Thankful he saved me that night in the bar, and thankful he's still in my life.

I turn back to Forrest. "I'm really proud of you, ya know? That took guts sticking up to her and defending me instead of your girlfriend."

Forrest sighs. "Yeah, she'll probably give me shit for it, but it wasn't until that night in the bar I started to see that other side of her that you always told me about. I'm just sorry I didn't defend you back when we were dating."

Olly places his free arm possessively around my shoulders.

Forrest chuckles, putting his hand up in surrender. "Don't worry, Olly. Ezra and I ended a long time ago. You two are definitely meant for each other."

Olly relaxes a bit. "Take it from someone who stayed in a toxic relationship longer than I like to admit, if you aren't happy, or she's treating you like shit. Get out of there. You deserve happiness too. If Ezra can give someone like me happiness, then others deserve to feel this way too."

My heart melts. Fuck.

I'm in love with Olly Black.

We barely make it into my apartment before my phone starts ringing. "Can you let Tabby out and feed her for me, please?" I call out.

"Sure thing, doll."

I smile at our domestic bliss we seem to be in. But my smile quickly falls when I notice the caller id on my phone. "Is this a joke?" I murmur.

"What's that, babe?"

"Uh, nothing. I gotta take this phone call. I'll be out on the stairs." I walk outside and swipe to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hello, I am trying to reach Ezra Strum. Is he available?"

"This is him."

"Ezra, hi. My name is Lawson. I'm calling on behalf of Dee Rama Magazine. My boss, Ella Gray, wanted me to reach out to you. She noticed something interesting about your application. Just to confirm, did you apply to participate in this year's fashion show, correct?"

My heart pounds so hard, I almost can't hear Lawson. "Yes, I did," I reply as I frantically turn up the volume on my phone.

"Something must have happened in the process of sending you your acceptance package."

I gasp, my hand flying to my mouth.

Lawson continues talking. "The only reason we were able to catch it this year was because Ella recognized your name. She remembered your application from two years ago."

"She did?" I can't believe the words I'm hearing. My palms are starting to sweat, and I don't know if I'm shaking from excitement or nerves.

"She did. Ella really liked the portfolio, both of them. She was shocked that you didn't reply two years ago and was even more surprised when you didn't accept again."

"Two years ago?" I repeat. I think I'm in shock.

"Ella wanted me to personally look into your application. And it looks like your acceptance package has been sent back, for whatever reason. Can you confirm your address? We have a building on Main Street, but when I look up the address online, it looks like it's a shop called Beauty and the Boutique."

"Yes, that's correct. That's my address. I live above my shop."

"Hmm," Lawson hums. "I'm not exactly sure why it was sent back, but I'm assuming last time your package either got sent back or got lost in the mail."

My heart pounds even faster. "What does that mean for me?" I ask, walking down the steps until I'm in the alleyway.

"Just one moment. Please hold while I transfer you to Ms. Gray."

"Ms. Gray?" I squeak, but the hold music is already playing in my ears. I pinch myself. Am I dreaming? I begin to pace with excitement. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

"Hi, Ezra. This is Ella Gray. Are you still on the line?"

"Ms. Gray, hi. Wow. I'm so sorry, I'm kind of in shock. I'm such a huge fan."

"That's wonderful. Thank you. Look, I wanted to personally congratulate you and let you know that you have been accepted into this year's fall fashion with Dee Rama Magazine. Unfortunately, because we didn't catch the error in time you lost an entire month. Other contestants will have an advantage of working for a longer period of time. Which I understand is a huge disadvantage for you. Another reason I wanted to reach out to you over the phone to not only congratulate you, but to see if you were still interested in participating despite that disadvantage."

I blink. I want to scream yes. Tell her there's no way I'm passing up this opportunity. But I take a moment to think. "Can you tell me what the theme is?"

"Unfortunately, I can not. If you decide to accept then I will have Lawson email you a basic electronic contract. Once you sign and send it back he will email you your package rather than send it snail mail. Again I apologize that you never got either acceptance letter."

"This is a huge dream come true for me, Ella. And I'm honored you recognized my name, let alone reached out. I'm in. I want to show you what I can bring to the fashion show."

"That's wonderful. Congratulations, Ezra. Just in case, jot down our phone number. If you don't get the contract from Lawson within thirty minutes, call him back. He will immediately email you your acceptance package with the theme."

"Thank you, Ella."

"And, Ezra?"

"Yes?" I ask, climbing my way back up the stairs to my apartment.

"There's a reason I recognized your name both times. I look forward to seeing what you bring to the table. Good luck."

I hang up the phone and burst through the front door and squeal. I throw my arms up into the air and do this crazy knee high kick dance. "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Olly, where are you?"

Olly rushes out of the kitchen. "Are you okay? What's going on?"

"I got in!" I cheer, sprinting toward Olly at a speed that's probably dangerous for us both. "I got in." I jump up into his arms and wrap my legs around Olly's waist. I cling to him like a monkey, before bouncing up and down.

Olly starts peppering me with kisses and laughs as I laugh. He's feeding off my excitement and I'm totally feeding off of him. I pull him into a passionate kiss, all while bouncing in his hold as he cups my butt.

"Ezra, doll. I have no idea what we are cheering about."

"I got into the Dee Rama Magazine Fashion show!"

Olly places me back on my feet. His smile is so wide, it looks painful. "Are you fucking serious?"

I nod eagerly.

"You're in?"

"I'm in!" I shout.

"Holy shit. You're in!" He swoops me back into his arms and twirls me around. "We need to celebrate. Do you want to go out? I know we had plans to stay in but wow. We need to celebrate."

"I want to celebrate here. But I have to check my email. They are emailing me the contract, then I should get the theme and welcome package shortly after signing."

"Oh my god, it's happening. Why don't we order in, then once we get the theme, we can start planning out your designs."

We. Fuck. I love that ever since we started dating he has always referred to us as a unit. A we. Can he be anymore perfect? How is this my life?

"I have a little bit of a disadvantage."

"What do you mean?" Olly's brow scrunches.

"Everyone—including Flora—has had a month to design. They should be in the producing and finalizing stages, right now. I have to do this all in a month."

Olly grins. "We got this doll. I'm so damn excited for you. Let's stick to our plan. Order food. Sign the contract. Get the theme. Once you get the theme we will spend the night planning it out. It'll be fun."

"You sure? What about our tv show?"

Olly scoffs. "What about it? It will still be there. We got a mother fucking fashion show to plan out."

I bounce on my toes. "Oh my god. It's really happening," I cheer. "Damn. I'm going to turn into a broken record over the next week until it really hits me that I got in."

We end up ordering our favorite burgers at the Blue Star Diner. I receive the contract and sign it electronically. Within minutes I get the welcome package. "The theme is Alice in Wonderland."

"That's actually a really cool theme," Olly replies.

We are huddled close, sitting at the dining table and munching on our burgers while we read through the theme and shared documents on the laptop between us.

Olly snaps his fingers. "What if we use the pastel yellow suit? That suit is amazing. You can add a top hat and make it a Mad Hatter piece."

I shake my head. "No, I first designed that piece two years ago. It was in my sketches I sent to Dee Rama two years ago. If Ella remembered me and my designs, she might recognize this one. I need something new."

"The suit is really good. It deserves a spotlight."

I grin over at him. "Thank you, Olly, but that's your suit. It was meant for you, not for the fashion world to get a hold of and replicate."

"Okay, that was really fast thinking. I'll let you win this one." He leans in and kisses me.

I laugh against his lips, before scanning the shared doc again. "Take a look at this." I point at the screen. "Here's a list of the characters we can use inspiration from. Everyone seems to be gravitating towards the Queen of Hearts, White Rabbit, and Cheshire Cat. It seems strategic."

"Maybe people think Hatter is too obvious."

"I think you're right. And look no one has even selected Alice. How can we have Wonderland without Alice?"

Olly squints at me. "So, are you going to pick Alice and Hatter then?"

I nod eagerly as an idea pops up. "I have to be different. I can't show off an Alice or Hatter that everyone has seen before."

"Well then, how are you going to make the two most obvious characters different?"

I eye Olly's build. "I have an idea, but you'd have to be very open to wearing anything. You'd have to trust me."

Olly's eyes sparkle. "I do trust you, Ezzy," he replies with a grin.