Zoya’s P.O.V
The bell attached to the door rang when I entered; drawing attention to me, but Ezra had already known that I was coming. I sat on the seat across from him, and he called over a waitress to take our order once we had chosen the food we wanted.
Ezra seemed like he knew his way around the menu because he gave me advice on what to have and what the customers here liked the most. It was nice to know that this man who seemed angry and self-absorbed not too long ago, had this side to him as well.
We only exchanged pleasantries and small talk as we waited for our orders to arrive. I had to admit, I was not a natural conversationalist, so I let him steer the reins for this one. Then a waitress finally came to serve us our food, and that was when the meat of the conversation appeared on the table as well.
“I’m sorry,” he said, and he sounded very genuine, so I was slightly taken aback by his confession. “I’m sure you noticed my… unreasonable behavior lately. I promise, I did not mean to be hostile toward you; it’s just that I have been…going through a lot in my personal life lately. And I know that it shouldn’t serve as an excuse for my horrible behavior, but I been weary of strangers lately. I guess it’s all the explanation I can give you right now.”
“He is the sheriff and is one of the most respected people in town. People love him, and I know you would never, but please don’t anger him. He is… in mourning at the moment.”
Cam’s warning from earlier rang in my ears loud and clear and now that I was kinda hearing the words come directly out of his mouth, I instantly felt sorry for him. Whatever his situation was, it could not have been easy if he no longer felt like he could trust strangers.
It’s not like my own life was all sunshine and roses, but at least the people I cared for were all well and alive. At least I could call them up at any time of the day and hear their voices, no matter how angry and insignificant they made me feel sometimes.
“Well…” I said, almost reluctantly, unsure if I should reveal what she had told me, “Cam did mention that you were… going through something. She didn’t say what, though, and I didn’t ask.”
Ezra nodded, like he already expected that people would talk about him. I guess that was inevitable, considering he was the sheriff of the town and the close knit community that this seemed to be, everyone must already know about what had happened in his life.
Just then, I looked around the room, at the diners who were here for a late lunch or an early evening snack, and found several eyes turned in our direction. But as soon as they noticed me looking, they turned their head away not-so-subtly. I almost wanted to laugh at how an old man at the corner was covering his face with the menu card.
“I appreciate that,” Ezra said now, snapping my attention back to him. “You not asking. Though I suppose Cam wouldn’t have told you anyway.” He said the last words in a small voice, almost hidden under his breath, but I heard them still.
“Is there any way for me to help you?” I asked him. It was my first instinct, my primal reaction, and I have to admit that I practically had to restrain myself in order to avoid immediately jumping at the opportunity to lend a helping hand that was likely to be unwanted.
As someone with a profession that dealt with different kinds of people, I knew very well that some people hated it when they were offered help, and Ezra seemed like that type of person.
“No.” He shook his head. “I don’t want you to pity me.”
I nodded in understanding. There was a time when I would have insisted on helping him at all costs, but I had learned early on that respecting someone’s space and decision was just as important as lending a helping hand whenever they needed it.
We moved on to other topics as we ate, talking about anything that came to mind, though I noticed that he was more interested in knowing about my background than he was at sharing his own. Sheriff habits probably?
As a cop, his first instinct was probably to find out everything about everyone that he didn’t know, just as my instinct was to always extended a helping hand, even when people didn’t need it. I guess we were more alike than we knew.
“Thank you, for lunch.” I smiled at him gratefully. Today had been…unexpected. I hadn't expected to enjoy myself as much as I did. Ezra was lovely company and I really appreciated that.
Ezra felt like a person who I could’ve been friends with instantly if the circumstances under which we had met were different. But I guess it was never too late to start over.
“Thank you, for keeping me company.” He returned the smile, a tiny one at that, but even then, I was awestruck with just how handsome he was.
The smile didn’t quiet reach his eyes, but still, he was trying. The person he lost must have been very close to him if he was feeling so down, and even though curiosity tried to get the best of me, I held myself back with teeth-gritting will.
Ezra paid our bill and walked me out to the parking lot at the clinic so I could get into my car. I still checked to see if we had any patients, but Cam reassured me that it was really okay for me to head home. So I finally decided to take her word for it.
“I guess I’ll…see you around.” I told Ezra as I got into my car.
“If you ever need my help, I’m right down that corner.” He gave me directions to the station as he closed the door for me. “Have a nice evening, Zoya.”
The way my name rolled off his tongue had me pausing for a brief moment, before I finally started my engine and drove away.
The image of Ezra standing right outside the clinic reflected in my rear-view mirror for a long time and I found myself looking at him despite my better judgment.
What was it about him that had me so intrigued? Whatever it was…I had a feeling that I would definitely be seeing Ezra around for a long time to come.