After enjoying a satisfying lunch together, Evie stood up, ready to clear the dishes, but before she could make a move, Ezra was already on his feet.
"I'll take care of it," he offered, his voice steady as he began to gather the plates.
Evie pressed her lips together, feeling a teasing nudge from her mother. "He's such a gentleman, isn't he?" Janet remarked.
"Evie's the one teaching me," Ezra replied, sending a wink Evie's way that made her blush slightly.
Oh please, Evie thought, Ezra had always been a gentleman since they first met; he was merely complimenting her in front of her mother.
He had always upheld that standard—except when he was annoyed and let his frustration show, and that side of him was one Evie didn't appreciate.
As Ezra headed off with the dishes, Janet leaned closer to Evie, their conversation dipping to hushed tones now that she had taken a seat. "He's different," Janet stated.
"I know," Evie responded, nodding in agreement.
