Chapter Fourteen
Daphne
" A lright, I fucking love that your man has been keeping you busy, but I miss you. I demand a girls' night, ASAP." Wren makes her way into my station at the shop.
I'm about to tell her that sounds good to me when Meadow breezes in behind her and starts talking. "I agree. I miss your face. I feel like we only get snippets of you, and I need more Daphne time." Meadow's pouting, which makes me feel like shit.
"I miss you both too. I know I've been busy with Ezra, but you guys have been busy too. It must be great for you to have Brooks here full-time and not have to worry about the distance," I say to Wren before turning to Meadow. "And you've been busy with River. We all have had a lot going on, but I completely agree that we need some girl time."
"Good. We don't have many scheduled appointments for this Sunday, so I took the liberty to call the few that were on the books and move them up earlier. They all agreed and were happy to have the rest of their days free. I can post on our socials that we're closing early if that works for you."
Of course, Wren already has everything handled so we can't refute, but I wouldn't anyway. I really do miss them. Life has been crazy busy between work, the foundation, and Ezra.
It's been a little over a week since our dinner at Camilla's, and we've been going non-stop. We finally had a dinner with a few of the board members, and it went way better than the dinner with my parents.
Speaking of my parents, my mom has been back to her passive-aggressive texts and phone calls that I've let go to voicemail. I just can't afford to let her poison my thoughts when things are going so well in my life and with my foundation. That dinner with Ezra's board gained me a few new sponsors, and I think I have enough people in my corner that I don't need my parents to back me anymore, therefor my mother doesn't have anything to hold over my head.
Things with my dad have been different. He's called me a few times and has sent a few sweet text messages letting me know he's happy for me and extremely proud of me. Ezra encouraged me to accept his offer for a lunch date last week, and I'm so glad I did. I don't know what shifted for my father, but something changed as far as he is concerned. If I'm being honest with myself, he wasn't ever mean to me. He was just busy and expected my mother to handle me. We probably need to talk about it more, but I wanted to enjoy a nice meal with him, and I think he felt the same way.
"That sounds great to me. Are we boozing and fooding, or are we going to do something else?"
"Ugh, I vote no for booze. I still can't handle the smell of it after our last booze night where I overindulged just a teensy bit."
Wren and I grin because it doesn't take much for Meadow to overdo it. She's pint-sized and has never been a big drinker, so it doesn't take much to have a tipsy Meadow.
"Hmm, do we want to do just us three, or would you be down to invite the Wilson sisters? I have an idea for where we can go." Wren suggests.
"I'm fine if they come. It's been a minute since we've seen them. Would you mind if I invited Celeste? They woman is a superhuman, I swear, but I also think she's lonely. " I shrug.
"Not at all. The more, the merrier!" Meadow beams, ever the extrovert.
"Great. If they agree, I want to go on a hike to one of the more unknown falls here. We can pack snacks and food, and make a day of it."
"That sounds great to me."
"Me too."
The front doorbell goes off, so Meadow and Wren head out. We all have a pretty packed day. I'm working on a sketch for a client that will be here in a little bit, trying to perfect it.
The rest of the day flies by as client after client comes through the shop. We're getting more popular, and it's starting to show on our schedule. River, being her brilliant self, did some math way above my head to optimize our schedule without us getting burnt out, and it's been working really well. It's been great and allowed me to have more time for my art, foundation, and Ezra.
My day flies by, keeping me on my toes. I smile when the girls and I get a lunch delivery.
Daphne: Thank you for the food. You really don't have to do that, but we all appreciate it.
Ezra: I know I don't have to, but a little birdie told me you ladies had a jam-packed day. I figured this was the best way I could help make your day a little easier.
Daphne: A little birdie? Are you secretly in cahoots with Wren?
Ezra: Nope, although she would be a great ally. Brooks had to come into the city today and hit me up for coffee. He told me how busy you've all been, so we decided to get lunch and take care of our girls.
Daphne: I love that you and Brooks met up, but even more that you guys take such good care of us. Gotta go.
Ezra: Me too. See you tonight?
Daphne: Definitely.
Ezra: Bye, love. 3
Daphne: Bye! Xoxo
I finish up my day and spend my night tangled up with Ezra. It's amazing, but I can't let myself forget that this is all temporary. Although I'm not sure when it will happen, our arrangement is going to end. The only thing we really have left for our plans for this fake relationship is our event for the foundations.
Matty and Camilla quickly took over the planning of the event, not that Ezra and I wouldn't have been happy to do it. They are both so passionate about our foundations that there was no way we were keeping them out of the planning of something this exciting. Plus, Camilla and Matty are two peas in a pod. They get along so well, and I know they fill a void for each other—Camilla as a mother figure to Matty, and Matty as the son Camilla never got the chance to have.
The event is going to take place in a few weeks at our foundation. Ezra said it had a better set-up for what we wanted to do and that he would make sure his kids have any technology they need once they get there. Matty and Camilla had the brilliant idea to ask some of our business donors if we could do mock marketing for them. They were so excited when a couple agreed. It sounds like it could be a huge success, and I'm really excited to see what our kids come up with.
Sunday rolls around, and I find it hard to tear myself out of Ezra's arms. He came to stay with me last night, which was a bit of a relief. I was dead on my feet after another busy day and had no desire to drive to his house.
"Mmm, are you sure you need to get out of bed already?" He nuzzles into my neck, nipping and kissing down my throat.
I arch, giving him better access.
"Ugh, yes. Wren and the Wilson sisters were adamant that we do breakfast at the diner to full up before our day. Apparently, the hike to the falls is a little rough and will take a while but is worth it."
"Do you think I have time to have my favorite meal?" Ezra grins wickedly as he makes his way down my body.
"We have to be q-quick," I stutter as Ezra's tongue slides through my center.
"I don't think that will be hard with how wet you are for me." He blows on my clit, making me arch off the bed.
I close my eyes and let Ezra have his way with me. I come embarrassingly fast on his tongue, and then again with him buried deep in my center.
We're out of the shower and getting dressed when our phones beep with a message from Celeste.
Celeste: Hey, hey. Me and the rugrats are on our way. We'll meet you at the diner in about twenty minutes. Can't wait to see you! I'm so excited!
Daphne: Sounds good!
Ezra smiles as he leans over my shoulder to read the message. He hugs me tightly before heading to my closet to grab some clothes. With all of our late nights, we've both started leaving spare clothes at each other's places.
"Thanks for asking Cel to go with you ladies. You didn't have to, but I know it made her day."
"I was happy to. She's the best, and I've loved getting to know her better."
"She is the best, but she's been struggling. The few model friends she had from work could never understand her desire to settle down and have kids. I don't think she talks to many of them anymore, and the friends she had in her marriage were the asshat's friends. They stuck by his side even though he is a slimy, cheating bastard."
"Well, now she has me and probably a whole slew of girls in her corner. I think she and Emerson are going to be great friends.
"What are you going to do with the kids today?"
"I figured we'd go to the diner for breakfast, too. I think Brooks is going to meet us there, and maybe the Wilson women's significant others as well. At least, I think they are since Brooks mentioned giving them a heads-up about our two big parties this morning."
"That sounds like a lot of fun. Is it going to be a pool day?"
"It is. Do you think you're down for turning this night into a cookout-pool party?"
"Hmm, I think that could be a lot of fun if you're sure you don't mind hosting us."
"I don't mind at all, love. I'm so fucking happy with what we're building here. I want every minute I can get with you, even if that includes spending time with your friends and making a few new ones of my own."
I smile at Ezra as I wonder how I got myself into this situation. My heart and mind are on two completely different pages, but it can't be helped when Ezra is the man that he is.
We finish getting ready and head off to the diner for breakfast. It's a mad house with our two parties, along with the other patrons trying to get breakfast. You'd think that the guys' table with all the kids would be the rowdy one, but our table is full of loud conversation and laughing. Breakfast is delicious, and before long, we're all saying goodbye to the guys and kids, and piling in vehicles to head out for our hike.
The Wilson sisters pile into Emerson's jeep before she tears out of her parking spot like a crazy woman. Chayse is standing in her seat, her hair flying behind her as she dances to the music Emerson is blaring.
Cash groans as he herds his kids to his car while Maverick and Axle laugh at him.
"I swear she's going to give me a heart attack one of these days," he grumbles.
"You just need to quit being such a damn worry wort," Reid teases him as he helps get one of the twins in the car.
I love these guys and their dynamics. I sit back and watch them wrangle their kids while Ezra helps get Celeste's in their car seats. I walk over and give him a quick kiss, then frown when he drops his keys to his Land Rover Defender in my hand.
"You can drive and then just bring everyone over after you're done. Sound good?"
I nod, not sure that I want to be in charge of his very expensive car, but I know there's no fighting him.
"Have fun." He leans in and kisses the hell out of me, only stopping when Celeste makes a gagging sound behind me.
"You too."
We climb in the SUV, and I follow Wren's directions to where we need to park for our hike. When we pull up, Chayse and Emerson are dancing behind her jeep as Spencer smiles and watches.
"It's about damn time. Let's go!" Emerson is bouncing on her feet as if she didn't have a horrible accident a few years ago. The scars are the only things that give it away.
We all grab our stuff and start making our way up the trail. I find myself in comfortable silence at the back with Spencer. We're both on the quieter side, which makes us naturally gravitate to each other when all of us get together.
"How are you settling into the Falls?" she quietly asks.
"I really love it here. The sense of community is amazing. How are you? How's your new class?"
"I'm doing really well. They're a great group of kids."
"That's great." We lapse back into silence as we walk a little further.
"How are things with Ezra? You two seem to fit well together."
"Things are great." My voice falters at the end, my insecurities shining through. I expect Spencer to question me further but am surprised when she doesn't. Her calm demeanor lets me have the confidence to keep talking.
"Do you ever feel like Maverick's too good to be true and you're waiting for the other shoe to drop?"
"Not anymore, but I absolutely felt that way in the beginning. We were opposites, and Maverick had a reputation. We started seeing each other not as a real relationship, but as a fake dating situationship."
I gasp. I didn't know this information, but it's also similar to Ezra and mine.
"It wasn't long until feelings got involved and we both realized it was so much more than fake dating, but I still doubted if he was genuine about me. Add in my own securities and a shitty ex, and I almost walked away from the best man I've ever met."
"Wow, I never knew any of that. I … I think I know what you're going through. Ezra and I aren't dating for real."
Spencer stops and raises a brow at me in question. I divert my eyes as I shuffle my feet and look anywhere but at her.
"Can you explain? I mean, only if you want to. I'm just a little confused because, from the outside looking in, that man seems like he's head over heels in love with you."
"You really think so?"
"I do."
"But why? That's not what we signed up for. We both needed each other. Me to get my mother off my back and him to show his board of directors that he could be serious about someone."
"It's the way he looks at you when you're not paying attention. It's the same way Cash looks at Chayse or Axle looks at Emerson. It's as if their entire world is right before them and they're in complete disbelief that they are with the women meant for them."
I'm silent as I try to process what Spencer is saying.
Does Ezra really look at me that way? If I'm being honest with myself, I've been in love with Ezra for a while. But I don't know that he feels the same. That's not what we signed up for, and I could never live up to the type of woman he deserves. I can't even make it through a dinner with my mother without becoming a complete basket case.
"I know the situation you're in can be really hard. If you ever need to talk, you can always give me a call. I know you're more private than my sisters or your friends, but I get it better than anyone, having lived through it and being on the quieter sign myself. Just know you don't have to go through this alone. As terrifying as it can be to put yourself out there, it's absolutely amazing when you get even more than you could ever dream of." Spencer squeezes my arm, then turns to head up the trail.
We must be getting close. I can hear the sounds of the falls and take a minute to let it wash over me. Even though I am confused as hell, I'm not going to let being in my head ruin this day I've been looking forward to for so long.
"Come on, slow pokes. Nobody else is here, and the water feels amazing," Meadow hollers at us before turning and flitting back up the trail.
Looping her arm in mine, Spencer guides us up the trail. "I know it's hard not to fixate on it, but there's nothing you can do about it now, so let's go have some fun with my crazy sisters and friends."
"Sounds good."
When we make it to the clearing, I gasp. It's utterly beautiful. The falls have to be at least 50 feet high, and the pool of water they land in is crystal clear and deep enough to dive in. There's a decent-size beach, and I wonder if its man-made, or just happened naturally over time.
"Holy crap."
"It's perfect, isn't it?" Chayse asks coming up to my side. "We've been coming here since we were little. There's a ton of falls around here like this one that not many people know about. We like to hoard it so we can spend days out here together unwinding."
"I don't blame you for keeping it to yourself. This is magnificent. Thank you for sharing it with us."
"That's what friends are for. What better way to unwind than to get this slice of heaven all to ourselves?"
The rest of the day is spent playing and lounging by the water. We all brought a couple of snack items and drinks, so we've been able to stay here the whole day. It's absolutely perfect, and I'm glad Wren insisted on a girl's day.
Celeste and Chayse hit if off like I knew they would. They are both fierce women who don't take shit from anyone. I'm glad Ezra is watching the kids so she could join us. She fits perfectly, and I'm so glad to have another amazing woman to add to my life.
I'm surprised I get service out here, but I can't help but smile when I check my phone and get a ton of pictures from Ezra. The kids seem to be having a blast together, and so are the dads. The last picture makes me laugh out loud, which draws the attention of my friends.
"What's so funny? Hey, why are you on your phone?" Wren steps up to grab it out of my hands, but I hold it high, out of her reach, making her stomp in frustration.
"I was checking to see what time it is and if Ezra needed anything. He wants everyone to come over for a pool party and cookout, and I wanted to make sure he didn't ask me to pick anything up on our way."
"Oh, well, that sounds like fun. But why are you laughing?" Meadow tilts her head.
Turning my phone, I start sliding through the pictures from the guys. The first few are of the kids and their dads playing in the pool, the next is of Landon and Reid both passed out under the cabana with one of Chayse's twins sleeping on their chest, but the last is why I was laughing. It looks like Penny decided to give Axle and Mav a makeover, and it's hilarious. All the girls laugh their butts off, but I see the spark in Emerson and Spencer's eyes at what their men do for the kiddos they love.
"Okay, I get the laughing now." Celeste smiles as she swipes through the pictures. "Who is that?" She points to my phone.
I smile when I see Mac with Layla in his arms. I don't know which one is looking more adoringly at the other, but their picture makes my ovaries hurt.
Wren gasps before wrenching the phone out of her hand. "Mac! I didn't know he was going to be in town. That's one of Brooks's little brothers."
Celeste arches her brow at the "little brother" comment because there's nothing little about Mac.
"He's a pro football player and usually has a crazy busy schedule this time of year. Layla sure does seem to be enraptured with him," Wren teases as Celeste narrows her eyes at her.
"I don't know. I think Mac might be in love." Chayse leans over Wren's shoulder to look at the picture.
"How could he not be? My baby girl is the best."
"She really is," I agree because I've honestly never met a more content baby in my life. "It's almost 4pm. What do you guys think about heading back and joining the fun?"
"Let's go!" Emerson jumps up and starts gathering all of our stuff.
The trip back to the cars is mostly downhill and goes much faster than the trip to the falls did. Ezra's mom calls Celeste on our way back and asks us to grab a few things from the store. Neither of us is surprised that her parents are joining the party or that her mom plans to cook.
When we get back, the volume level grows as our two groups come together. I've never been in a place with so much love, joy, and mutual respect shining through. Everyone meshes well together and seems to fine their place even though there are so many people.
I don't know what I did to deserve this, but I know it's going to break me when our deal is complete, and Ezra is ready to step away to have the family and woman he deserves.