By morning my head is pounding and my eyes feel like I dived head first into a sand box. I'm not surprised at all to find myself alone in the bed. Wes hardly ever sleeps at night and when he does he usually ends up on the couch or in his chair. Aren't people in love supposed to share a bed?

Sighing, I roll my lifeless body out of bed and stumble to the bathroom to brush my teeth and guzzle about ten gallons of water. A shower sounds like the next best thing. I need to scrub this guilt off of my skin. The water doesn't feel hot enough. Pain is what I deserve right now.

The water runs cold and I guess I can't avoid the real world any longer. I slip into a cami and a tribal maxi skirt and blow dry my hair into its natural curls. There are no plans for visitors today so I don't have to slip into my Fitzgerald costume. That's one good thing about today.

The house is really quiet so everyone must be off somewhere. Good. I need more time by myself. I don't know why, since all I'm doing is beating myself up. I guess I'll grab some cereal. Since Dianne isn't here I don't have to listen to her lecture me on empty carbs or whatever.

Just as I'm about to delve into my delicious Capn' Crunch, Ezra strolls in to the kitchen. He doesn't notice me right away, which is a good thing. I can't tear my eyes away from him. He must have just gotten out of the shower because his skin is glistening. The sun gleams off of his Adonis lines causing my mouth to water. His back muscles lightly flex as he pours a cup of coffee. Why is this such a turn on?

"Enjoying the view?" Crap. He caught me. Again. Why didn't he just leave? He hates it here. His family hates him being here so why is he sticking around?

Rolling my eyes I say, "In your dreams, Ezra."

He laughed, "You were." He gave a boyish smirk and tilted his head to his coffee cup. I couldn't help but shake my head. This man was going to be the death of me. I hoped our little exchange was over but as I resumed my cereal he took the seat next to mine.

"You do realize how large this table is, right?"

"I've got the best seat in the house, though." He has the cheesiest grin on his face. A snort escaped before I could stop it. My hands cupped my face. I can't believe I just did that.

"Did you just snort?" His laughter vibrated through my body and my face became red hot.

"Well, that's embarrassing." He continued laughing. It was like music to my ears and very infectious. I too chuckled at myself. "Please stop laughing at me."

"I can't. It is refreshing to know that The Stick of The Fitzgerald's hasn't fully been inserted yet." Oh, my God. That was the crudest thing I have ever heard. My jaw dropped and I gave his arm a slight slap.

"That is just terrible! I don't know if you have noticed, but you too are a Fitzgerald." I make a show of leaning back in my chair and peeking at his bottom. Nice. "Where is your stick?"

"Oh, every year I spend away it whittles away a little more." He raised his cup to his lips and took a sip. "It also helps dropping the -gerald part."

My brows scrunched at his comment. "You go by Fitz? Ezra Fitz."

"Yep."

"Does your mother know?"

He gave a curt chuckle. "I'm not sure, but I know she wouldn't really care. She'd probably be happy to hear it. If you haven't noticed, but I'm not exactly her favorite."

"Me either." His head turned sharply to me and gave me a look like he couldn't believe what I just said. I just shrugged and took a bite of my cereal. Pondering on our conversation, I've suddenly lost my appetite and drop my spoon into the bowl, laying my arm on the table.

His arm brushes against mine and electricity shoots through me. I could tell he felt it too because his body became really still. This cannot be happening again. No, I will not let it happen again. With that I picked up my bowl and dropped it in the sink.

When I turn around, he's right there. "Aria, I want to apologize for last night. I shouldn't have let myself get so carried away." His words are sincere. I can pretend to be mad at him and put all the blame on him, but that would just add to this mess.

"Thank you, Ezra. It wasn't just you. I'm sorry too. I said some really terrible things." Our faces meet and he still has that look of awe about him. If I thought really hard, I don't know if I could ever really remember the last time Wes looked at me that way. He lifted his hand and grazed the back of his fingers along my cheek. My eyes close in response. Why does he feel so good?

His fingers tip my chin up and my eyes open. I want nothing more than to kiss this man and I know I'm going to. Damn it, damn it. His lips close the distance and just as his are about to meet mine, the front door slams open and the sound of four inch stiletto heels echo throughout the house. I practically jump out of my skin trying to distance myself from Ezra.

"Aria, it's nice to see you up and about." It is seven a.m. for Christ's sake. "Ezra." Once again a tight nod in his general direction. I don't know why he puts up with this. Family shouldn't treat each other this way. I don't care what happened.

"Aria, I know we had an appointment for cake tasting today but it looks like I won't be able to make it." She pulls her face into a phony frown.

"That's alright, Dianne. Wes will still be there." I'm really glad she won't be going with us. He really doesn't need her to hold his hand to taste cakes. You wouldn't know it by watching them. She has been there every step of the way planning behind my back and changing things as she pleases. You'd think this was her wedding. Gross.

"Oh, no dear. Wes won't be able to make it either. Turns out Mr. Kinkade couldn't attend their golf game next week so they moved it up to today. Don't be sad, Aria. You know how important this is." Yeah, Mr. Kinkade means more money for you.

"I know. Maybe I should reschedule the tasting for tomorrow or something."

"No need. I'm fully confident you can handle this on your own." With that she gave a smile and strolled right back out the front door.

"I'm so glad I can handle tasting cake all by myself." Sighing, I lean against the counter and let my face fall to my hands. Ezra rubs his hand up and down my back. It feels nice. It's been along time since someone actually tried to make me feel better.

"I could come with you." I give him an incredulous look. He cannot be serious. "What? I can taste cake. I've been doing it for, oh, about twenty-seven years now." He gives me that drool-worthy, boyish grin again. I can't help but smile back.

"Ok, Ezra. But please no funny business." I say, pointing a finger at his chest.

He lifts his hands in surrender. "I promise. No funny business." And there is that smile. I'm in trouble. Big, big trouble.