Broken

chapter twenty-six

A week later

Unfortunately, the stress of the trials coincided with my last week at Rosewood High, so the highly anticipated fun didn't go as planned. Spencer, Emily, Hanna, and I have been trying to see each other as much as possible in the middle of our packed schedules.

I rush around my room, grabbing my bag and a jacket to go to Ezra's apartment, almost forgetting my car keys on the chest of drawers next to my closet. The Brew's car park isn't busy, aside from the employees' vehicles.

I see Sabrina walking to her car, holding a cup of coffee after her morning shift. She greets me with a smile and a hug, we make small talk before she tells me she has to run to an appointment. One of the things I'm most grateful for from her is that she never pried into mine and Ezra's relationship or what happened with Nicole and Alison. I appreciated that.

"It's open, Aria," Ezra calls from behind the door after I knock on it a couple of times.

Music from the radio escapes as I push open the door; I hear the rustling of papers and the noise of someone searching for something.

"Sorry I'm late," I say to Ezra, unsure of where he actually is in the mess of the place. "I was talking with Sabrina."

"Oh, she just finished her shift?"

"Yes, why?"

"Damn. I needed to talk to her. She's my best chef. And my only chef at the minute."

"Okay..."

"I want her to co-own this place with Wesley while we're gone. But I need to organise a meeting with the two of them first."

"I think that's a great idea. She'll be a good influence for Wes...Ezra what are you looking for?"

"Well, you know how I said I knew where my passport was? I don't have a clue."

I laugh, and he shoots me a look. "Okay, not funny, got it."

He smiles at me.

"Let me help you, it has to be around here somewhere," I say. "Have you looked upstairs?"
"No," he replies absentmindedly as he empties yet another drawer filled with paper.

"Should I look?"

"That would be a huge help, thank you." He sighs and walks over to me, hugging me. "Hey."

"Hey," I chuckle.

"Sorry, I'm in a bit of a mess here and I forgot that the world still exists around me."

"It's okay, I'll go and check upstairs. Take a breather, have a cup of coffee or something."

"Okay," he says, kissing me.

I start with his nightstand, but have no luck, so I switch my attention to his wardrobe. I doubt he'll mind me rifling through his clothes pockets, and moving things around to check on the floor. Still nothing. I stand looking around the room, wondering where else to check. I pull his suitcase from underneath the bed, opening up the main compartment and zipping it back up when I find it empty. Then I slide my hand into the front pocket.

"Ezra," I say, walking down the stairs, "I think I found something of yours."

He exhales in relief, and abandons the briefcase he was in the middle of emptying on his desk.

"You should be more careful where you put things." I smile.

"Thank you." He places a drawn-out kiss on my lips.