Chapter 40: Stay
Scene Setup – Ezra’s living room, transformed into a Set.
The massive living room is dimmed, curtains drawn tight, with warm golden lights repositioned to mimic the glow of grand ballroom chandeliers. A soft, instrumental soundtrack plays through hidden speakers, creating an elegant atmosphere. Furniture has been expertly moved aside, and strategically placed wine glasses and faux event props enhance the illusion of a lavish hotel ballroom.
From behind softbox lights, Shane calls out, holding his camera with authority:
*"Alright. This is your moment. You’re ex-lovers, reunited at an event filled with unresolved passion and desire. Act cool? Not an option—you’ve both been burning for years. Let’s start fresh."*
Ezra and Evie exchange a glance; she raises her brows, lips curling in a nervous smile.
Shane narrows his eyes at them. "Stop overthinking guys, just become your characters," he mutters under his breath.
Ezra positions himself across the room, leaning against the grand piano, which now serves as a makeshift bar. His shirt is intentionally unbuttoned, and his blazer fits impeccably. His expression is unreadable, but the intensity in his eyes sharpens the moment Evie enters.
Dressed in a stunning emerald satin gown that hugs her curves, she radiates elegance, illuminated by the soft lights.
Ezra’s gaze sweeps over her, dark and penetrating as he speaks, his voice low, almost intimate.
**Ezra:"Didn’t anticipate seeing you tonight."**
**Evie** breathes softly, settling into her character.
**Evie:** "Neither was it in my plans." Her tone is flat, lacking conviction.
Shane groans from behind the camera, clearly unimpressed.
**Shane:** "Feel it, Evie! You’re standing in front of the man who shattered you and yet still holds your heart. Ezra, she’s engaged. You’ve lost her—but you can’t let her go again."
**Take Two.**
Ezra’s jaw tightens. He straightens his posture and begins striding confidently toward her, every step deliberate.
**Ezra (with a piercing gaze):**
"You look good. Happy."
**Evie (rolling her eyes, clearly frustrated):**
"You were always a terrible liar."
**Ezra (matching her intensity):**
"And you’re still a terrible pretender."
Evie visibly catches her breath.
**Ezra (after a pregnant pause, his voice steady):**
"How long are you going to lie to yourself? About me? About this?"
Her hand instinctively moves to her engagement ring. Ezra notices, and his gaze lingers before shifting to something harder.
**Ezra (eyes narrowed):**
"You love him?"
**Evie (voice low and firm):**
"I don’t owe you that answer."
**Ezra (his stare unyielding):**
"Then lie. Say yes. I’ll believe you."
She takes a step back. He matches her retreat with unwavering resolve. The room feels increasingly claustrophobic, the air thickening.
**Evie (clenching her fists, her voice rising):**
"You left. You chose your career over us. And now you expect me to make sense of the mess you created?"
**Ezra (quiet yet devastated):**
"You were never a mess."
Silence hangs heavily between them.
**Evie (barely audible):**
"I waited, you know. Far longer than I should have."
**Ezra:**
"And I still wake up expecting to find you beside me."
He reaches out slowly—his fingers brushing her cheek gently, igniting warmth, and her lashes flutter, though she doesn’t pull away.
**Evie (her gaze intensified, determination rising):**
"This can’t happen."
**Ezra (holding her gaze, the tension thickening):**
"Then tell me to stop."
He leans in closer, their lips a breath apart, searching each other’s eyes with an intensity that cannot be denied. His gaze flashes between her eyes and her lush lips. She mirrors his thoughts, wondering if he feels it too.
**Ezra (whispers again):**
"I never stopped wanting you."
With one last glance at her lips, he closes the distance, capturing her mouth in a kiss. She responds, moaning softly as his intensity surges, savagely claiming her lips.
**Shane, voice low yet commanding, finally speaks:**
"CUT." They don’t hear him, bodies pressing closer together, with Evie’s fingers tangling in his hair as Ezra deepens the kiss.
**"CUT!"** Shane raises his voice, startling them into reality. They slowly part, their eyes still locked.
Evie gasps as she pulls away, fixing an accusatory look on Ezra. **"That wasn’t in the script,"** she asserts, irritation mixed with confusion.
Ezra smirks. **"I’m following my script,"** he retorts, an amused glint in his eyes that deepens the flush on Evie’s cheeks.
Shane clears his throat, refocusing their attention. He speaks with the authority of a seasoned director.
*"...Alright. That was... intense."* His eyes shift between the two. *"Great performance; I didn’t know you both had this in you."*
Evie met Ezra’s gaze, her eyes narrowed slightly as he smirked and held her attention for just a moment longer than necessary. She instantly looked away, biting her lips, questioning why he had made that bold move. Surprisingly, she hadn’t pushed him away; deep down, she had wanted him to kiss her back. The intensity of that moment lingered between them like a charged current.
****
It was now just Ezra, Evie, and Shane who headed to the airport together to see Shane off, marking the end of his stay. The atmosphere was bittersweet; they had all grown accustomed to sharing playful banter, annoyance, and laughter. Now, it felt like Shane was taking all of that joy with him.
"Come give me a hug," Shane said, and Evie stepped forward without hesitation, wrapping her arms around him. As he closed his eyes, he made a low noise of satisfaction. "I’ll miss you, Evie." He pulled back, but his expression was lighter. "Don’t worry; I’ll visit again soon."
"I’ll miss you too. Just remember to take care of yourself," she replied, her tone firm.
"Yeah, sure," Shane said with a confident smile before turning to Ezra for their brotherly farewell hug. "I’m sure you’ll be relieved to finally get some peace now that I’m heading out of your hair," he teased.
"Yeah," Ezra replied, not bothering to deny it. "But it was nice having you around," he added with sincerity.
Taking the compliment, Shane grinned. "Yes, I know," he responded smoothly, then leaned toward Ezra, whispering, "You should seize your chance. It’s clear you’re attracted to her."
"I have no idea what you’re talking about," Ezra countered lightly, though Shane’s expression was serious.
"The same goes for you. Go find yourself a woman instead of bouncing around with flings everywhere," Ezra said with an edge.
"I’m not ready for that kind of serious relationship yet," Shane replied, his tone slightly defensive as Evie watched their exchange closely. Shane finally turned to her, giving her a wave. She waved back, and Ezra followed suit as they watched him head toward the plane.
Once they were in the car, with Ezra behind the wheel, Evie sat in the passenger seat, her fingers poised over her phone keyboard. "You said he was leaving, but that happened so fast?" Ruby had sent her a message.
"Yeah, we just saw him off," Evie responded.
Ruby sent a sad emoji. "I wish I’d had more time with him."
Eyeing her phone, Evie raised an eyebrow. "But you were too shy; you probably didn’t even get his number," she prodded.
"I never got the chance! I was waiting for the perfect moment," Ruby admitted, disappointment evident in her voice.
"The right moment has clearly passed," Evie said. "Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Or perhaps someday you guys will cross paths again under better circumstances," Evie suggested to soothe her friend.
"Maybe," Ruby replied. "Or perhaps idols should just remain idols."
Evie felt a strong urge to type something but deleted it, turning off her phone and letting out a sigh. She stared out the window, lost in thought. "What’s wrong?" Ezra asked, glancing at her.
"Nothing," she replied, though the tone in her voice hinted otherwise.
"You’ve sighed at least a hundred times already," Ezra remarked, giving her a scrutinizing look before turning back to the road.
Evie chuckled softly, "You’re exaggerating."
"Are you really missing Shane already?" Ezra probed.
"He was fun to be around, cool and friendly... It’d be a lie if I said I’m not already missing him. I just don’t want to think about heading back to that house without him there to jump scare me," she explained, her eyes brightening at the memory.
Ezra’s grip tightened on the steering wheel for just a moment before he regained his composure. When he looked at Evie again, she was staring out the window, her face lacking its usual spark. "I can be fun too," he said suddenly.
Evie turned to him, skepticism etched across her face. "You?" she questioned incredulously.
The corners of his mouth lifted as he flashed a grin. "Yeah. I can tease you, annoy you—whatever you want."
Evie snorted, shaking her head. "Don’t make me laugh."
"I’ll show you what I’m capable of," Ezra said, his gaze lingering on her. "If you give me the chance."
She held his gaze steadily, a serious expression replacing her smile. As the car continued down the highway, they were jolted from their moment when a truck honked loudly.
Ezra swore under his breath as he jerked the steering wheel, and Evie quickly averted her gaze, her heart racing in her chest.
Finally, they arrived home, just as they expected: quiet. "Welcome back, master," Sam greeted them, bowing to Ezra before acknowledging Evie with a nod as she and Ezra walked in, Ezra leading the way.
Once upstairs, Evie paused, and Ezra turned to face her. "Now that Shane is gone, I’m going to return to my room," Evie stated, her gaze locking onto his.
He closed the distance between them, and Evie held her breath, a mixture of anticipation and resolve in her eyes as she tried to gauge his next move. "Stay," he said, his voice steady.
"I want you to stay," he added, making his intentions clear.