Brazilians and Bikinis
1091 Words
The days flew by until the one came when Ezra’s parents were due home.
“Are you sure I look okay?” Lari asked nervously.
“You look perfect—beautiful.” Ezra stood behind her, watching her reflection in the mirror. He wanted so badly to pull her close, to feel her lips against his. But she hadn’t made the first move, so he stayed behind the invisible line he’d drawn for himself.
The doorbell rang, a bright chime echoing through the house. Lari stiffened, worried about what they’d think—a strange girl wearing their daughter’s clothes, living with their son for the past week.
Ezra went to open the door, and Lari followed a few steps behind, her sweaty hands clasped behind her back.
A beautiful couple stood on the doorstep. The man was a middle-aged version of Ezra, with a sterner nose. The woman had warm amber eyes and bleached-blonde hair. She smiled when her gaze landed on Lari’s small frame behind her son.
“A girl!” Maria exclaimed, glancing at her husband.
He raised a thick brow before giving Lari a polite nod.
“Hi,” Lari squeaked, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.
“This is Alara—Lari,” Ezra said, stepping aside as his parents entered.
Maria practically dropped her Gucci handbag to the floor before rushing forward to embrace Lari.
“Oh, thank God! We’ve needed another woman in the house,” she said warmly, wrapping her arms around the girl. Lari froze, surrounded by the soft scent of vanilla.
“Mum—Jesus—give her some space,” Ezra groaned.
“Oh, alright.”
“So… she’s your…?” Matteo asked carefully. He knew his son’s history with girls and wasn’t sure what this was.
“She’s staying for a while, if that’s okay,” Ezra said confidently, though Lari paled at Matteo’s expression.
“Dad, can I talk to you for a second?” Ezra motioned toward the living room.
“I told him I shouldn’t stay without you knowing,” Lari murmured to Maria once they left. “I just didn’t have much choice.”
“Oh, honey, it’s fine,” Maria promised. “But I might just check on the boys. I’ll be right back.”
She found them in the kitchen.
“Her father didn’t let her take anything?” Matteo asked, stunned.
“Yeah,” Ezra said, leaning against the counter. “He even tried to take her phone, but she still has it. He doesn’t know where we live.”
“Ezra, I hope you’ve been kind to her,” Maria said knowingly. She wasn’t as clueless as her husband and son thought. She knew about the parties, the girls—this one was different.
“Of course, Mum,” Ezra rolled his eyes, then turned to his father. “So, can she stay in the granny flat?”
“Well, we don’t really know her yet,” Matteo said, looking to his wife. “How about we take her with us on the family holiday? We’ll get to know her better.”
Ezra nodded thoughtfully. “She doesn’t have a passport, so we can’t go overseas.”
“That’s fine,” Maria said, eyes lighting up. “We could go on that Great Barrier Reef cruise! I’ll take her shopping for swimsuits!”
“There you are!” Maria said brightly, finding Lari sitting on the bench by the entryway. “We’ve decided you’re coming with us on a little cruise! You’ll need some bathing suits and dresses, so you’re coming shopping with me.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden—and I can’t afford to pay you back,” Lari said softly.
“Psh! It’s a gift, darling, in a time of need,” Maria waved off her concern.
To live like that, Lari thought—to never worry about money.
“Oh, this is gorgeous—you have to try it on!” Maria gushed, holding up a racy black bikini.
“I—um—I’ve never worn a bikini before,” Lari said, blushing.
Maria smiled warmly. “Darling, even if you don’t show me, just try it on. You might surprise yourself.”
“I just meant…” Lari hesitated. “I haven’t really, uh, maintained the way people do when they wear those.”
Understanding dawned on Maria. “Ah, I see. Well then—to the spa we go!” She dropped the swimsuit and took Lari by the arm, leading her down the street.
“I just love the spa, don’t you?” Maria said cheerfully.
“I’ve never been before,” Lari admitted.
“Oh, come on—you’ve done a little spa day at home with your mum before, right?”
Lari bit her lip. “I’ve never met my mum.”
Maria faltered, unsure what to say. Thankfully, they’d arrived.
“Hello, ladies—how can I help you today?” the receptionist asked.
Maria turned to Lari and whispered, “Would you like a Brazilian?”
Lari froze.
“There’s no need to be embarrassed—I’ve had it done hundreds of times,” Maria said kindly.
“Uh—yeah, okay. Whatever you think’s best,” Lari stammered.
By the end of the day, Lari didn’t have a single hair out of place. Her skin was smooth as a seal, her nails long and polished in French tips, and Maria’s car was half-full of shopping bags.
“Have fun?” Ezra asked as they returned, watching his mum drop an avalanche of bags into Lari’s room.
“Yes! It’s been so nice having someone to shop with,” Maria smiled, waving as she left them alone.
“Your mum’s very… open,” Lari laughed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Ezra teased, eyes glinting.
“Nothing,” she said quickly, cheeks flushed. “She’s just… very generous.”
Ezra stepped closer, drawn in by her warmth.
“Will you sleep in my room tonight?” he asked quietly.
“Definitely not.”
“Why not?”
“Because your parents are here! They’ll think I’m a slut.”
“They’d never think that,” Ezra said.
“Because I’m not hot?” she half-joked.
“You’re hot to me.” His eyes swept over her—her curves, her soft edges.
“Don’t be stupid.”
He swallowed hard and forced himself to walk away before he did something he couldn’t take back.
- Writer
