I haven’t talked to Nadia since Saturday morning. After work I paid a little visit to Jonas and made it clear to both him and Lacey that they aren’t to go anywhere near Nadia unless they want the truth about what they did brought to light. Breaking into her house, drugging her—they could get in some serious trouble.
I’ve wanted to call her so bad, but I know she needs some time to cool off. I messed up pretty bad and I understand if she never forgives me for what I did.
When I walk into the classroom, I’m surprised to see she’s already here. More often than not, she’s late.
Lacey is across the room, obeying her orders to stay away. But my eyes are on one person and one person only.
Looking gorgeous as ever, Nadia lifts her head and watches me as I come closer. She’s wearing a yellow sundress with sleeves that hang off her shoulders. Her hair is all up in a bun and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her without her hair down. Her pink blush illuminates her high cheekbones and the smooth skin of her arms shimmer, making it obvious she used some sort of glitter lotion or some shit like that.
“Hey,” she says calmly. As if this entire weekend never happened.
“Hey?” I retort, with a side-eye stare. “How are you?”
“Oh, ya know. Just ready for another wonderful week at CCH.” She closes her open notebook and faces me. “Can we talk later?”
She wants to talk? “Of course. Everything ok?”
“Yeah, everything is good. I just think we have a lot to say to each other and I don’t wanna put it off any longer.”
I’ve always been impulsive, but this one surprises even me. I get to my feet, pulling Nadia up with me, then scoop up our stuff in my other hand.
“What are you doing?” She looks at me in puzzlement.
“We need to talk. Why wait?” I guide her down the row. Eyes dart to us, but it doesn’t stop me.
Nadia giggles in nervousness, but she follows behind me, our hands still connected. “You’re insane.”
“Uh huh, I know.”
Mr. P stands up from his chair. “Back in your seats you two.”
Paying him no attention, we walk out the door into the hallway.
“Oh my god, Zack, this is crazy.”
Picking up our pace, we walk briskly down the hall. My palm hits the door and I push it open. “Come on,” I jog faster to my car before someone tries to stop us.
“You’re gonna get us suspended.”
“Worth it,” I quip.
We finally make it to my car and we both jump in quickly. I don’t hesitate as I shift into drive and whip out of the parking lot.
Nadia tucks one leg under the other and shifts her body to face me as I drive. “Where are we going?”
My shoulders shrug. “I haven’t gotten that far,” I pause for a beat. “I know just the spot.” We were supposed to hang out yesterday, but that all went to shit.
“Maybe we should make this quick so we can finish out the rest of our classes.”
Pressing my lips together, I glance over at her. “Let’s just play it by ear.”
Cruising down the backroads, our bodies sway as the car bounces around from the uneven terrain. “Just a little further,” I tell her, as I swerve to miss a pothole in the middle of the dirt road.
“This is crazy,” she says again as she grabs her phone that’s sitting on top of her notebook. “I’m sure the principal is going to call my parents over this one.”
“Just tell em’ you had a headache.”
“You obviously don’t know my parents.”
We come to a stop at the end of the road. There’s a wide open space and the perfect view of the creek.
“This is beautiful,” she says as we both get out of the car.
We round the side and I set my ass against the heated hood, while she does the same. Putting an arm around her waist, I pull her closer. “I’m sorry for everything. You know that, right?”
“Me too. We were both in the wrong. Mine was less intentional, but it doesn't make it any more right. Ya know?” Her head drops down to my shoulder as her arms cross over her chest.
“Yeah, I guess. I just feel like shit for everything I put you through. I’m actually surprised you even wanted to talk. I had to jump on it before you changed your mind.”
Nadia takes a step out then stands in front of me. She places her hands on either side of my shoulder and our eyes connect. “I forgive you, and I really would love it if we could just move on from all of this.” Her cheekbones raise as she smiles. “There is something about you that draws me in and I really like you, Zack. I shouldn’t, but I do.”
“I feel the same way. I’ve never felt this way before, but I think I like it.” I grab her waist and pull her body flush with mine—our hearts beating life into one another.
So, what now?”
“Now, this.” She grabs my face and pulls my mouth to hers. Our lips connect and our tongues tangle in an explosive uproar. I hold her tighter, firmer, and devour her mouth while my fingers cinch her chin.
A lousy past led me to this perfect moment.
Nadia retreats, leaving me craving more, but the way she’s smiling back at me, I know we will have other opportunities to make out. “So, I talked to my dad last night and he agreed to let you stay in our guest house, if you need a place to stay. What do ya think?”
“Wow.” I run my fingers through my hair. “I was not expecting that.” Stay in their guest house? And her parents agreed to this?
“It sits back on the property. We’d sort of be like neighbors. It’s the least I can do and you deserve to have a little normalcy.”
“I appreciate the offer. I really do, but that’s too much. It wouldn’t be right.” I wish I could suck up my pride and agree because it would definitely make things easier. I’m in no place to start paying bills right now.
“I insist,” she says, before giving me a gentle kiss on the lips. “Besides, what choice do you have?”
It’s true. My options are limited. “Ok, but under one condition. You let me pay your dad rent. It won’t be much right now, but I’m hoping I can pick up more hours at the shop.”
“Deal.” She squeals then claps her hands together in excitement.
“Does this mean I get to see you whenever I want to?”
Her teeth graze her bottom lip. “It means that I get to see you whenever I want to.”
Grabbing her by the waist, I lift her up. Her smile staring back at me and igniting something fresh and new inside of me. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m falling for this girl.
I never want this feeling to end, but something tells me it’s only the beginning of something even more amazing.
Epilogue
Six months later
Nadia
“Zack!” I holler as I hurry down the hallway in his apartment. Swinging open his bedroom door, I throw my body on his. “Wake up.” I give him a few shakes as he grumbles underneath the blanket. “It’s here.”
Those words are all it takes for his body to fly up into a sitting position. He yanks the envelope out of my hand. “Holy shit. I didn’t think I’d be this nervous.”