Ch-2
The next day was a Saturday.
I can't stop thinking about the man I met the night before; Zack. We didn't really talk much more after deciding to meet for coffee today, just the basics; how old we were and the like. Noticing the time I start slowly getting out of bed and into the shower. For a moment while conditioning I stop and worry about the possibility of Zack not showing up. Then I think back to our parting and the look in his eyes when he said he "couldn't wait for tomorrow". Perhaps I'm being a little too optimistic, but I think he's looking forward to seeing me too.
Changing several times, I finally decide on a soft blue wrap dress with some chocolate brown boots. Leaving my hair naturally wavy down my back I think I look pretty good. Adding a little eyeliner, mascara, and lip-gloss I finally deem myself done. Grabbing my cashmere shall and my brown leather satchel, I'm out the door and on my way to meet Zack.
Walking into the 'Royal Dinner', I spot Zack immediately. Wearing some dark wash jeans and a gun metal grey button down with the sleeves rolled up. He smiles when he sees me. I can't help but think he's even better looking when he smiles. I make a pact with myself on the spot that I'm going to do everything possible to keep a smile on his face. "Hi" he says to me, I notice he sounds out of breath. I get this warm feeling inside of me at the idea that I take his breath away. "You look beautiful" he continues, with a look of admiration. "Thank you Zack" I say as I feel my cheeks turning rosy. "You look very handsome yourself" I say. For a moment I don't think he believes me, but staring into my eyes, he must have seen my sincerity, for his smile grows bigger.
Sitting down at a little table in the back, away from most of thehustle and bustle; we both order some coffee and croissants. Making small talk, I start a game of twenty questions. "What's your Favorite color?" "caeruleus, you?" he answers. I am very much aware that caeruleus is the Latin name for dark blue, and I can only wonder if he said that based on my eye color. It was hard not to notice that his gaze had yet to falter from my eyes."Today I find that my favorite color is castaneus (chestnut brown)" incidentally the same color of his eyes. We keep our staring contest going till our game is over and we really should be leaving. As we go to get up I realize that he had been holding my hand since we'd finished our croissants and started talking about our families. His hand is soft, with long fingers. I wonder if he's ever played the piano. My grandmother always said it's a sin to have fingers like that and not play. Coincidently, I have been in music class since I was 5. "Are you musically inclined?" I ask as we start walking down the street aimlessly; still holding hands. "I was a singer during my childhood; my parents saw it as a way to help me integrate socially". "I always found the better I got at any talent, the more envious my peers would get, leaving me with very few friends" I couldn't help but saying. "Yes, although I gained acclaim with the parents of my peers, my mother said that the children were jealous and I shouldn't worry about it". "Your mother sound like a very smart woman" I say smiling. "She is above average intelligence, yes". He stops and looks at me seriously and says the last thing I expect "She would really like you".
I can't really fathom why. "And why would your mother like me?" And then he makes me melt. "Because you make me happy, my mother would like you because you make me happy". I'm not sure how to reply. I decide on the truth. I squeeze his hand and look deeply into his eyes and say "You make me happy too".
His face then splits into a heart-stopping smile that I feel mirrored on my own face. He leans in and kisses my forehead. In that moment I feel cared for, cherished, and dare I say it, loved.