Chapter 65: Best Birthday Ever
After recovering from the enormity of the meaning behind Zak's gift, I helped him clean up the plates and counter from the desert we had shared, ignoring his insistence that I didn't have to help.
He then got us some drinks, water, as per our usual, and we went out into the back yard, Gracie following close behind us.
Zak knew I didn't drink alcohol, and even though I had told him before that I didn't mind if he did, he insisted it didn't bother him.
I sat down on one of the chairs near the pool, as Zak set our water down on the table. He then hit a switch on the nearby wall, causing some lanterns spread out across the yard to light up.
Along with the clear, starry night sky, it was beautiful.
We had gone out into the back yard on his suggestion.
I assumed he still had some fears about me being in the house for long periods of time, because of his past history with paranormal activity and house guests.
But after seeing the beautiful backyard at night, I didn't regret having agreed to come outside.
I smiled to myself as Zak sat down in a chair next to me.
"So…how about some skinny dipping?" Zak joked, with a smirk on his face.
I laughed.
"Alright, you go ahead," I teased, since he hadn't phrased the question with a "we".
Zak laughed and looked slightly embarrassed.
"Damn, you got me," Zak replied, laughing.
I smiled and took a sip of my water.
Zak looked at me.
"I gotta ask…what got into you today at the photoshoot? You surprised the hell out of me," Zak said.
I felt my face flush a bit at the reminder of the day's events.
"I don't know," I replied softly.
"I was worried all morning you'd have a hard time, or would be upset with the concept of it," Zak admitted.
"I was kind of worried too…but I dunno. With the fangs in and the makeup, I guess I kind of felt like a vampire," I explained.
Zak smirked slightly.
"I posted a shot I took of us with my phone after the shoot on Instagram earlier. At the last time I checked, there was more male comments than I've even gotten before on an Instagram post," Zak teased, laughing.
I laughed despite my embarrassment.
"I really need to start posting more embarrassing crap of you," I replied.
Zak laughed.
"Embarrassing? You were hotter than hell," Zak said.
I smacked his arm jokingly, my face flushing.
I decided to try being more blunt than I normally would have.
"So were you, with you're shirt off and your jeans hanging off your hips, and your fangs in," I replied.
It was Zak's turned to look embarrassed.
I grinned, proud of myself.
"Now that I think about it, I think what got into me today was you-" I said, then immediately realized what I had just said.
Way to go. Really, really bad choice of words, I thought.
I hid my face in my hands.
"Oh fuck," I mumbled at my screw up, but had to laugh.
Zak was laughing.
"You're so cute, doll," Zak said.
"Shut up Bagans," I said, laughing still.
God.
Zak laughed even harder.
Some more time passed, either in peaceful silence, or with Zak and I talking casually about different topics.
Suddenly, I saw him pick up his phone, and I watched him in confusion.
I hadn't heard it ring or signal a new text message.
"I just realized something…" Zak started, as I saw him scanning through something on his phone.
"What?" I questioned.
"I never got the chance to dance with the birthday girl," Zak said, smiling, as he continued swiping a finger across the screen of his phone.
"Oh jeez, you better not pick a fast song. I've had enough of trying to be sexy for one day," I said, laughing.
I also partly didn't want to dance to a fast song after being grabbed at the club, but I didn't want to bring that up again.
Zak laughed.
"You're always sexy, but I don't want to dance to a fast song either," Zak replied, as I saw him pressing one of the buttons on the side of his phone, one that controlled the volume.
I felt my face flush and said nothing.
I saw Zak tap the screen of his phone again, before setting it down on the table.
He then stood up and held a hand out toward me, looking adorably sweet with his glasses and a smile on his face.
I smiled and put my hand in his as I stood up, and let him lead me a few steps away from the chairs, so that we had more room.
As the song started to play, it didn't take me long to recognize it.
"Never Gonna Be Alone" by Nickelback.
Wow…he's really being sentimental tonight, I thought.
Zak continued to hold onto my hand as he bent our arms up so that our hands were roughly at shoulder height, and wrapped his other arm around the middle of my back, pulling me close.
I smiled and wrapped my free arm around him, resting my hand on the back of his shoulder.
Zak smiled at me and started slowly dancing, and I followed his lead.
"Time, is going by, so much faster than I,
And I'm starting to regret not spending all of it with you.
Now I'm, wondering why, I've kept this bottled inside,
So I'm starting to regret not telling all of this to you.
So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know..."
This was so much more enjoyable than being out at a club.
Don't get me wrong, I had had fun out with the others tonight, up until it was ruined by that asshole, but I always felt more content and comfortable when it was just Zak and I.
Zak was watching me intently as he led us in our dance, and I had a strong feeling that every word of this song was coming straight from him.
"You're never gonna be alone
From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall...
You're never gonna be alone
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone."
I smiled to myself as I listened to the lyrics, yet another perfect song choice that explained our feelings perfectly.
"What'cha thinking about, doll?" Zak asked softly.
I smiled a bit.
"I'm thinking about how much I like this side of you," I said softly, deciding to be honest.
Zak smiled, somewhat shyly.
"I don't show it very often. I haven't really had anyone in my life I wanted to show it to…" Zak replied softly.
"And now, as long as I can, I'm holding on with both hands,
'Cause forever I believe that there's nothing I could need but you,
So if I haven't yet, I've gotta let you know..."
I felt Zak's hand on my back move down to my lower back, but still being the perfect gentleman by not moving it down too low.
I also felt him hold me a bit tighter.
I smiled.
I felt like I was dreaming.
"I still find it hard to believe that you think that much about me…" I said softly.
Zak smiled as he shook his head slightly.
"You silly, silly girl," Zak said softly. "I wish you could see yourself like the way I see you," Zak added.
"You're never gonna be alone
From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall...
You're never gonna be alone
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone."
I felt my face flush a bit.
"I see myself a bit better now than I did before I met you…" I admitted shyly.
Zak smiled more brightly.
"I'm glad," Zak said softly, gently squeezing my hand.
I smiled as we continued to dance, and I rested my head gently against his chest and smiled a bit more when I felt his head rest gently against the top of mine.
A few moments passed in silence as we continued to dance, the song continuing to play on, nearing the end.
I found myself never wanting the song to end.
"You're never gonna be alone
From this moment on, if you ever feel like letting go,
I won't let you fall.
When all hope is gone, I know that you can carry on.
We're gonna see the world out,
I'll hold you 'til the hurt is gone."
"I'm so sorry that jerk had to ruin your birthday…" Zak said softly.
I thought briefly before answering.
"I'm not…not fully anyway," I replied softly.
I felt Zak lift his head up, looking down at me in shock.
"You're not?" Zak asked softly, sounding confused.
I lifted my head from his chest to look up at him.
"No," I said softly. "Because it turned into the best birthday I've ever had…" I replied softly, looking into his eyes.
I saw them brighten as he smiled at me.
"That makes me so happy..." Zak replied softly, leaning down and gently kissing my forehead.
I smiled as I closed my eyes, and we continued to dance even after the song ended.
"I'm gonna be there always,
I won't be missing one more day,
I'm gonna be there always,
I won't be missing one more day."