6. Zayn
Zayn
The car slows in front of Annie’s apartment a few minutes prior to four. Lifting slightly off the seat, I take my phone from my back pocket to send a text to let her know I’m here.
A few moments later, the sound of the door handle clicking open breaks my attention from my phone. I’m about to say hello, except my words get stuck in my throat.
She alluded to the fact that she was wearing a dark green dress, but for some reason, I didn’t picture this .
Maybe I didn’t want my mind to wander, to let thoughts of her invade even more.
Thinking back to earlier, I could have asked her for a picture to prepare myself for the way she looks tonight.
The dress is tight around her hips and flows, with a high slit on her left leg, toward the floor.
Only held up by a pair of skinny straps, the front of the dress droops in a low swoop, giving me enough of a view of her chest that I feel the front of my pants tighten.
Get a grip.
I’ve seen plenty of beautiful women in dresses. None of them caused my breath to hitch like Annie does.
From first glance, her hair appears to be a shade of medium-roasted coffee beans, but when light shines on it, you realize between the shades of brown, there are tones of caramel and raw sienna.
And her eyes. Don’t get me started on her eyes.
They’re a deep blue, with specks of gold, and remind me of mornings spent at the beach, when things were better.
Annie slides in beside me, and I’m overwhelmed with smells of cinnamon and honey. She smells like a goddamn bakery and I’m trying hard not to wonder if she tastes like one too.
“Hi, excited for tonight?” Annie asks. If she notices me lost in her aura, she doesn’t say anything.
She tugs down her dress, shifting back in the seat, but keeping her hands by the slit of fabric.
Her bottom lip is lost under her teeth as her focus remains on her leg, which is now bouncing up and down.
“Not really,” I answer honestly.
“It’ll go by fast. We just need to stay at James’ house for an hour, and then we can head to the gala.”
The car remains silent as we drive over to her friend's house.
“Is he a close friend of yours?” I ask.
“Their pronouns are they and them, just an FYI. But yes, more like a mentor and a friend. They’ve worked at Starlet for over a decade.”
“Got it.”
Does Annie have other friends? Or does she spend most of her time at the office? She seems like the type of person to let herself be overworked, tied to her job more than she should be, which would explain why someone she works with would invite her over.
“They got married recently and it was kind of my doing, them meeting, so I’d be in trouble if I didn’t make an appearance.”
I open my mouth to ask a question, but shut it, not feeling up to conversing at the moment.
We stay silent for the rest of the drive until we reach James’ neighborhood.
It’s nestled on the north side of the city, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
As we drive down the main road toward the house, cars line the street on both sides.
“How big is this party?”
Annie rolls her eyes. “Knowing James and Todd, they invited the entire city of Los Angeles. They love welcoming people into their home.”
Not exactly the kind of event I was hoping for before the gala. I was wishing for a quiet evening. Instead, I’m walking into a home where I’ll know no one and be forced to make small talk.
Wait a minute.
“Did you plan this on purpose?”
“Hm?” Annie’s gaze snaps to mine.
“Did you know it would be busy and force me to practice small talk with people? Is this supposed to help me prep for the gala?”
Her eyebrows narrow for a moment. If I blinked, I would have missed it.
“Maybe,” is the only word that leaves her mouth as we pull up beside the house in question.
“Stay there.” I scowl at Annie as she reaches for the door. “Wait for me.” She glares back, then opens the door.
This woman.
I exit the car, not bothering to thank the driver, and step in front of Annie.
“What was that?” I ask, my tone a little louder than I intended.
“I don’t answer to you, Zayn.”
Fuck, her attitude. I clench my hand and let it go, then follow it with a deep breath.
Annie, on the other hand, doesn’t seem bothered by this at all. She beams at me, then turns toward the house and starts walking. My attention is on the concrete as we approach the door.
“Annie, I was so happy when James told me you were coming.”
I know that voice.
My eyes snap to a man that I’ve spent a lot of time with. Someone that was a mentor to me before I fell off the face of the earth and stopped answering his phone calls.
“Todd, I wouldn’t have missed it.” Annie steps over the threshold as Todd pulls her into a hug. I look at the bunches of flowers by the door.
“Todd, this is—”
“Zayn,” Todd interrupts, and it catches Annie off guard.
“Todd.” I nod. I didn’t think anything when Annie told me about James and Todd. Todd is a common name; it could have been any of the million Todds in the world. Of course it had to be this Todd, the event manager of the Young Actors Association.
“You two know each other?” Annie asks with a look that I can’t quite read. Worried maybe? Definitely surprised.
“Why don’t you two come in and grab something to drink?” Todd takes a step back, avoiding Annie’s question, and opens the door wider, revealing a room full of people.
I follow Annie in, dipping my head again to Todd as I pass, and continue to trail her as she snakes through the room.
We walk through the living room first, a room with two couches and maybe a chair or two, though it’s hard to tell with people standing around, their chatter echoing from the walls and blending with the house music playing over a speaker. I keep my head down.
The kitchen is in the back of the house. When we get there, Annie greets James, pulling them into a hug.
“You’re here. Late, but here.” James teases Annie, shoving her shoulder gently.
“I said I’d make an appearance, didn’t I?” Annie grins and my heart stutters, seeing her liven up around people she loves.
“James, meet Zayn. Zayn, James.”
James reaches out their hand toward mine, so I lean forward and shake it. “It’s nice to officially meet you,” James says.
I slowly nod and form a thin-lipped smile.
“So, how does Todd know Zayn?” Annie looks at me now, and I’m about to answer, but Todd slides in between her and James, throwing his arm around them.
“Young Actors Association. I joined as the event manager after I stopped working at Flora.”
“Why do I not remember this?” Annie asks.
“Because you never hang out with us outside of work, little bird. Hard to keep you updated,” James says.
Annie’s face falls, but she picks it back up with a smile. “I’m working on it. Why aren’t you going to the gala tonight?” Annie turns to Todd.
“They don’t need me. My team has it handled. It’s a smaller event, so I’m not worried. This was the only weekend we could have our celebration event before we enter the busy fundraising season.”
I look around the kitchen, trying to spot something to drink or maybe something to snack on. Anything to keep my mind off of Todd, and the Young Actors Association, and Annie. Also the fact that we are severely overdressed, and I don’t need to give more people a reason to look at or talk about me.
“Well, lucky you.” Annie loops an arm through mine and I stiffen, not expecting the touch.
I glance down and find her eyes soft, watching my reaction. Her breath hitches at the same time mine does, and for a moment I wonder what it’d be like to take her on a proper date. The moment is quickly squandered when she continues talking and I’m reminded why we are here.
“We are going to grab a drink and mingle a little before we head out. I’ll find you before we leave to give hugs.”
Annie starts walking, and since we’re intertwined, I follow. She hands me a lemon seltzer, takes one for herself, then guides me back to the living room before turning to the left and heading into a room off to the side.
This room must be their library. Books are stacked on a coffee table in the center of the room, a couch behind that, and then two giant bookcases on either side of the room. Annie flicks on the light like she’s done it a million times and takes a seat on the couch.
“I figured this room might be a bit quieter,” Annie says as she pops the tab on her seltzer.
“Didn’t you want us to mingle?” I open my drink and take a sip, plopping down next to her.
She shakes her head. “No, I want to ask you some questions. You can mingle with me.”
I want to do a hell lot more with her.
“A question for a question,” I propose, figuring it’s a good time to learn a little bit about her on my terms.
Annie sizes me up like she’s wondering if I’m serious.
“Fine. I’ll go first,” she says. “Why are there so few interviews with you from the past year?”
Starting with a basic question, easy. “I didn’t want to be interviewed and stayed away from events. How long have you worked at Starlet?”
She takes a sip, then licks her bottom lip. Fuck .
“Three years as a paid intern. Why do you stay away from events?”
“My ex attends them. How serious were you and Dan?” If she’s going to inquire about my personal life, that gives me permission to do the same.
“Serious enough to move in together, I suppose.” She barks out a laugh before shaking her head. “But not serious enough apparently. Are you two close?”
I ignore the urge to pry for more information. “No, haven’t been for a while. No real reason, we just don’t talk much.”
“Ah,” Annie says, leaning back into the couch.
I do the same, turning slightly to face her.
“Are you with anyone now?”
“Are you coming on to me, Zayn?” Annie flutters her lashes, exaggerating each blink.
“You can’t answer a question with a question,” I say.
“No, Zayn, I’m not with anyone. Do you think my job allows time for someone in my life?”