38. Zayn
Zayn
If someone told me going into this contract with Starlet PR that I would end up finding the person that was made for me, I would have laughed in their face, gave them the middle finger, and left.
This year has changed me. Annie has changed me. Now I’m not sure what’s going to happen in the next couple of weeks, but I almost want to pretend that nothing will and that we will continue to be whatever we are to each other.
I want to pretend that we are in this forever and no distance can stop that.
I'm afraid if we start to talk about the end of our relationship, we risk losing what we have. If we acknowledge this is almost over, the anxiety of that stop date would consume us like a wildfire. If New York is the only option for Annie, she needs to take it. I’m not going to be the one to hold her back.
I won’t do that to her. After Thanksgiving, we will talk about it.
But for now, we have a great Sunday night ahead of us at the club.
I’m glad this is the last event before a short week. Part of me forgot that becoming part of the board for the association includes attending one or two events a week during the spring and fall fundraising seasons.
Tonight’s event is different from the gala last Tuesday.
Typically a charity night consists of dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, and maybe dancing.
There’s a large guest list, lots of reporters, and many pictures taken because of that.
It’s more of a marketing event to help future charity nights.
Tonight is the opposite. It’s a smaller, more intimate list. That’s because of how much each ticket costs.
Each person pays $10,000 minimum, with the option to donate more.
Overall, the event will bring in close to one million dollars and fund the next round of internships for a group of one hundred kids.
I will mentor ten of those kids myself as part of me being back on the board. It’s important for me to go to this event tonight, to show Annie that I’m serious about improving my image and getting back into giving back to the local community.
When Annie was trying to figure out what to wear tonight, I had to give in and show her the closet of dresses that I’ve been storing.
“Zayn Barnes, how dare you Jane Nichols me,” was her exact wording, and I have never been more confused in my life. She told me that our next date night will end with us watching 27 Dresses and then I’d understand. “You’re lucky that all of these are cute at least and not horrendous.”
She seemed mad when I showed her the closet, but the sparkle in her eyes told me a different story.
For tonight, she chose a floor-length satin blue dress, no slit this time.
She paired it with a simple rose gold necklace that rests right on her collarbones.
Her hair is pinned half up, letting a few curled pieces frame her face.
Then, to top it off, she’s wearing a red lip, which is my kryptonite.
I picture those red lips wrapped around my cock. Her head moving slowly up and down my length. Her pretty eyes meeting mine with every stroke.
“Ready?” Annie looks at me, pulling me out of my fantasy.
The car just pulled up to the club, and I already hear the chatter of cameras and fans outside. The closer we get to the end of the year, and the more articles are published about Annie and I, the more I’ve noticed people around just to see me.
“Ready.” I grin.
“I didn’t expect this many people to be here,” Annie says once we get inside the club.
Lit with various shades of red light, Moonlight Club is known for hosting private events for celebrities.
“Todd has a lot of connections around the city,” I say.
“And I’m sure you rejoining the board has helped,” Annie says, smiling and waving at people as we make our way to the bar.
My hand is pressed on her lower back, guiding her. We stop twice to shake hands with top donors.
What should be a one-minute walk turns into a five-minute walk, and I’m already grumbling under my breath.
“How long do we need to stay?” I ask Annie as we reach the bar.
“At least two hours.”
“Anyone specific we need to talk to?”
“Did you not read my email?” Annie asks, her brows raised.
The bartender comes over, and Annie orders us both their mocktail special.
“I did not read your email.” I grimace.
She sighs, but in a way that I know she’s not annoyed with me. “Well, we need to talk to Todd. And I want to make sure I say hi to James.”
“Right, that makes sense.”
“And there’s a reporter from the Daylight Digest that we need to talk with.” Annie takes a sip of her drink and says, “This is good. I think it has lime in it.”
“Mm, lime and pineapple? I think? It is good,” I say, taking a sip of my own drink. “Anyway, is that it?” I turn around, resting my back on the bar so I can survey the room. The dance floor is mostly occupied.
“That’s it.”
So that’s what we do for the next hour. People like to talk.
I don’t. With Todd, the conversation is easy.
We speak about the holiday event coming up, how the previous event was, how the current event is going, and that’s basically it.
Annie talks with James, and every time I look in her direction, she has a wide grin and laughs at whatever they’re talking about.
Then comes the reporter. Annie helps answer questions or fills in the blanks when it comes to what I’ve been up to, how things are going, if there are any upcoming projects.
I’m still having a hard time getting back into answering questions about myself since being used to shutting down and shutting people out. It’s something I’m working on.
“I think I’m all talked out,” Annie says as we find ourselves sitting at a booth after talking to the reporter.
“You’re telling me. This is basically my version of hell.” I pull at the collar of my shirt, more than ready to take it off.
“I know how to make it better.” Annie glances my way with a mischievous smirk.
“Oh yeah?” I rest my elbow on the table in front of us, and my head follows, resting on my palm as I watch Annie. “How’s that?”
“Come with me.”
Annie slides out of the booth and holds her hand out. “We talked to everyone, and we have about an hour before we can leave without being noticed.”
“Okay,” I say, not sure where she’s going with this. But I’d follow Annie anywhere.
Annie leads us through the clusters of people, not pausing for anyone this time. I thought she might stop on the dance floor, but as we get further to the other side of the room, I’m less sure where she’s going with this. Then, she stops.
We’re in the back corner of the room, still on the dance floor but as far away from people we can get without leaving.
Annie stands on her tiptoes and leans into me, whispering in my ear, “Let’s dance, Z.”
The slow beat echoes in my ears as I grab Annie’s hand and bring it to my chest. I reach for her other hand and interlace our fingers, one by one, taking my time to feel our pulses merge into one. Annie’s head rests on my chest as we sway to the music.
When I’m with Annie, I feel whole, complete, at ease. Even though we may not have forever, I know that I wouldn’t have traded these last few months for anything. She made me feel again. There aren’t enough thank you cards in the world to repay her.
The slow rhythm continues, pumping into our chests, playing alongside our heart beats. The music shifts into a faster beat, and I pull away from Annie, lifting our connected hands in the air.
Annie twirls in a circle and I tug her back to me, moving our hips more quickly than before. A grin blooms on her face, and I’ve fallen in love all over again. I lift our hands and she twirls, this time twice.
Laughter explodes from us as we collide. I grab her other hand and continue dancing with her, pulling us in opposite directions, twirling her in more circles, pretending like I know what I’m doing.
She doesn’t care though. She’s here, laughing, being an awful dancer alongside me. The heat of the club rises around us as the music plays, and we dance until we are both out of breath.
For some reason, when I pictured dancing with Annie again, I thought of something more slow and sensual.
But this is better than I could have dreamed.
Seeing her eyes crinkle, the small dimple that appears as she grins, and the way she bites her lips to stifle more laughter is enough for me to know this is a core memory.
When I pull her back to me, I kiss her forehead, lingering for a moment longer, not wanting to let her go. Not wanting tonight to end. Not wanting to leave our small bubble and visit my family in a few days. But, there’s no avoiding that. It’s time I confronted my brother.