Chapter 11
Gwen
I’m still waiving the smoke away with a plate when the buzzer rings. He’s here. The entire house smells like burnt food. Why did I let myself get distracted?
I quickly run to the intercom. “Hi… um, come in.”
There’s no way to change plans now. No way to pretend this never happened.
In the distance, I hear Zane’s footsteps approaching in the hallway, so I open the door. His fist is raised mid-knock when I do.
“Hi,” he says with a smile. “Sorry if I’m a little late.”
He’s wearing a navy shirt and looks absolutely incredible, like he just walked out of a magazine.
“No worries at all. Come in,” I say, suddenly realizing I’m still holding the plate.
I quickly head to the kitchen and place it on the counter.
“I brought you a bottle of… Is everything ok here?” Zane asks, glancing around the room. “Did something burn?”
I take a deep breath, trying to stay composed. I am an adult. I can’t let this get to me.
“I tried to make a casserole. I thought it would be fun if we watched Sweet Home Alabama and ate the food that’s in the movie like eating alongside the characters,” I explain. Zane is still scanning the room like he expects a fire to break out any second.
“That’s an amazing idea,” he says, sounding genuinely excited.
“Well, yeah, it was… until I burned the casserole and nearly set my apartment on fire. Sorry, it smells so bad,” I chuckle.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ve smelled worse rooms in college,” he replies.
I can’t help the look of mild disgust that crosses my face.
“Yeah, I probably shouldn’t have said that,” Zane adds quickly, laughing.
He hands me a bottle of wine with a blue butterfly on the label.
“It’s a bottle from France. I wasn’t sure what to bring,” he shrugs.
“You didn’t have to bring anything, but thank you,” I say with a smile, taking it and placing it in the fridge. I don’t usually drink fancy wine, and I hope it’s a good one, not one of those overly dry, sour kinds.
“I really like your place,” Zane says, looking around.
“Thank you,” I reply. “I’m not really sure what to do now… I basically ruined our dinner,” I add with an awkward laugh.
“We could always go somewhere if you’d like,” Zane suggests. “Or we could stay in and order something. There’s a great pizza place nearby that delivers.”
The fact that Zane isn’t particular about what we do or where we go makes me feel like he’s genuinely here to spend time with me, and that makes me nervous. A good kind of nervous, but nervous all the same.
“Your pick,” I say. “I do have dessert if we end up staying in. I made some cakes at the bakery earlier today and brought them home.”
“Pizza and a movie sounds like the perfect date to me,” Zane laughs.
“Alright, I’ll put in the order,” I smile as I grab my phone.
With the window open, it’s a little chilly inside, but at least it’s helping clear the smell from the room.
“Can I get you a drink?” I ask while I type in the restaurant and select the pizza I want.
“Do you have a beer, maybe?” Zane asks, and I reach for one.
“Here, please add anything you like,” I tell him as I hand over my phone.
Zane scrolls through the menu when I hear my phone buzz. He doesn’t say anything, but I’m sure he saw the notification, and I’m silently hoping it isn’t Leo being Leo.
“My pizza is in,” he says with a smile, handing my phone back.
I quickly complete the payment and, once I’m done, check the message I missed. My stomach drops.
TESS: I want to hear all about the bedroom adventures again ;)
Why, of all days, does Tess decide to be funny now?
“I’m not sure if you saw that text, but it’s a weird inside joke,” I explain. “Leo was acting strange, so Tess and I convinced him that more had happened on our first date. I don’t even know why we just went along with it. I’m sorry. This must be really weird.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Zane laughs. “I definitely had a few questions when I saw it, but Leo’s been acting weird around me, too. He really sees you like family, did you know that?”
Zane’s question makes me pause for a moment.
Leo and I have always teased each other like that. It’s actually how I got on the ice and met Zane in the first place.
“Speaking of family,” I say, quickly shifting the conversation, “did your sister arrive safely?”
“She did. Thanks for asking,” Zane smiles as he raises his beer. “Cheers to pizza deliveries.”
“Cheers,” I laugh as our bottles meet.
“You do have to promise me one thing,” Zane says after taking a sip. Only then do I notice how warm my body feels. I always get like this when I’m nervous, and the way the beer goes down only makes it worse. I feel like I’m overheating.
“Promise what?”
“Promise me we’ll try the Sweet Home Alabama and food night again sometime soon. I really love the idea,” Zane says, setting his beer down.
“Only if you warn the fire department before I step into the kitchen,” I laugh.
We chat a bit more about movies we both enjoy. Apparently, we both like Alfred Hitchcock and action films. I also learn that Zane is a huge Pixar fan, and his favorite is The Good Dinosaur, which I find absolutely adorable.
We’re in the middle of debating who played a better Batman when the buzzer rings and the pizza arrives.
We put on Date Night in the background while we eat, since we’ve both seen it enough times to talk through it.
We’re about halfway through the movie when Zane clears his throat.
“You know,” he begins. “I find it strange how I feel extremely comfortable around you, and at the same time, you make me nervous,” he admits with a shy laugh.
“I think I know exactly what you mean. I never burn meals… and look at me,” I say, gesturing toward the kitchen.
“Maybe that’s how you know someone’s good for you,” Zane smiles.
He shifts a little closer on the couch, his hand reaching for my cheek.
“You had a little tomato sauce right there,” he chuckles, gently wiping it away.
“Oh, sorry,” I say, half embarrassed.
“You still looked pretty to me,” Zane adds with a soft laugh as he leans in closer.
From the way he moves, I can tell he’s waiting, giving me space to pull away if I want to. It’s his quiet way of asking permission.
I don’t move.
I don’t pull away.
I want to pull him closer, but instead, I let him come to me.
Slowly, he does.
Zane’s lips brush mine, and a soft sound escapes me before I can stop it.
“We should definitely have pizza more often,” Zane says with a smile as he leans back against the couch.
I don’t want the kiss to end, but I think, just like him, I don’t want to rush this either.
“I’m definitely not opposed to that idea,” I reply. “Let me know when you’re ready for dessert.”
Zane is about to respond when his phone rings.
“It’s my sister, I’m sorry. Do you mind if I take this?”
“Of course not. Go ahead,” I say, starting to clear the pizza boxes from the table.
“Hey, sis,” I hear him say, and it makes me smile. I like that he’s close to his family.
“How’s your date?” Her voice carries faintly through the room.
I try not to listen, but the movie is paused, and my apartment isn’t exactly soundproof.
“Great. What’s up?” Zane replies, clearly avoiding going into detail with me right there.
“I wanted to let you know you should’ve told me your stupid friend Blake has a key to the apartment too. I was in the middle of my rendition of Dolly Parton, when he walked in on me. He’s lucky to still be alive, you know?”
I press my lips together, trying not to laugh.
“I’m so sorry. I completely forgot he was coming by to pick up some spare blades,” Zane says. “I’ll text him not to use his key while you’re there, ok? I have to go, but it won’t happen again.”
They say their goodbyes, and the call ends.
I’m in the kitchen, grabbing us fresh beers, when Zane turns toward me.
“Sorry about that,” he says.
“No worries at all. Family is important,” I smile as he takes the beer from me. “Everything ok?” I ask, pretending I didn’t hear the entire conversation.
“Yeah, just bad timing on my part. Everything’s fine,” he says, slipping his phone back into his pocket.
“I forgot my friend Blake was stopping by to grab some spare blades. He has a key in case I ever lose mine, and I told him to help himself to it. I didn’t realize Lisa would be there, so he basically scared the life out of her,” Zane laughs.
“Poor woman,” I laugh along with him.
“I’m actually not sure if I feel worse for my sister or for Blake,” Zane chuckles, and I find myself wondering what his sister is like.
“It’s really sweet to see how much you care about her,” I say, resting my hand on his knee. Zane glances down at it before placing his hand gently over mine.
“I have a slightly crazy question,” he begins. “There’s a Grizzlies party on Friday. It’s totally Lisa’s kind of thing, so I was planning to take her; it might be a good way for her to meet people in the city. Would you maybe want to come with me?”
The question catches me off guard.
He wants me to be his plus one. To a party. With his team.
“Are you sure?” I ask before I can stop myself.
“What do you mean, am I sure?” he replies, confused.
I hesitate, unsure how to explain what’s going on in my head.
“Would we go as… friends?” I ask carefully.
Zane’s hand shifts slightly on my knee.
“I was hoping you’d be my plus one. My date,” he says.
I suddenly become very aware of how tight my jeans feel and take a slow breath.
“The thought makes me nervous,” I admit, “but I’d really like that.”
His expression softens.
“Is there something I should wear? Or bring?” I add.
“You don’t have to bring anything. The team has a whole party organizer, they’ve got it covered,” Zane laughs. “As for clothes… just wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. I’m pretty sure I like you in anything.”
Just like that, my defenses melt all over again.
I try to picture myself at a hockey party in everything I own, but nothing seems quite right.
“This also means I’d be meeting your sister,” I say out loud.
“I guess it does,” Zane smirks like that might’ve been part of his plan all along.
I can’t help but laugh.
“This whole dating thing is still a little new to me,” I admit, leaning closer. “But I definitely like it.”
Before he can respond, I press a quick kiss to his lips, too fast, too eager, and definitely too hard.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry,” I blurt out immediately. “Did I hurt you?”
“A kiss from you could never hurt,” Zane laughs.
Before I can overthink it, I lean in again, this time softer, slower, letting it linger.
When I finally pull back, the look on his face sends a wave of goosebumps down my arms.
He definitely likes it when I kiss him.
“So it’s confirmed, right?” he asks, a hopeful edge in his voice. “You’re coming to the party?”
I nod without hesitation.
I’m going to the Grizzlies party.
And I’m going to meet Zane’s sister.
Dear Lord… I am absolutely going to need Tess.