“So, have I passed your other qualifications?” We were walking back to the strip after spending some time at the park. The strip was crowded and I kept a hand on her waist as we walked. “One. Yes.” I chuckled. “How many qualifications are there?” “Five, actually. Need to have four out of the five to even be considered.” She laughed as she walked, moving us through the crowd seamlessly. “What are the five? You said looks, which I passed with flying colors.” Stopping and moving back toward the wall, she raised an eyebrow. “Flying colors? Aren’t we a little full of ourselves.” “What? If there’s one thing I’m confident in…” “Features given to you by your mom and dad that you literally did nothing to control? Geez, have a little more self-worth, why don’t you.” My mouth fell open. Her mouth quirked up and she started to laugh. She pressed her back against the wall and shook her head. “You pretty boys all think you’re the fucking tits and it makes me laugh.” “You think I’m pretty
I looked down at the coffee in front of me. One cream, one sugar poured into it. It was getting cold, but I couldn’t take my mind away from her. Jason was droning on about his escapades with three of the bridesmaids in his suite on the other side of the table. Reaching out, I grabbed the mug of coffee and took a sip. “Dude, what is up with you today? It’s like you’re not even here.” Smiling, I looked up at Jason who was glaring at me. “Chill, dude. I think I got like two hours of sleep.” “Not at this hotel you didn’t. I checked. Where the hell have you been? You dipped out of the club, and I didn’t see you until this morning. Doing a walk-o-shame into your suite.” “If I’m doing a walk of shame, then you know exactly where I have been. Don’t pretend like you want to know the details about my night.” I shook my head and took another sip. Jason harrumphed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Was it that one girl? What was her name?” “Evie. Her name was Evie.” His eyebrows shot up.
Evie’s eyes widen a bit as the words left my mouth. “Z…” “Tell me you don’t feel it. Tell me it’s just me and I’ll leave now.” “And if…if I do feel it? The pull? The need?” I stared at her for a few moments without saying a word. Leaning in, I kissed her lips gently, barely pressing against them. As I leaned back, I smiled. “Take responsibility. Remember, you’re the adult in this. I will defer to my elders.” Her surprise was quickly replaced by laughter. “As you wish.” She said before standing up, out of my view. As she walking down the aisle, I got to see her in the bridesmaid dress. It was soft lavender and in a very Grecian looking style. There were braided ties that held up the dress and crossed around the back. She walked up to the alter and headed to the far left. Her eyes caught mine and she winked. I watched as she picked up a violin that was plugged into a small amp on the deck. Placing the instrument at her neck, she started to pick at the strings and make adjustments
Leaning against the Corvette, I waited for Evie. After playing the first dance for the bride and groom, she told me to wait outside and we could leave together. Jacket off and put in the trunk, I had my sunglasses back on. The front door opened and I inhaled sharply. Evie bounded out in white jeans that were slightly distressed. The top, or lack thereof, was a black tube top that was a second skin on her already tanned skin. “Come on, pretty boy, pick that jaw off the ground and let’s go!” The smirk played on her lips and she hopped over the side of the Corvette without even opening the passenger door. Shaking my head, I got in the driver’s seat and started up the engine. Evie squealed and as we pulled out, she refused to stop laughing. She stood up, putting her arms up as the wind blew around her. Taking out my phone, I snapped a quick picture of her. This was the third photo I had taken, and I never took photos. “Where are we headed?” She asked as she plopped down in the seat. I
Why am I so fucking nervous? I wiped my palms on a chair before lacing my fingers together. Evie had yelled at me ten minutes before to stop pacing, so I sat down but now I was stuck. Taking deep breaths, I tried to calm myself. Red carpets, charity auctions, tv interviews and I was never as nervous as I was now. Looking at my watch, we were already 10 minutes late. “Evie, we needed to leave like…20 minutes ago.” “Z, you ask me to hurry up one more time, I’m gonna make you go in there alone.” My heart sank and I shut my mouth. Leaning my head back on the chair, I closed my eyes trying to think of something else. Four days. Four days since the wedding. Three from when Jason yelled at me when I said I wasn’t coming back with him to New York. In all my years being his friend, I don’t think I had seen him that angry. I didn’t bother trying to explain, though. He wouldn’t understand. Probably the only person who would have understood would have been my grandfather. “Alright. We can go n
The party settled down a bit after everyone ate. Ron was sitting to my right, Evie to my left. She had little Nevaeh, which I learned was heaven spelled backwards, asleep on her lap. Stella was next to her and they were chatting quietly as we listened to the band play. Some of her cousins apparently were part of a famous band and they played while people danced. It was now nearing 10:00 p.m. but the music was still lively and people still continued to dance. “¿Mija, cantarás para nosotros esta noche?” [Daughter, will you sing for us tonight?] I turned to looked at Evie who was blushing. “I don’t think so.” “¿Por favor?” [Please?] Stella looked at Evie, who was shaking her head. “Evie, canta para tu madre. Sabes que a ella le encanta.” [Evie, sing for your mother. You know she loves it.] I regarded Ron with a curious look. “What’s she asking?” “She wants Evie to sing. The girl has a beautiful voice. I wish she would have continued her musical career after her father died, but noth
I looked at the woman perched on the top of the chair. I chuckled and brought my phone up, snapping a picture of her. She was leaning over, looking at her phone that was on the table. My shirt was huge on her and it slipped down off her shoulder, her hands disappearing in the long sleeves. Holding up my phone again, I waited until she looked up at me and smiled. Snapping another photo, I put my phone down. “What do you want to do today?” She hummed, tapping her finger against her lips. Or she would have, but instead the long sleeve of my shirt swayed slightly as she tapped it to her lips. “I’m not sure. We could go out to the fountains again. That was fun. If we take a hat, your guitar, and my voice, we could make some money!” Shaking my head, I leaned back against the headboard and opened my arms to her. She quickly got out of the chair and crawled across the bed, settling against me. Burying my face in her shoulder and hair, I shook my head again. “No people today.” “It’s suc
“Premium Outlets? Isn’t that a contradiction?” Evie threw her hands up. “Alright, Mr. Rich. You know, normal people don’t just rent out an entire store for their pleasure.” “I’ve only done that three times. Jason usually is the one who decides every three months he wants a whole new wardrobe.” She turned and looked at me, I figured to see if I was kidding. She inhaled. “I was joking but you aren’t, are you?” Shaking my head, I pushed my sunglasses up on my head. “So where are we going to find some clothes in this place?” “Oh god, what have I gotten myself into?” She groaned, but grabbed my hand, pulling me up to a directory. “Let’s see what they have here.” “Isn’t Levi’s a jeans brand?” I pointed to a store name. She nodded. “But they are kind of on the pricey side…” Her voice trailed off. “Evie.” She didn’t hear me, still looking over the map. “Evie!” Evie jumped and looked up at me. “What?” “Levi’s is fine.” Blinking a couple times, I saw a blush creep across her face. “