"Oh, yeah. I'll do one with you."
I go up to tell Helize goodbye before I go. When I tell her what happened, she shocks me by cackling her head off. I don't know what's so funny about a naked old man falling on and crushing her favorite flower. That woman has a weird sense of humor.
I get in my car and text Zane:
Me: I got hurt at work. :(
Zane: Are you okay? What happened?
Me: Old guy fell on me. I'm ok. Good news is I get a 3 day wknd--no school on Monday, either!
He doesn't text me back, so I start my car and head home. Minutes later, my phone beeps with an incoming message. I check it while waiting for the light to change.
Zane: I'm coming to get you now. Plan on staying with me for those days.
My heart lurches excitedly in my chest. He wants me to stay with him! Hell, yes!
On the way home, I think up a suitable lie to tell Mom. She fusses over me when I explain why I'm home so early, trying to get me to go lie down in bed. I tell her about my plan to spend three days with Rachel (yeah, that one) and her family in L.A., and she insists I should stay home and rest instead. Feeling horrible, I tell her I'm fine, and I'm really, really excited to go. Then she relents, and even tells me I should visit Zane while I'm there. That has me erupting into hysterical giggles.
I pack maniacally fast, throwing my best underwear and my most favorite outfits into my bag. Then I take a long and thorough shower. Tonight might be the night! I make sure to take care of all my shaving issues.
When I'm certain I'm shiny and silky smooth, I hop out of the shower and put on the daring purple lingerie Zane bought for me. I haven’t even tried it on until now, and I have to say, I’m very happy with how it looks on me. I slip on my pink Hawaii shirt and my best pair of jeans over the lingerie, then it's time for makeup.
I text Zane to meet me at Lauren's apartment. He texts me back, saying he’s twenty minutes away. Ugh, he must’ve sped like crazy. He might even beat me there. I stick my bracelet in my jacket pocket so I can put it on once I'm outside, grab my bag, and fly down the stairs.
I just barely have time to explain things to Lauren when there’s a knock on her door. Shaking her head, she opens the door to Zane, who looks ridiculously sexy and dangerous in his black leather jacket and faded jeans. His eyes meets mine and the heat in them makes me want to fan myself.
He nods once at Lauren, then looks back at me. “Ready?” he asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I..” I break away from his intense stare and turn to Lauren. “Use my car whenever, and call me if you need me.”
Lauren gives me a small smile. “Thanks. Be careful, okay?”
“I will.”
Zane grabs my bag, and we say our goodbyes to Lauren. Then we’re out the door and walking briskly to his car.
No, it’s a truck—a big, shiny, black one.
“I didn’t want to waste time to go back and get the car,” he says, opening my door for me. “I hope this is okay.”
The cab of the truck is roomy and luxurious. “I don’t mind,” I reply, and smile my thanks when he gives me a little boost to get in.
He sticks my bag in the backseat, then gets in himself. He sits there for a second, staring at the steering wheel. “Are you okay?” he asks finally, starting the engine. "You aren't hurt?"
I make a face. “Yeah, it’s no big deal.”
I tell him about the shower and Henry losing his grip on the shower handle, and the horror of it all.
Zane squints over at me, the corners of his mouth already twitching. "Wait, you're telling me he was naked when he fell on you?"
I glare at his amused tone. "Well, who comes out of a shower clothed? And it's not funny!"
"Absolutely not funny. At all," Zane agrees solemnly, shaking his head.
"Only an immature ass would laugh at that." And Helize.
"Oh, yeah. A total jackass." He flashes a brilliant white grin at me.
I can't help but snicker a little. Okay, no one got hurt, and I guess I can see the humor in being trapped under a naked writhing elderly gentleman.
Yeah, that wasn't traumatic at all.
"I have a surprise for you," Zane says. He nods toward the console. "Hit that button over there."
There are literally, like a hundred buttons. I push one and cold air blows in my face.
"Not that one." Zane laughs and pushes another one.
Gypsy-like music suddenly fills the cab. I swivel my head to stare at him.
"Is this the McPigs?"
"Yup. From their new album."
My mouth drops open. "But that hasn't been released yet!"
Zane shrugs modestly. "I know a guy who knows a guy."
I raise my eyebrows. "Are you sure you didn't illegally download it?"