Gabriella's days started blending together—cleaning rooms at the hotel, dodging questions from the shelter staff, and trying to ignore the growing presence of Zay in her life. He didn't push too hard, but his texts kept coming. At first, they annoyed her. Then, somehow, they became a small comfort.
Zay:
You eat today?
Gabriella:
Yeah.
Zay:
What, crackers and tap water? You gotta do better.
She rolled her eyes at her phone but smiled despite herself.
A week later, Zay wasn't waiting outside when she finished her shift. Gabriella told herself she didn't care, but the absence felt strange.
As she walked to the bus stop, headlights flashed behind her. A familiar matte-black car rolled up alongside her.
"Really?" she muttered under her breath as Zay's window slid down.
"Get in," he said.
"No."
"You cold, your feet hurt, and this bus stop ain't safe at night. Stop bein' stubborn."
She hesitated. She hated how he always seemed to read her, but he wasn't wrong. With a sigh, she opened the door and climbed in.
"See?" Zay said, grinning. "That wasn't so hard."
She ignored him, staring out the window as he pulled into traffic.
"You always this difficult?" he asked after a moment.
"Why do you care?"
"'Cause I like you, Gabby. Thought I made that clear."
His words sent a jolt through her. She glanced at him, trying to gauge if he was serious.
"You don't even know me," she said quietly.
"I know enough," Zay replied. "You tough, but you ain't hard. You act like you don't need nobody, but I can see it—you tired of fightin' alone."
She looked away, her throat tightening.
"I'm just sayin'," he continued, his voice softer. "You don't gotta keep your guard up with me. I ain't here to hurt you."
"Everyone says that," she said bitterly.
Zay didn't respond right away. When he finally spoke, his tone was different—quieter, more serious.
"I get it. Trust ain't easy, especially when you been let down. But I'm not them, Gabby."
She wanted to believe him, but part of her still screamed to keep her distance.
"Where are we going?" she asked, changing the subject.
"Somewhere better than that shelter," Zay said.
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to a late-night diner. The neon sign flickered, casting a warm glow over the parking lot.
"What is this?" Gabriella asked, skeptical.
"Food," Zay said, cutting the engine. "And don't argue—you need a real meal."
Gabriella hesitated but followed him inside. The smell of greasy burgers and fresh coffee hit her immediately, and her stomach growled.
They slid into a booth, and Zay waved the waitress over. "Get her whatever she wants. And a milkshake—vanilla."
"I didn't ask for a milkshake," Gabriella muttered.
"Yeah, but you look like you need one," Zay said, smirking.
She wanted to be annoyed, but the warmth of the diner and the smell of food were too comforting to resist.
As they waited, Zay leaned back in the booth, studying her. "So, what's your plan?"
"For what?"
"For life. You gonna stay stuck at that shelter forever?"
Gabriella bristled. "You think I want to be there? You think I like cleaning up after rich people every day?"
"I ain't judgin'," Zay said calmly. "I'm just askin'. You got dreams, right?"
Her immediate instinct was to brush him off, but something about the way he looked at her—steady, unflinching—made her pause.
"I don't know," she admitted. "I've never had the chance to think about that."
"Well, maybe it's time you start," Zay said. "'Cause you got more in you than this."
His words unsettled her. No one had ever spoken to her like that before, like she was capable of more than just surviving.
Their food arrived, breaking the tension. Gabriella dug into her burger, realizing just how hungry she was.
"This is good," she said between bites.
"Told you," Zay said, grinning.
For a while, they ate in silence, the conversation slipping into something lighter. Zay told her about his businesses—a sneaker shop, a barbershop, and some real estate deals. She was surprised by how much he'd accomplished, especially considering where he came from.
"What about you?" Zay asked. "You ever think about school? Starting something?"
Gabriella shook her head. "I can't afford that."
"You'd be surprised what you can do when you stop thinkin' small," Zay said.
His words stayed with her long after they left the diner. As he dropped her off at the shelter, she found herself wondering if maybe, just maybe, Zay was right.
To Be Continued...
