The next morning, Gabriella couldn't shake the unease from the night before. Zay's quick dismissal of Reese lingered in her mind, and for the first time since they'd met, she felt a crack in the trust she'd been building.
As she worked her shift at the hotel, Myra's words from weeks ago echoed back to her: "Guys like that don't usually do stuff for free."
By the time her shift ended, she had made up her mind. She needed answers.
Zay was waiting for her outside in his usual spot, leaning against the hood of his car. His relaxed posture and easy smile didn't match the storm brewing inside Gabriella.
"Hey, Gabby," he greeted as she approached.
"Hey," she said, her tone sharper than she intended.
Zay frowned, picking up on her mood immediately. "What's wrong?"
Gabriella crossed her arms. "Who's Reese?"
Zay's jaw tightened slightly. "I told you, just a friend."
"With a heart emoji next to her name?" Gabriella shot back.
Zay sighed and ran a hand over his face. "Look, Reese is someone I used to mess with, alright? But it's over."
"Then why's she texting you saying she misses you?"
"She's tryna hold on to somethin' that's done," Zay said, his voice calm but firm. "It don't mean nothin'. You ain't gotta worry about her."
Gabriella hesitated, her arms still crossed. "You could've just said that last night instead of brushing it off."
Zay stepped closer, his expression softening. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I was hiding somethin'. I just didn't wanna make it a thing 'cause it ain't a thing. You feel me?"
She searched his face, trying to decide if she believed him. His gaze was steady, unflinching.
"Okay," she said finally, though the doubt hadn't entirely disappeared.
For the next few days, things went back to normal—at least on the surface. Gabriella kept herself busy with candle orders and her hotel shifts, but she couldn't help noticing little things about Zay that she hadn't paid attention to before.
The way his phone would vibrate in his pocket, and he'd glance at it but not answer. The occasional text he'd send when he thought she wasn't looking.
She didn't want to be the kind of person who assumed the worst, but her past had taught her to be cautious.
One evening, as they sat in the coworking space, Gabriella decided to confront him again.
"Zay, can I ask you something?"
He looked up from his laptop. "What's up?"
"Why are you so secretive about your life?"
Zay's eyebrows furrowed. "What you mean?"
"I mean, you've been helping me all this time, but I barely know anything about you. Like...what do you actually do for work?"
Zay leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I hustle."
"Hustle how?"
"Different ways," he said vaguely.
"Zay," Gabriella said, her voice firm. "I need you to be straight with me. Are you into something illegal?"
He hesitated for a moment, and that pause was all she needed to confirm her suspicions.
"It's not what you think," he said finally. "Yeah, I've done some things in the past, but I'm clean now. Everything I got is legit."
Gabriella wanted to believe him, but the doubt in her chest refused to go away. "Why don't you just tell me the truth?"
"I am telling you the truth," Zay said, his voice rising slightly. "I ain't perfect, Gabby, but I'm not out here doing dirt. Not anymore."
The room felt heavy with tension. Gabriella stood up, grabbing her bag. "I need some air."
"Gabby, wait—"
But she was already out the door.
Gabriella wandered through the city, her mind racing. Zay had been her lifeline, her support, but now she wasn't sure if she could trust him.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
Zay:
I'm sorry if I made you feel like I'm hidin' somethin'. I ain't. Let me explain.
She didn't reply.
Later that night, as she lay in her bunk at the shelter, Gabriella stared at her phone, debating whether to call him back.
Just as she was about to put it down, another message came through.
Zay:
Please, Gabby. Don't shut me out.
Her heart ached. She wanted to believe him, but the fear of being hurt was too strong.
For the first time since they'd met, Gabriella felt truly alone.
To Be Continued...
