Zay hadn't felt this nervous in a long time.
He sat in his car, parked across the street from Gabriella's apartment, his hands gripping the steering wheel tight enough to feel the veins in his palms. He wasn't sure why today felt different, but it did. Today, he was going to ask her something he hadn't asked anyone in years—something that felt bigger than just a simple question.
He could still remember the first time he saw her, how guarded she'd been, how hard it was to break through her walls. She was strong, independent, and yet, there was something in her eyes that made him want to protect her. The more he got to know her, the more he realized that what they had wasn't just some casual thing. What he felt for her was real—too real to ignore.
It had been a little over a month since the day he showed up at her apartment with balloons and cupcakes, something simple but something that meant everything. That day had been the start of a shift—he could feel it. Every time they spent time together, whether it was laughing over bad movies or talking about their pasts, it was clear that they were something more than just friends.
Zay had never been the type to rush into relationships. He'd learned the hard way that love in his world came with consequences, but with Gabriella, it felt different. She was different. She had her own battles, her own life, but there was something in the way she made him feel like he wasn't tied down to his past. She gave him hope, something he hadn't had in a long time.
Tonight, he was going to ask her to be his girl—make things official. No more dancing around it.
He finally pushed open the car door and walked up the stairs to her building. His heart was beating so loud in his chest that he could barely hear his own footsteps.
When he knocked on her door, the sound of her footsteps inside had him holding his breath. Gabriella opened the door, smiling up at him, her face lighting up like it always did when she saw him.
"Hey," she greeted him, her voice soft, warm.
"Hey, Gabby," Zay said, trying to keep his voice steady, though he could feel the nerves bubbling up again.
She stepped aside, letting him in, and the moment he walked into her apartment, it felt like home. There was something about the way she had transformed the space—how her candles sat neatly on the shelves, the soft lighting, the way everything felt cozy yet alive.
"Do you want something to drink?" Gabriella asked, her brow furrowed in that caring way she always had.
Zay shook his head. "I'm good for now, just wanted to talk to you about something."
Gabriella looked at him, her smile still in place but with a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "Okay... what's up?"
Zay took a deep breath. He could do this. He had to do this.
"Gabby, I... I just want you to know something," he started, his voice low. "Since the first time I met you, I've been feelin' things I ain't felt in a long time. You've made me want to be a better man, you make me forget about everything in my past, and I don't want to waste any more time pretending like I don't know what this is between us."
Gabriella's eyes softened, and she took a step closer. "Zay..."
He shook his head quickly, not wanting her to say anything before he finished. "No, let me finish. I care about you, Gabby. A lot. And I don't want to be just some guy in your life who's always been around. I want to be the one you can count on, the one who makes things better, not more complicated. I want you to be my girl, Gabby. Officially."
Her eyes widened, and for a split second, Zay thought maybe he had pushed too hard, too fast. But then she blinked, a small smile tugging at her lips, and Zay's heart stopped for just a moment, waiting for her response.
Gabriella was quiet for a second, and the silence stretched longer than he expected. Was she thinking it over? Was she unsure?
Finally, she spoke, her voice soft but certain. "Zay, I've never had someone ask me like that before. Not the way you just did. And I won't lie, it's a little scary because this is real. But I want to give this a chance, with you. I care about you too."
Zay's chest swelled with relief, and he couldn't help but step forward, pulling her into his arms without hesitation. "So, that's a yes?"
Gabriella chuckled, her voice breathless as she nodded. "Yeah, that's a yes."
Zay grinned, his hands resting on her back as he held her close. He never thought he'd feel this way again, never thought he could get past his own fears and doubts about what a relationship could be. But here they were, standing in the middle of her apartment, both of them taking that leap together.
"You have no idea how happy you just made me," Zay said, his voice thick with emotion.
Gabriella looked up at him, her smile wide and genuine. "Well, I guess you're stuck with me now."
Zay laughed softly, brushing a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Good. I wouldn't want it any other way."
For the rest of the night, they spent time together—no pressure, no expectations, just the two of them. Zay didn't need to prove anything anymore; they were finally on the same page, and that felt like enough. They played games, ate dinner, and talked like they had all the time in the world.
As the night ended, Zay walked her to her door, and they shared one last kiss—a kiss that was different from all the others, full of promise and new beginnings.
For once, Zay didn't feel like the weight of his past was dragging him down. He was ready for this. He was ready for her.
And this was only the beginning.
To Be Continued...
