Gypsy

Chapter 38

·Zara·

The days pass, but not one goes by when I don't think back on that night and smile. How Adam had gotten my dad's guitar fixed I can't figure out; I'd thought it was beyond repair, but I was wrong. I'll never be able to overcome the joy of my mistake, or the happiness Adam brought to me by not throwing in the towel.

I think about that as I leave my room and make my way down the hall to the living room. Micah and Andre are sitting on the sofa, finishing their game before they head over to Craig's house. They'll be having movie roulette there tonight with the others, while Adam and I go on a date.

Those have gotten better than our official first, but each one gives me the jitters, as though I'm just waiting for something to happen to mess them up. The guys look up at me and when all they do is stare, I become a lot less confident than I'd been in my room.

"What?" I demand.

"Wow, Gypsy," Andre answers softly. "You look--"

"Stupid? I look stupid, don't I? I feel stupid. That's it, I'm changing."

"Please don't." 

I turn slowly to find Adam has joined us, his two words drawing me like a magnet. He's staring at me too, and I suddenly want to go hide under my bed, or on the nearest rooftop.

"Damn," he says softly, one corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "You look ... Wow." 

The other corner of his mouth follows the first one's lead, and when they both pull into a brilliant smile I look away, embarrassed.

"It's just a dress," I mumble self consciously as he moves to me and takes my hands. He pulls me closer then kisses my temple.

"It's more than just the dress," he says. "It's the amazing woman who's wearing it."

I laugh and look back at him. His face is on fire, though I don't know what in the hell he has to be embarrassed about. No one's calling him out on what he's wearing.

"So, where are we going?" I ask, desperate to change the subject.

"Just a restaurant I haven't been to in a while."

"Oh?"

I wait, but he doesn't say any more than that. He just offers me his hand then smiles when I take it. That's almost like second nature to me now. I can barely remember the first time he ever touched me, and how I'd snatched my arm away. This feels so normal, it's like that barrier between us never even existed.

"You ready to go, Smalls?" he asks, grinning down at me.

"Lead the way, Moose."

"We'll see you lovebirds tomorrow!" Micah calls out after us and we both laugh at that.

Adam leads me through the apartment and outside, then opens his truck door for me.

"Well, aren't we just the gentleman tonight?"

"I'm trying."

"Don't worry, I'll let you know if you drop the ball."

"I'm sure you will."

I laugh at that and he closes my door, then rounds the truck and climbs behind the wheel. He pulls out of the lot, then takes my hand as he drives us across town. Past the business district and then the park, he finally turns off on a side road then pulls into a lot across the street from a place called the Salty Dog.

He looks at me and grins as I look back at him.

"Looks fancy, and expensive," I say, a light frown pulling at the corners of my mouth.