"Where do you want to eat? Inside or outside?" Sara asked Zak.
"Let's eat outside, if that sounds good to you."
"Sounds perfect," Sara replied. She went outside, carrying a plate for each of them with an extra for the steaks, and the silverware, and sat them all on the table. She went back to the kitchen and got the bowl of salad from the refrigerator. "What kind of dressing do you want on your salad?"
"Italian, please. Will you grab the bottle of wine too?" Zak asked.
Sara found a bottle of Italian dressing and put a capful in the bowl before mixing the salad together. She brought the salad and wine back with her to the table. Zak put the steaks on the extra plate and turned the grill off. He moved one to Sara's plate and one to his. Sara put a small helping of salad and mashed potatoes on her plate, and Zak did the same.
"This looks amazing," Sara said. Her steak was perfect – it positively melted in her mouth. Zak took a bite of the mashed potatoes. "Oh my God, these are sooo good. What did you put in them? They're really thick and fluffy."
Sara laughed. "All kinds of stuff that's bad for us, but moderation is key, right? Just a little butter and cream cheese. By 'a little butter', I mean a stick of butter. The cream cheese makes them a little fluffier. Salt, pepper, and garlic salt to taste. Oh, and the cheddar cheese – gotta love that Tillamook! You weren't kidding when you said you grilled a mean steak. It melts in your mouth."
Zak smiled shyly. "Thank you."
The conversation slowed down while they finished their meals. They were both pretty hungry. Sara hadn't eaten all day. "That was so good, Zak. Thank you so much for grilling. It was perfect, hit the spot."
"You are more than welcome. It was my pleasure." Zak got up to clear the table.
"Let me help you."
"No, you've helped enough. You're my guest, remember?" He grinned at her.
"Nonsense, let me help you." Sara stood up and helped Zak clear the table and rinse the dishes before loading them in the dishwasher. "What else?"
"I think that's it. More wine?"
"Yes, please," Sara replied.
Zak poured two more glasses of wine. He rarely drank, and the first glass was already starting to take effect. "Do you want me to light the firepit? We can drink our wine outside."
"Let's do it," she agreed.
Sara brought her phone outside with her. Just as Zak handed Sara her glass of wine, her phone buzzed. She looked at the screen. It was a text from Alicia. She opened it.
turn on TMZ right now 😮
"Zak, can you turn on your television, please? I need to see something on TMZ."
Confused, Zak walked inside and found his remote control. He turned the television on, found TMZ, and saw his own face staring back at him. "Wha– what the hell is this?" Zak said to the screen.
Sara could hardly believe what she was seeing.
They were speechless as they watched some cell phone footage, first of their altercation on the plane and then of them at the hotel, in the elevator, and at the valet. It seemed that their trying to get to know each other wasn't a secret anymore – someone was out to make a quick buck.
Zak watched as Sara leaned against the couch and shook her head. She opened her phone and sent a text to Alicia.
watching now 🤦🏻♀️
Zak turned the television off. Enough of this shit. "Are you okay? You seem upset."
"Just surprised, I guess," Sara replied.
Zak's thoughts ran rampant. Who was she texting? Does she have a boyfriend? Is she afraid that he's now seen her on television with me?
YOU ARE READING
The Ghosts in You (A Zak Bagans Fanfic)
Fanfiction(A/U: 2017 & 2018) Zak Bagans has demons - metaphorical demons, of course, but also demons manifest in the physical realm. In the midst of his exhilarating life of seeking out and communicating with ghosts, Zak connects unexpectedly with a prominent...
