That Forbidden Love

A perfectly arched brow went up, but she didn’t say a word. Zack knew he wasn’t getting out of the conversation without answering her questions.

He turned to meet an expectant gaze, right after making a U-turn into the Quarters. “I do other things apart from work contrary to what Justin and everyone else thinks. Just because I am not partial to extreme activities doesn’t mean I don’t have fun.”

“So, how do you have fun, Zack? Something tells me you are stalling,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“Well, I attend the opera and bird-watch occasionally. I also take frequent breaks from my office chair to enjoy dinner and a glass of good wine somewhere nice. I am not entirely consumed with work that I forget to take the required breaks.”

“Opera and bird watching. Those are erm…nice enough activities,” she commented in a tone so strictly polite, Zack instantly knew she meant none of it.

“Nice enough? Just tell me I’m boring and get on with it,” he told her, chuckling.

“Knowing as much as I know about you now, I don’t think that should be too hard to do.”

Jazmyn gave him a speculative smile and spoke after a short stretch of silence. “Actually, those are great, although they aren’t my idea of fun. I slept through most of my opera classes in college and it secretly became a cure for insomnia.”

“You must be kidding. It’s unlawful to even blink at an opera. How are you even a musician?”

“I ask myself that question every single day, man. Every single day.”

Zack’s mock affront graduated into an amused smile at her funny expression of disbelief. She was just damned beautiful and unbelievably hilarious, that he wanted nothing more but to find out every single detail about her.

“I don’t know if I stated earlier but your voice is beyond beautiful,” he found himself complimenting once more.

“It was so captivating I feel like my jaw was on the ground for the most of your performance.”

The smile that took over Jazmyn’s face right then filled his chest with warmth inside. It was further highlighted by the taillight of a black pickup truck cutting in front, giving her dimples a pronounced appearance.

“Thank you, Zack,” she said in an almost whisper. “I’m glad I could make your birthday special in some way.”

Zack itched to feel the softness of her cheeks, to connect with her skin and experience that jolting electricity he’d felt earlier when he’d taken her hand. There was something so mesmerizing about her and being in such close proximity, he couldn’t help his thoughts from running a mile a minute.

“How long have you been singing?” He asked, focusing on the road to distract his errant thoughts.

“Ever since, I was five years old, if you mean that literally. But professionally, I’ve been slumming it with the guys for about five and a half years now.”

“Really?” Zack couldn’t hide his surprise. “That is quite a while.”

“Yeah, well. It’s been a while alright.” Her smile was easy as she tossed her braids back, exposing a distracting amount of cleavage.

Get your head together, man.

Zack forced his eyes back on the road and away from the sights of those captivating chocolate brown mounds, trying hard to get back on track with their conversation.

“I met the guys in college. Jean-Pierre was a music major as I was, while Isaac was studying chemistry before making the switch into music. It is quite hilarious how we thought about starting the band,” Jazmyn laughed.

“I don’t think I can tell it as good as Isaac. He is the accomplished jester.”

Zack was instantly curious. He couldn’t deny the thought had crossed his mind while he’d watched her perform earlier. For him, studying for a business degree had been almost preordained and he’d known that was the proper thing to do all through the last half of high school.

There hadn’t been a chance for multiple contemplations, and if there’d ever been contrary ideas, those had been quashed successfully by the death of his father. He hadn’t had the chance to regret his decision because he loved and enjoyed his job.

So much that it appeared like he was practically obsessed with it. For some unknown reason, he really wanted to hear Jazmyn’s band story.

“I’m sure you can tell it alright. I would like to hear it if you don’t really mind,” he said, smiling as her face looked to grow warmer. She was definitely blushing.

He could see the slightly dark reddish tinge even though her skin color made it appear hidden. She was so damned cute and special all in herself.

“If you insist, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when I begin to go off track and backtrack severally before I’m done.”

Zack nodded with a smile in place and listened as Jazmyn narrated the hilarious story of how a failed test project had resulted in the band’s creation.

He could tell the obvious passion she felt for what she did from the excitement in her voice. It was akin to how he felt sometimes after closing a business deal or launching a new branch of the commercial mall.

The passion was beyond just making a living. It made the job feel less than a job and more of an enjoyable experience every single time.

“I think the best thing ever is to love your job so much, it feels less like a job,” he commented as she rounded off speaking, a radiant glow all over her face.

“Sometimes I don’t even call it a job, except when it’s time for the multiple shows a night season, the unnecessary interviews and PR necessities. That’s my least favorite part of being a performing artist.”

The honest confession drew Zack’s focus from the lessening traffic to her face. With the kind of exposure she got, it was surprising to learn that she felt that way about being in the limelight.

He hadn’t known what his expectations had been, but judging from her vivacious personality, it was only fair to expect she’d crave or enjoy every bit of the attention.

“Err… You have the strangest expression on your face, Zack. Might I ask what you are thinking?”