That Forbidden Love

There was something about the tone in which he said her name that got her sitting upright and reaching for the glass of mojito right then. Something soft and gentle, yet strangely husky and primal.

“I know it’s almost impromptu and I’d like to apologize in advance but I’d really like to take you on a date this evening,” he said. “Of course, it’s perfectly okay if you decline due to the short notice, we can still reschedule….”

“Yes,” she replied instantly before she could stop herself.

“Yes?” He sounded slightly taken aback and almost crestfallen.

“Yes, I’d like to go on a date with you, but you’d have to make it up to me for the impromptu timing,” she quickly added in a bid to soften her earlier enthusiasm. If mortified had a face, Jazmyn was sure it was hers right at that moment.

She couldn’t even look at Brianna who wore a huge grin on her face as she shoveled a huge forkful of mushrooms into her mouth.

“Oh, thank heavens,” Zack’s reply was filled with relief which not only surprised her but lessened the embarrassment she’d been feeling. He’d expected her to decline and sounded genuinely surprised and sweet at her response.

“I’d gladly make it up to you for my less than stellar timing. That isn’t a problem at all, trust me. Would it be okay if I come to pick you up at seven?”

“Seven is perfect.”

“Great! I’d see you soon, Jazmyn. Take care.”

Jazmyn held the phone to her ear for a few seconds more after it had been disconnected, savoring the aftereffects of that voice that sounded like it needed to get a career on the radio ASAP.

Despite the fact that she’d thought about it once or twice, it was almost impossible to believe he’d just called to ask her out on a date. She felt like a high school senior being asked out to the prom by her crush and couldn’t explain the giddiness rapidly spreading through her body.

But as per usual, her pessimistic side was there and always ready to put things into their right perspective.

Get yourself together, Jaz. This isn’t a big deal. You go on dates almost all the time. Relax girl. Besides, if you mattered that much or were that significant, he’d have tried to reach out sooner.

Jazmyn felt the enthusiasm slowly seeping away from her body as everything settled in her head. There was no need to be so pumped or feeling strange because Zack had just asked her on a date. Chances were he probably got bored on a Friday and had nothing else to do.

She was reading unnecessary meaning into things as she was wont to do. It never always boded well.

“So, I’m guessing that is Zack, and you are going on a date tonight?” Brianna asked as soon as she dropped the phone unceremoniously on the table.

“Yeah, but it isn’t a big deal ….”

“Yay!!” Her best friend exclaimed loudly, tapping loudly on the table with her long, black nails to get her attention.

“This is very much a big deal and you aren’t reneging on our agreement or shutting down that excitement I glimpsed on your face earlier. I don’t care if you just did some pointless mental readdressing to sabotage things, we are going shopping for the perfect dress right now.”

Jazmyn didn’t even get the chance to say anything else as Brianna stood up and left some bills on the table before reaching for her neon pink handbag, a huge grin on her face. “Shall we go, mademoiselle?”