That Forbidden Love

“My parents are gone. Both my birth and adoptive parents are dead. But they were amazing. The best anyone could ask for,” she said against the lodge in her throat.

“Oh, dear. I am very sorry,” Zack’s tone and expression were apologetic. He looked like he’d regretted bringing the topic to light.

“You don’t have to be sorry,” she told him with a better, less faltering smile.

“I was barely six when I lost my birth parents in a car crash, so I have only faint memories of them. And as for my adoptive parents, let’s say I had the privilege of enjoying a parental relationship, even though it only lasted for a short while. So, it’s alright. I lucked out better than some”

Zack suddenly slowed the car to a stop by the corner of the road and reached for her hands. The warm touch was filled with assurance and something else Jazmyn couldn’t interpret.

“I can’t pretend to understand your experience going through those losses. Hell, I lost my dad ten years ago and it still feels uncomfortable to think about. you are very strong and courageous, Jazmyn. And you’re doing good for yourself. I’m sure they are mighty proud of you.”

Jazmyn felt a chokehold of emotions grip her as sudden tears prickled the back of her lids. The warmth and kindness of his words felt like a soothing balm to her heart. She wasn’t even worried about losing control, especially before him on their first date.

“Thanks, Zack. I hope they are.”

He nodded, patting her hands with a smile and resumed driving. Jazmyn risked a side glance at his profile. He was unbelievably different from the imagery she’d painted in her head before accepting the date.

Perhaps Brianna was right about letting things take their course and not ruining it by overthinking. Perhaps she could be bold enough to open up, let go and see where it leads by being her truest self.

Perhaps…

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at La-Jolle; a moderately sized nineteenth-century architectural styled restaurant in the downtown part of the district, and were ushered in by a portly host who greeted Zack quite familiarly.

“You seem to be known here,” she commented as they were led to a private dining area littered and perfumed by various flowerpots sitting on shelves carved into the walls.

“Well, I eat here often. The owner happens to be an old friend.”

“That’s understandable.” Jazmyn hadn’t expected different. He was the kind of man who was acquainted with the right people and had numerous chains of connections.

Although it sounded almost shallow to admit, but she was hugely attracted and impressed by that kind of power and command. Immediately they settled into the seats, the host left and returned shortly with a bottle of complimentary red wine to take their orders.

Jazmyn requested the fillet mignon and a side dish of Caesar salad and watched as Zack made his order for fettuccine and alfredo sauce with a side of steak.

“I’ve been in a series of meeting all morning and I’m literally starving. Pasta is my favorite meal of choice when I’m this hungry,” he confessed as soon as they were alone. “I guess spending a lot of my summers with my Italian grandmother did leave its mark.”

“You’re half Italian? Jazmyn was surprised. ” I wouldn’t have guessed.”

Zack laughed gently and poured them their glasses of wine, “I know right? Well, I’m half Irish and half Italian. You can say I have the best of both worlds.”

“I can see that clearly now,” she replied, smiling shyly when he winked at her.

“I don’t know if I’ve told you yet but your eyes are beautiful. I have a thing for hazel eyes and yours are absolutely brilliant with your skin color.”

Jazmyn’s mouth fell open and closed almost immediately. She felt a warmth inside her chest and looked away, almost abashedly from the honesty shining in his eyes.

“Thank you,” she found her voice after a few seconds.

“I kinda have always had issues receiving compliments. I never know the best way to respond. I just get all weird and uncomfortable.”

Zack studied her for a few short seconds that appeared to last forever, before leaning closely on the table.

“You shouldn’t ever have to feel that way, Jazmyn. You are confident and ballsy, pardon my language. But I really admire how courageous and unafraid you seem.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” he gave her a heated smile, exposing crystal perfect rows of dentition. Was there anything that didn’t stand out about this man?

Jazmyn lowered her gaze from his brilliant, insightful blue orbs and picked up her glass of wine. She needed to keep her head above water even though she couldn’t help being insanely attracted to him.

“Thank you, I suppose,” she replied with an all-too-bright smile and raised her glass.

“Cheers to a wonderful dinner and a beautiful evening ahead?”

Zack’s expression was filled with amusement, but his eyes still retained a smoldering fire, enough to wreak unnamable havoc inside her.

“Cheers to the breathtakingly beautiful woman sitting right in front of me,” he said instead and clinked glasses with her.

Jazmyn was saved from having to respond by the arrival of their meal right at that moment. She absolutely loved how he paid her random compliments, even though it was hard controlling her embarrassingly shy reactions to them.

She’d never been with someone as honest and forthright as him before. It was strangely exhilarating and different.

They dug into their meals with gusto, taking occasional breaks to sip at their wine in harmonious silence. Zack passed extra napkins and topped off her wineglass at the right moments, their movement was symbiotic and cordial. It felt like they’d been having dinner together for a long while.

Jazmyn didn’t feel at all self-conscious about eating to her fill or being clumsy enough to knock over the salt shaker several times during their meal. Zack’s teasing comments and quiet assistance had smothered whatever anxious reservations she’d had and within a short time, she’d grown very comfortable in his company.

“I love a woman with a healthy appetite,” He commented as she dropped her fork finally and dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

“Well, I am glad I don’t put on weight easily. I get to eat what I want without worrying about the extra bulges,” Jazmyn told him, smiling mischievously.