Chapter Nine: Zara
After Sam shook my hand, he gave me his cell phone number, telling me to call and set up our first lesson, before walking away. It feels like every time he talks to me, he’s gone just as quickly. There was a moment I thought he might not be real – I mean why would God create someone so freaking beautiful – but then I remember that that’s a stupid thought and get mad at myself for being an idiot.
The night is finally winding down and once again Ruby is missing. She made a short appearance after I spoke with Sam, getting a drink form the bar with some guy, but then she was gone again and there was nothing I could do to get her attention. It’s only nine-thirty – which means there’s another half-hour before we have to leave – but I’m getting worried. We’re supposed to be cleaning up, getting our materials and then leaving. But when Ruby disappears, it would seem she is not findable. I’ve gone throughout the entire venue and called her phone, but I still haven’t located my god damn boss. I start asking around, hoping someone else has seen her.
“Hey, honey. I heard you were looking for Ruby Gold?” One of the wedding guests approaches me and I nod. Hopefully, they’ve seen her and can point me in the right direction. “She’s already left. She met a guy and they went to some bar. Her words were, ‘I’m going to get wasted.’” Fuck! What am I supposed to do now?
“That fucking sucks. She was my ride.” I realize my slip in decorum and I’m about to apologize, but the lady just laughs.
“Oh, don’t even worry about it. A curse now and then is good for the soul.” I like this lady. “I can give you a ride home. It’s no problem,” she offers. I’m about to thank her for being a godsend when a shadow appears in front of me. I turn around and Sam is behind me again.
“Don’t worry about it Meredith. I can take Zara home.” I don’t move my eyes from him even when Meredith responds.
“Oh, Sam. Thank you for having me at this lovely wedding. I’ll see you at one of your mother’s brunches. She’s been saying you’d be making an appearance.” It seems Meredith and Sam have a previous relationship. A pretty jovial one in fact.
“I promise to come one of these days. If only to see you.” Meredith laughs again and then says good night to the two of us. I watch her leave and then turn back to Sam. I don’t know what to say to him, but what I end up blurting out isn’t quite what I wanted.
“I didn’t agree to go home with you.” He smirks at me and I don’t know what to do with it. It sounds like I don’t want to be anywhere near him when all I want is his body to get even closer to mine. I’m too mixed up to do anything logical, right now.
“Do you not want a ride?” he asks rather deliberately. He’s obviously teasing, but I don’t mind so much. It’s akin to flirting and I’ll take what I can get.
“No, I do. You were just being a little presumptuous is all. Next time ask me first.” I whisper the last part, his eyes drilling into me.
“Okay, I will.” I think I opened the floor for a next time. What that next time will include isn’t clear, but I’m looking forward to it. We look at one another silently for a few moments before realizing I need to go and get Ruby and my stuff.
“I have to clean up and then we can go.” Sam motions for me to go ahead and I gather the equipment we brought. It takes me about ten minutes and Sam is where I left him, doing something on his phone. He puts it away when he sees me coming. I get to him and let him know, “I’m done. We can go now.” He nods and I follow him to the parking lot. We stop at the front entrance and I look around for a car. I don’t see anything until a limo pulls up and Sam opens the door. He stands aside, I think for me to get in. I don’t move because I’m simply taken aback that there is a limo I’m supposed to get in. I know it’s a wedding and people go over the top for them, but it’s another level of extraness when the brother of the bride has a limo take him home after everything is over. I point at the open door and ask, “Am I supposed to ride home in that?” Sam looks at me funny.
“Have you never ridden in a limo before.” I shake my head. “Well, there always has to be a first time.” He puts extra weight on the phrase ‘first time’ which makes my breath catch. He has to know what he’s doing to me – or he wouldn’t be doing it, right? He makes a grand motion for me to enter and I put myself and my stuff into the back seat. Once I’m situated, I look around and I’m fascinated by the space in the car. Limos have always felt like an unnecessary vehicle to me. Especially stretch ones. At least this one isn’t stretch. But, being inside this one, I can understand the appeal. You just feel like you’re in the lap of luxury.
Sam sits at the opposite end and looks at me expectantly. I’m not sure what he wants, so I ask, “Is everything okay?” He looks deeper into my eyes and something passes between us. I want to believe it’s sexual, but that’s what I’ve been thinking all night only to be proved wrong.
“What’s your address, Zara?” His voice has gotten lower. I squirm in my seat, overwhelmed by the tension. I give him my address and he turns to the limo driver, relaying the information. The drive back isn’t any less tenuous. At first, I look at him, but I can’t maintain eye contact. I don’t know what he wants from me and even if I did, I’m not sure if I’m ready to give it to him. When he drops me off, he says, “Don’t forget to call or text so we can iron out the details for my lessons.” I nod and then say good night, going to my room to think about tonight.