All I've Never Wanted(136)
And then, as if the night couldn’t get any more dramatic, I pulled a Venice and fainted.
CHAPTER 31
Well, this was awkward.
Zack hovered uncertainly on the deck, clutching his shirt in one hand as he watched Roman disappear through the doors into the dining room, carrying a still-passed-out Maya in his arms princess-style.
Meanwhile, everyone else was completely silent. All the other diners were gaping, open-mouthed, at what had just transpired, while the waiters wrung their hands, probably wondering what do. While this wasn’t a five-star restaurant, it wasn’t exactly McDonald’s either, and if half the people involved in the drama didn’t own this town, the manager surely would’ve already called the police by now.
“That was interesting,” Rico drawled, seemingly unfazed by the situation. He pulled out a cigarette and quickly lit it, blowing a smoke ring straight into Zack’s face.
Zack coughed lightly, scrunching up his face. He hated cigarettes.
“You’re a terrible person,” he scolded, giving Rico a very disapproving look. “You made My-My faint!”
Rico rolled his eyes. “My-My? Jesus, what is this, Sesame Street?”
“I think it’s a cute nickname,” Zack defended himself, feeling slightly hurt.
“You would.” The other boy sighed. “My brother’s friends…” he muttered under his breath. Then, in a normal voice, he added, “Besides, I didn’t make her faint. That’s all your precious Roman’s doing. It’s not my fault he’s a stubborn, jealous *.”
Zack’s jaw dropped. “You—you—“
“Um. Sorry to interrupt, but can someone help me up?”
The blond stopped glaring at Rico long enough to see Venice still sprawled on the wooden floor, looking not unlike a drowned, redheaded rat.
“Oh, of course,” he exclaimed, his attitude doing a one-eighty as he held out his hand and hauled Venice to her feet. Her palm felt soft and tiny in his. And wet.
Well, duh, she just fell into the pond.
Unfortunately, Zack pulled her up with slightly more force than necessary, causing Venice to stumble straight into his chest.
“Sorry!” they cried simultaneously, as they both turned scarlet. Zack quickly stepped back and pulled his shirt back over his head.
Rico rolled his eyes in disgust. “My job here is done,” he declared. “I didn’t sign up to watch this puppy love shit. Literally. You kiddies have fun.” He blew one last smoke ring into their faces, then turned and sauntered away.
“What does he mean, his job here is done?” Venice’s brow furrowed adorably as she held her soaked T-shirt away from her skin. At least she was wearing black, so it wasn’t see through.
“Who knows? It’s Rico. He’s kind of weird.” Zack gazed at her in concern. “We should leave though. You might catch a cold if you don’t change out of those clothes.”
He placed a hand on the small of her back to lead her out of the restaurant, and was secretly pleased to see Venice turn even redder at his touch.
They climbed into his Porsche and Zack was halfway to her house when she decided to turn on the radio. Guess who was on?
Yep. Taylor Swift.
Venice brightened. “Oh my god! I love this song!” she cried, her bubbliness coming back in full force as she sang along to “Love Story.”
Zack flinched at her caterwauling. “I guess you didn’t start taking singing lessons sometime between the amusement park and now,” he commented, a shudder rippling through him as Venice completely destroyed the song beyond all recognition. She sounded like a dying cat trying to sing opera.
“Are you making fun of my singing skills?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
Zack snorted, turning into her driveway. “What singing skills?”
Venice stuck out her tongue. “Well, sorry, not everyone can be a musical genius.”
He immediately perked up. “You think I’m a musical genius?”
Having realized her mistake, Venice slunk down in her seat and stared at her shoes. “Come on, everyone knows you are,” she mumbled, sounding embarrassed.
Zack beamed. He wasn’t exactly arrogant, but he knew he was good at music. It always made him happy to hear other people say it though.
“We’re here.” He stared at the house in front of him. It was pretty big, though not as vast as his own family’s 45,000 square foot abode. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
“Ok,” she squeaked.
Zack went around to open the car door for her, and the two of them climbed up the brick steps in silence. When they reached the front door, they stood there a bit awkwardly, neither knowing what to say.
“So, uh, I just want to thank you. For saving me tonight,” Venice clarified shyly, not looking him in the eyes. “That was really, um, brave of you.”
Now it was Zack’s turn to blush. “Don’t mention it. It’s not a big deal. It was just a pond, not an ocean full of sharks or anything. Although you should stop chasing puppies,” he added sternly. “It always seems to get you, and by extension me, into trouble.”
She laughed. “I’ll try. But they’re just so darn cute! Puppies…” A dreamy look took over her eyes.
“No!” Zack grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Stay with me! Don’t think about the P word! Think about…Humpty Dumpty!”