Page 65 of Sew Matcha in Love
It wasn’t just my skin that needed cooling.
“Wow.” Ahead of us, the still waters of the lake shimmered, the lit fountain in the middle spraying water and sending out ripples that caught the moonlight and reflected the warm glow of the windows from inside the main building. More treesadorned with the same fairy lights we’d seen in the front of the building created a canopy over our heads as we slowed our paces, traversing a curvy stone pathway, guiding us through the manicured landscaping toward the lake. Ornate iron benches peppered the path, tucked into the bushes to offer privacy to their canoodling occupants.
“It’s so lovely,” I breathed as we reached a small unoccupied gazebo, just off the main path in an alcove of pines. Adorned with the fairy lights that illuminated the single bench inside, it seemed magical, otherworldly, unmodern, and?—
“Perfect spot.” Zaki peered down at me. “Shall we?”
I nodded, and we continued in the direction of the gazebo.
I stopped just short of the steps. I needed to ask himthe thing.“Wait, before we sit…”
“Yeah?” We faced each other, and the slight breeze blew my carefully coiled tendrils across my face. Zaki reached up to tuck them behind my ear. The gesture was gentle, tender. His roguish charm made my stomach flutter.
“You … Back in the ballroom, you said you had something to tell me. And then you sang that song and invited me out here. Am I … Am I to believe that you … that I … that we…?”
“Wynnie … Wynna-bun … I’m falling for you. I’ve tried not to, but it’s happening fast and easily and completely. I can’t stop it. And I don’t want to. Because I think you’re falling for me, too. Am I right?”
Well now, he didn’t mince words, did he?
Okay, Wynnie Wynna-bun. You can be direct, too. Out with it.
My heartbeat drummed in my ears, so loudly the nighttime sounds around us faded away. But instead of panic, I felt peace. Out here, in this setting, dressed for the past but very much living in the present, I could be myself.
I could be myself with someone who wanted me to be me.
“Yes,” I whispered. “And I don’t want to stop it, either.”
Those beautiful blue eyes held mine as I tipped up my chin. When Zaki’s lips touched mine, every muscle in my body went weak. I reached up to take hold of his face, to keep it in place, just in case he thought of pulling back from the most perfect kiss ever. I closed my eyes and let him lead.
Oh lordy, what have you done? If this doesn’t work out, you’ll be spoiled for any other man because surely, no one else can kiss like that.
His hands were around me, pulling me into him. One thing was certain: Zaki Marsch had a way of making the ordinary feel extraordinary.
Suddenly, a series of bright flashes forced me to close my eyes tighter.
Fireworks?
“That’s not fireworks,” Zaki murmured, turning me away from the light and tucking my head protectively into his chest. “It’s paparazzi.”
CHAPTER 22
Zaki
Iknew it would happen eventually. I never expected it to happenthe first time we kissed.I’d been so caught up in the moment, I’d forgotten what a high-profile event this was.
I’d forgotten my celebrity status.
When I was with Arwyn, I felt normal. She didn’t want anything I could give her, not material things or to travel. She was happy in her home, doing her thing.
Though she looked shaken up, Arwyn assured me she was fine, and we went back in to the gala. She went to the ladies’ room, and I perused the silent auction in an effort to avoid conversations with people who wanted things from me. I won a VIP ticket package to the Colorado Ballet, which the girls would love, and it came with a behind-the-scenes tour that featured time with the set and costume designers.
When we arrived home, she went straight to her room, and Trudy and the girls were up before we could talk about the kiss. I prayed we’d have a chance to discuss what happened before she went on social media.
The next morning after church, we headed out toward the mountains. The drive up to the cabin was lively. Arwyn had shared the songs fromAnne of Green Gables: The Musicalwiththe girls and sang along to it with them. As I unpacked the van, I found myself humming about being the lost Lady Cordelia DeMontmorency.
That Anne sure was wild.
It was an unusually warm day for February, and I was disappointed to find my backyard rink slushy. I’d have to test the ice before skating.
