After (The After Series)

A flower? I’m both surprised and flattered by Zed’s thoughtful gift.
“Thank you.” I smile and bring the white lily to my nose.
“Are you ready?” he asks politely.
“Yes, where are you taking me?” I ask him as we walk outside.
“I figured we’d just go to dinner and a movie, something casual, no pressure.”
He beams.
I reach for the passenger door handle but he stops me. “Allow me,” he says
with humor in his voice.
“Oh. Thanks.”
I’m still nervous, but Zed’s so nice it makes it easy to start to relax. When we
get into the car he keeps the radio off and makes small talk, asking about my
family and my plans after college. He tells me how he is going to WCU for
environmental science, which surprises but intrigues me.
We arrive at a casual café-style restaurant and sit out on the patio. After
ordering our meals, we continue chatting until the food comes. Zed eats all of his
food and begins to steal fries off my plate.
I lift my fork menacingly. “If you take another fry, I’ll have to kill you,” I
tease.
He gives me a mock-innocent look and laughs with his tongue between his

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teeth. I find myself laughing for what seems like ages, and it feels great.
“You have an adorable laugh,” he says, and I roll my eyes.
We end up going to see a cheesy comedy that fails to entertain either of us.
But that’s okay, because we entertain ourselves with small jokes to each other
during the movie, and toward the end he puts his hand over mine. It’s not
uncomfortable, like I had assumed that it would be, but it doesn’t feel the same
as when Hardin does it. And right then it occurs to me that I made it hours
without even thinking of Hardin, which is a refreshing change from him
consuming my thoughts every day, all day.
When Zed gets me back to campus, it’s almost eleven. I’m glad it’s
Wednesday—only two more days until the weekend, when I can catch up on my
sleep.
He gets out of the car and walks over to me as I adjust my purse on my hip. “I
had a really nice time; thank you for agreeing to come out with me,” he says.
“I had a nice time, too.” I smile.
“I was thinking . . . remember when you asked if I was going to the bonfire?”
When I nod, he asks, “Do you mind if I come along?”
“Sure, that would be fine. I’ll be going with Landon and his girlfriend,
though.” I don’t recall Zed joining in on the group teasing Landon, but I just
want to make sure he knows that it is not okay.
“That’s fine, he seems nice,” he says and I smile.
“Well, it’s settled, then. Meet you there?” I suggest. There is no way I am
taking him to dinner at Landon’s house.
“Sounds good. Thanks again for tonight.” He takes a step closer.
Is he going to kiss me? I start to panic. But instead he wraps his hand over
mine and brings it up to his mouth. Placing one single kiss on the top of my
hand, his lips are soft against my hot skin and his gesture is very sweet.
“Have a good night, Tessa,” he says and gets back into his car.
I let out a deep breath, relieved that he didn’t try to really kiss me. He’s cute,
and was a good kisser during Truth or Dare, but the timing just doesn’t feel right.
THE NEXT MORNING
Landon is waiting at the coffeehouse for me and I tell
him about Zed.
Annoyingly, the first thing he says is “Does Hardin know about this?”
“No, and he doesn’t need to. It’s none of his business.” I realize my tone was a
little too harsh, so I add, “I’m sorry, it’s just a touchy subject.”
“Obviously. Just be careful,” he warns me sweetly and I promise him that I
will.

---

The rest of the day zooms by and Landon doesn’t bring up Hardin or Zed
again. Finally it’s time for Literature, and I hold my breath as Landon and I walk
into the room, where Hardin is sitting in his usual seat. My chest aches at the
sight of him. He glances over at me but then turns back to the front of the room.
“So you went out with Zed last night?” he asks as I sit down. I was praying
that he wouldn’t talk to me.
“That’s none of your concern,” I reply quietly.
He turns in his seat and brings his face close to mine. “Word travels quickly in
our group, Tessa, remember that.”