2: Those weird feelings

 *Zac*

 I realise that I kinda let out a small gasp as my lungs allow me to breathe again, this woman is something special … but.. who is she ? This vision standing beside Nick, her dark eyes watching me, the pinkish lips parting softly ... holy ... wow.. What the hell just happened here ?

 “Z this is my girlfriend Cynamon. Honey this is Zac ... he owns this place”. Nick says, his voice sounds kinda far away.

 My mind is kinda trying to piece it all together and make sense of what he said. “Girlfriend ... Cinnamon ? I like cinnamon”.

 “Earth to Zac”. Nick chuckles. “Cynamon ... remember I told you. We’ve been on a couple of dates. She is a baker and she brought cupcakes for the party”.

 His girlfriend ... of course she is ... damn it, focus Zac. “Oh sure, yeah I remember ... your girlfriend ... you told me about your girlfriend”.

 She steps forward and holds out her slim hand, smiling at me. “A real pleasure meeting you Zac ... it’s a very nice place you have here”.

 “The pleasure is all mine ... all mine Cynamon ... that’s a peculiar name, it’s pretty though ... very pretty”. I take her hand, how is it possible to have a smile that pretty ?

 “It’s polish ... and it does actually mean cinnamon ... my dad was a bit of a ... weirdo”. She says with the most adorable little giggle that sparks butterflies in my stomach. “But just call me CJ ... most people do”.

 I take her hand, feeling warmth spread up my arm as I bend my head to kiss it, letting my lips linger for a moment. “CJ then, if that is what you prefer ... but darling you have to stay ... you simply have to stay for the celebration, right Nick”.

 I look up to see Nick giving me this weird look, then he nods slowly. “Yeah sure ... you should stay honey, if you want to of course”.

 “Uh ... sure ... I’d love to stay”. She bites her lip in the most distracting way, her eyes meeting mine. “If ... Nick wants me to stay, I mean”.

 “Well ... not really up to me, it’s Zac’s place”. Nick mumbles, making me look at him. I mean it kinda sounds like he wants her to leave. He sighs. “Of course I want you to stay ... that would be swell”. 

 I realise that I am still holding her hand and quickly let it go. “Well it’s settled then. Now let me see those famous cupcakes Nick has been telling so much about”.

 “Sure ... we put them in the kitchen”. She is smiling at me, her cheeks decorated with blooms of pink, and her hands are fiddling in a nervous way.

 Nick quickly grabs her hand ... like he is scared that I might do it if he doesn’t. “Come on, we’ll show you”.

 *Cynamon*

 We walk inside, Nick clutching my hand hard, like he is scared I am about to run away. I wonder if it was a good idea to agree to stay. There is something happening, something I am not sure should happen. 

 It is Zac, he makes me feel ... nervous ... weird ... elated ... scared in some happy way ... oh that makes no sense ... nothing makes sense in my head right now.

 ‘Yes it does’. Zyca tells me. ‘You know it makes every kind of sense’.

 “So this is...”. I pull my hand from Nick’s grasp. “... the cupcakes. I hope they are what you wanted”.

 I open the box closest to me, and Zac kind of leans in, his warm breath fanning over my face, it smells faintly like ... not sure what it is ... something fresh and sweet. And the sensation makes my knees feel weak, my hands grabbing the counter.

 “These look absolutely stunning ... but I should probably taste one to be sure”. He gives me a cheeky grin and picks one up, biting into it slowly. Then he closes his eyes, chewing, making this small humming sound in his throat. 

 I have a feeling my mouth kinda just popped open, as heat spreads through my body and little tinkles emerge in weird places … wow … no, no, no … what is happening to me ?

 “This is ... absolutely divine”. Zac says with a theatrical sigh and licks his fingers. “Good you know how to seduce a man ...”. He bite his lip. “I mean ... Nick is a lucky guy that's for sure”.

 “Hmm lucky indeed”. Nick shakes his head slowly. “If you are done getting a hard on from my girlfriend's cupcakes Maybe you can tell me where she's going to stay ? Isn’t all the tents ... taken ?”

 Zac suddenly looks thoughtful. “Uhm ... not to sound all ... I kinda expected she would stay with you”.

 I feel myself blush badly, hearing how my voice is shaking a bit. “Oh ... it’s not a problem really ... I don’t need to stay ... I can go back tonight”.

 “No ... we will find something”. Zac looks around. “You know what ? You can have my room. I’ll bunk with Nick ... or take the couch”.

 “I can take the couch. I don’t want to take your bed from you”. I don’t know what else to say, it all feels so very weird. I mean what is Zac thinking about me not wanting to stay with Nick ? Is it weird for an adult ? Well I'm weird, what can I say ?

 And Zyca is filling my head with images and words I do not want to hear.

 Zac takes my hand, his eyes locking with me. “Don’t even worry about it darling ... I am happy to let you have it”.

 “Okay then ... thanks”. I give him a small smile. “Uhm, could I use the bathroom ?”

 “Sure ... it’s the third door on the right, down the hall”. Zac says, giving my hand a small squeeze before letting it go.

 *Zac*

 I can’t help watching her leave the room. She is wearing a cute white top and a pretty yellow skirt with little flowers, making her look pretty and summery.

 Nick slaps my arm rather hard and I turn my head looking at him. “Ouch ... what ?”

 “What ?” He makes a motion with his hand towards the hallway. “Could you maybe be just slightly less obvious when flirting with my girlfriend in front of me ?”

 “I wasn’t ... I didn’t mean too ... shit”. I rub a hand over my face. “I am so sorry Nick. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me ... I’ll stop .. I promise, no more ... flirting”.

 He looks at me in this weird way again. “Okay then ... I know you meant no harm. It just started getting ... a bit awkward”.

 “Can I ask you something ? A bit personal ?” I don’t even know why I am asking, but curiosity is getting the best of me.

 “What is it Zac ?” He glances towards the hallway, probably making sure she isn’t coming back.

 I breathe in slowly. I mean it is none of my business, and Nick might be offended that I ask. “So ... her not staying with you, in your room ... does that mean ...”.

 “Yeah Zac ... it means exactly what you are thinking ... okay ?” He looks slightly annoyed. “Sorry ... it’s just. Well I like her ... and it’s not that I wouldn't … Well, I would like to go further, but she is clearly holding back so ... I don’t want to pressure her”.

 “Oh great”. I clamp a hand over my mouth when I realise what I just said. “I mean ... it’s great that you respect her boundaries and ...”.

 Cynamon comes back and Nick takes her hand, walking towards the door. “I think I understand perfectly what you meant Zac ... come on honey, let's go find something fun to do”.

 “See you guys later”. I call out ... feeling like a total idiot.