SIX
KELLY
As the sun dips below the horizon, and the sky is painted orange and pink, I'm once again in the three-car garage beneath Sand 'O' Sun. Whereas in the past I'd have been hanging out with my cousins playing endless games of cards, I'm now working side-by-side with Zac.
We're inching forward with our 'Out of this World'float for the upcoming parade, and I couldn't be happier. Without this to fill my days, I'd have been in a bad place, eaten up by worry at the complete absence of creative briefs from Jason.
Even the account executive I work most often with is ghosting me, although I don't know why. We've always worked well together with my concepts, often proceeding straight to final art with no need for him to do a hard-sell with the client.
It was the threat of losing my job that had me saying yes when my neighbor in LA asked if her cousin could sublet my apartment. Just for a couple of months, until she found something else. I was all for it. Apart from it being safer to have someone staying there, the rent will come in handy.
As the days passed, Zac's abilities around the construction of the float continued to amaze me. This was a surprise after seeing him swing a hammer with wild abandon out back.
However, working this closely with him, there's no missing his creativity and ingenuity. This is especially so when you consider the jetsam and flotsam that we're stuck with, thanks to Mary's miniscule budget.
Zac's nimble fingers dance across the tools, shaping and molding the float's framework with precision. Every stroke and twist effortless, as if he possesses an innate connection with his craft. I watch in awe as he brings my complex ideas to life, transforming them into something extraordinary.
"Wow, that's amazing." Unable to contain my admiration any longer, I add, "I didn't know you were so talented," while doing my best to keep from going full fangirl. However, his crooked smile, and eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and mischief, tell me I've failed miserably.
"Thanks. I have a talent for working with my hands. I love figuring out how to make everything fit together."
Despite a heaping dollop of innuendo, his words still resonate with me. I also can't help but draw parallels between his craftsmanship and the way he carries himself.
He exudes a quiet confidence that has eluded me until now, with me too busy looking out for hints I'm being played. It's as if I've discovered a whole extra layer to Zac, and it's one I'm finding hard to resist.
His flirting is something he does without thinking, coming as naturally as breathing. I'd be kidding myself if I thought there was anything in it. And even then, I wouldn't act on it. Not with a charmer, like him.
However, as the days pass and our evenings are consumed by the float, Zac and I grow closer. We share laughter, conversations, and moments of vulnerability.
It's during one of these candid exchanges he leans in closer, his voice dropping to a low, suggestive whisper.
"You know, Kelly, my skills aren't confined to the garage." There's no missing the dirty glint in his eyes, with a resultant rush of heat coursing through my veins.
Blast him. I thought we'd put this behind us, allowing me to relax rather than stress about him being here for a good time, rather than a long time. I hoped he'd see me as more than a conquest as we got to know each other.
Looks like he's reverted to form, with his words carrying a hint of seduction and the promise of passion beneath their playful nature. My heart stutters, and I can't deny the growing desire that simmers within me.
Does that mean I'm acting on it? Heck no, it doesn't. I've got enough troubles in my life without succumbing to his advances.
"That's a bold claim, Zac."
There's a hard edge to my voice, because I don't need this in my topsy-turvy world.
He chuckles, closing the gap between us. "Oh, I assure you, it's one I can prove. I love a challenge, and baby, you're all that, and more."
I feign nonchalance, crossing my arms and trying to suppress the rising anticipation. "Is that so? Well, good luck with that. I'm not easily swayed."
Zac's gaze intensifies, locking with mine in a silent battle of wills. "We'll see about that, Kelly. We'll see."
As the days turn into weeks, his interactions grow bolder, filled with lingering glances and subtle touches. Each passing moment makes it harder to keep him at arm's length, the magnetic pull growing stronger. The lines blur, and the boundaries I've set to protect myself are showing signs of wear.
The float becomes more than a project; it becomes a symbol of the connection we're building. Busy in the dimly lit garage, the smell of paint in the air, I wonder if the sparks ignited here will find their way into other aspects of our lives.
I find out after finishing the fabric 'flames' and turning on the little fans. While not as authentic as Zac's blowtorches would have been, they pass muster.
Without warning, Zac picks me up and swings me around in celebration. And it could have ended there, if not for my gaze landing on his lips when he slides me down his body and back to my feet.
In a moment of lunacy, I surrender. I'm sick of fighting my attraction to him. Instead, my reticence is overcome with lust. Rampant lust of the sort to have those fake flames going up in smoke. The sort that has me reaching up on tiptoes and mashing my lips against his.
