Pretty Baby

Chapter 9

It’s been a few hours since Jade and I left off on unknown terms. I'm in my home studio strumming my favorite guitar and trying to find the right chords for a new song. The melody is slipping through my fingers like sand. I close my eyes, hoping for inspiration to strike. The room is dimly lit, the only light coming from a small lamp on my desk, casting long shadows on the walls. The air is thick with the smell of old coffee, a familiar scent that somehow comforts me. Penny fell asleep on the couch after fifteen straight minutes of playing You Are My Sunshine .

Just as I'm starting to get into the groove, there's a knock at the front door. I ignore it, hoping whoever it is will go away. But the knocking continues, persistent and annoying. I sigh, setting my guitar down and rubbing my temples. Why is it that every time I get into a creative flow, something or someone has to interrupt?

The knocking grows louder, more insistent. I groan, pushing myself up from the chair and making my way to the door. "Alright, alright, I'm coming," I mutter under my breath. I yank the door open, ready to give whoever it is a piece of my mind.

Standing on the doorstep is a man in his mid-forties, clean-shaven and in good shape. He's wearing a crisp button-down shirt and jeans, looking like he just stepped out of a catalog. He smiles politely, but there's a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

"Hi, I'm Eric," he says, extending a hand. "I'm here to pick up Jade."

I blink, taken aback. "Jade? What do you mean pick up Jade?"

Eric's smile falters slightly. "We're going out tonight. You weren’t expecting a date to show up at your door tonight?"

I feel a knot of confusion and irritation forming in my stomach. "No, she didn't mention anything about a date."

Eric shifts uncomfortably, lowering his hand. "Oh, well, I'm sorry about that. I just assumed she would’ve told her dad."

I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms. "Yeah, well, she didn't. I’m not her dad either, buddy. So, who are you exactly?"

Eric clears his throat, trying to maintain his composure. "I'm a friend of Jade's. We met at a mutual friend's party a few weeks ago. We've been talking, and she agreed to go out with me tonight. Does that satisfy your question?”

I study him for a moment, trying to gauge his intentions. He seems like a douche but genuine enough, but there's something about the whole situation that rubs me the wrong way. "And you just show up at my place without any warning?"

Eric shrugs, offering a sheepish smile. "I guess I should have called first. My bad."

Before I can respond, I hear the sound of heels clicking on the hardwood floor behind me. I turn to see Jade emerging from her room, and my breath catches in my throat. She's wearing a sleek, form-fitting, black dress that hugs her curves in all the right places. Her hair is styled in loose waves, and her makeup is flawless, accentuating her striking features. She looks absolutely stunning.

"Hey, Eric," she says, her voice warm and inviting. "Sorry, I was just finishing getting ready."

Eric's face lights up when he sees her. "Wow, Jade, you look amazing."

Jade smiles, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Thanks. You look pretty good yourself."

I feel a hint of something – jealousy, maybe – as I watch their interaction. I clear my throat, drawing their attention back to me. "So, Jade, you didn't think to mention you had a date tonight?"

Jade's smile falters, and she looks a bit guilty. "I'm sorry, Mr. Fulton. I didn't think it would be a big deal. I didn't want to bother you with it."

I raise an eyebrow. "Not a big deal? It might have been nice to know you were going out with someone."

Jade sighs, running a hand through her hair. "I know, I should have told you. I just... I didn't want to make things awkward."

"Well, mission not accomplished," I mutter, glancing at Eric, who looks increasingly uncomfortable.

Jade steps closer to me, lowering her voice. "Zac, please. Can we not do this right now? I just want to have a nice evening."

I take a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. "Fine. Go, have your date. But next time, a little heads-up would be appreciated."

Jade nods, relief evident in her eyes. "Thank you. I promise I'll let you know next time."

Eric clears his throat, trying to break the tension. "So, are we ready to go?"

Jade turns to him, her smile returning. "Yeah, let's go."

I watch as they head towards the door, feeling a strange mix of emotions. Part of me wants to stop them, to tell Jade that she shouldn't be going out with this guy. But another part of me knows that I have no right to interfere. Jade is her own person, and she deserves to be happy.

As they step outside, I lean against the doorframe, watching them walk down the path to Eric's car. Jade glances back at me, giving me a small wave. I force a smile, waving back. I watch Eric walk past Jade’s door, making no attempt to open it for her.

I watch as they get into the car and drive away. The sound of the engine fades into the distance leaving me standing alone in the doorway. I close the door, the silence of the house pressing in on me.

I make my way back to the studio, but the inspiration I had earlier is gone. I pick up my guitar, strumming a few chords, but the music feels flat and lifeless. I set the guitar down, running a hand through my hair.

I can't shake the feeling of unease that's settled in my chest. Seeing Jade with Eric, looking so happy and radiant, has stirred something inside me. I realize that I've been taking her presence for granted, assuming that she would always be here, a constant in my chaotic life.

But now, seeing her with someone else, I can't help but wonder if I've been fooling myself. Maybe I've been too wrapped up in my own world, too afraid to confront my feelings for her.

I stand up, pacing the room, my mind racing. I think about all the times Jade and I have spent together, the late-night conversations, the laughter, the moments of quiet understanding.

I stop pacing, and sit back down, picking up my guitar again. This time, the music comes more easily, the chords flowing together in a way that feels right. I close my eyes, letting the melody guide me, pouring all my confusion and longing into the song.

As the music fills the room, I feel a sense of clarity starting to emerge. I don't have all the answers yet, but I know one thing for sure. I can't keep running from my feelings. I need to face them head-on, no matter how scary it might be.

And maybe, just maybe, I'll find a way to make things right with Jade.

The hours pass in a blur of melodies and half baked lyrics. By the time I finally set my guitar down, the sun has long since set, and the house is bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. I feel a sense of calm that I haven't felt in a long time, a quiet determination settling in my chest.

I stand up, stretching my stiff muscles, and make my way to the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of wine, taking a long drink as I lean against the counter. My mind is still buzzing with thoughts of Jade and Eric, but the panic and jealousy have subsided, slightly.

I glance at the clock, wondering when Jade will be back. Part of me wants to stay up and wait for her, to talk to her as soon as she walks through the door. But another part of me knows that I need to give her space, to let her enjoy her evening without my interference.

I finish my wine, setting the glass in the sink. I pace around my living room, unable to shake the image of Jade leaving with Eric

~ ~ ~

The jealousy gnaws at me, twisting my insides into knots. I need a distraction, something to take my mind off the fact that Jade is out there right now, probably having a great time with some guy who isn't me.

My eyes land on the business card sitting on my coffee table. It’s Taylor’s. I remember our first interview - her flirtatious smiles, the way she leaned in just a little too close. At the time, I'd brushed off her advances, too preoccupied with my own drama to give her much thought. But now...

Before I can talk myself out of it, I snatch up the card and dial her number. It rings three times before she picks up.

"Taylor speaking," she answers, her voice professional and crisp.

"Hey, Taylor. It's Zac. Zac Fulton."

There's a pause on the other end of the line. "Zac? I wasn't expecting to hear from you."

I clear my throat, suddenly feeling like an idiot. "Yeah, well, I was thinking about our interview the other day, and I realized I might have been a bit... distracted. I was wondering if you'd like to meet up again. Maybe over dinner?"

Another pause, longer this time. I can almost hear the gears turning in her head. "Are you asking me out on a date, Zac?"

"I guess I am," I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel. "What do you say?"

Taylor sighs. "I don't know, Zac. Mixing business with pleasure didn’t sound like a good idea to you."

"Come on," I press. "It doesn't have to be all business. We could just talk, get to know each other better. No pressure."

There's a rustling sound on her end, like she's shifting in her seat. "Alright," she says finally. "I still need to finish that article."

I feel a surge of triumph. "Great. How about the same place as before? Say, eight o'clock?"

"Alright," Taylor agrees. "I'll see you there."

As I hang up, I feel a mix of excitement and guilt. What am I doing? Am I really going on a date just to make Jade jealous? But then I remember her leaving with Eric, and my resolve hardens. Two can play at this game.

I spend the next thirty minutes getting ready and convincing Xavier to watch Penny for a few hours while I’m trying to convince myself that this is a good idea. By the time I arrive at the restaurant, I've almost managed to believe it.

The restaurant is bustling with the usual Thursday night crowd. I scan the room, looking for Taylor's familiar face. Instead, my eyes land on a table near the back, and my heart sinks.

Taylor is there, looking stunning in a sleek black dress. But she's not alone. Sitting across from her is a man I recognize from various industry events. Aaron Thompson, the editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone.

For a moment, I consider turning around and leaving. But Taylor has already spotted me, waving me over with a tight smile. Steeling myself, I make my way to their table.

"Mr. Fulton," Taylor greets me, her voice strained. "I'm glad you could make it. I hope you don't mind, but my boss, Aaron Thompson, decided to join us."

Aaron stands, extending his hand. His grip is firm, bordering on painful. "Mr. Fulton," he says, his tone cool. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

I shake his hand, forcing a smile. "Likewise. Though, I have to admit, I wasn't expecting a party, and please call me Zac."

Aaron gestures for me to sit. "Well, when Taylor mentioned she was meeting you for a follow-up interview, I thought I'd tag along. We weren't entirely satisfied with the content from your first meeting."

I glance at Taylor, who's staring intently at her menu, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Is that so?" I say, settling into my chair. "And here I thought we had such a productive conversation."

Aaron’s smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Oh, I'm sure it was very... stimulating. But unfortunately, flirtatious banter doesn't make for a compelling article."

I feel a flash of anger, both at Aaron’s implication and at myself for putting Taylor in this position. "I see. Well, I'd hate to disappoint Rolling Stone's readership. What would you like to know?"

For the next hour, Aaron grills me relentlessly. He asks about my writing process, my inspirations, my thoughts on the current state of the music scene. I answer as best I can, but it's clear that nothing I say is good enough for him.

Taylor interjects occasionally, trying to steer the conversation to more neutral ground, but Aaron steamrolls over her attempts. I can see the frustration building in her eyes, and I feel a flash of guilt. This isn't what she signed up for.

Finally, as the waiter clears away our dessert plates, Aaron sits back with a satisfied smirk. "Well, Mr. Fulton, I think we've got enough material now. Thank you for your time."

I nod, relief washing over me. "Happy to help. If there's nothing else..."

"Actually," Taylor cuts in, her voice firm. "I have a few more questions for Zac. In private, if you don't mind, Mr. Thompson."

Aaron’s eyebrows shoot up. "Taylor, I don't think -"

"It's fine," she insists. "I can handle this. Why don't you head back to the office? I'll have the full transcript on your desk first thing tomorrow."

For a moment, I think Aaron might argue. But then he shrugs, standing up. "Alright. Don't stay out too late. And remember, we need substance, not scandal."

As Aaron leaves, an awkward silence falls over the table. I clear my throat. "Taylor, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you in that position."

She shakes her head, a rueful smile on her lips. "It's not your fault. Aaron’s been on my case ever since our first interview. He thought I was too... unprofessional."

"Because you were flirting with me?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

Taylor blushes again. "Was I that obvious?"

I can't help but chuckle. "Let's just say subtlety isn't your strong suit."

She groans, burying her face in her hands. "God, I'm so embarrassed. I don't usually act like that during interviews. There's just something about you that..."

"Brings out the worst in people?" I suggest.

Taylor laughs, the tension finally breaking. "Something like that.

I lean back in my chair, studying her. In the soft light of the restaurant, with her guard down, she looks younger, more vulnerable. "So, what now? Do you actually have more questions for me, or was that just an excuse to get rid of Aaron?"

She bites her lip, considering. "A bit of both, I guess. I do need more material for the article. But I also... I wanted to apologize. For putting you in this situation."

I wave off her apology. "Don't worry about it. I'm the one who called you, remember? If anything, I should be apologizing to you."

Taylor tilts her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Why did you call me, Zac? Really?"

I hesitate, debating how honest to be. In the end, I decide on the truth. "I was jealous," I admit. "The woman I'm interested in went out on a date with someone else, and I... I guess I wanted to prove something. To her, to myself. I don't know."

Understanding dawns on Taylor's face. "Ah. And here I thought you might actually be interested in me."

"Hey," I say, reaching across the table to take her hand. "You're a beautiful, intelligent woman. Any guy would be lucky to have you. I'm just... complicated.”

She squeezes my hand, a sad smile on her face. "Aren't we all?" After a moment, she pulls away, straightening up. "So, about those questions..."

For the next hour, we talk. Really talk, without the pressure of Aaron’s presence or the awkwardness of forced flirtation. Taylor asks me thoughtful questions about my work, my life, my hopes and fears. And I find myself opening up in a way I haven't in a long time.

As the restaurant begins to empty around us, Taylor glances at her watch. "I should probably get going. I have a lot of writing to do before morning."

I nod, suddenly reluctant for the evening to end. "Of course. Can I walk you to your car?"

Outside, the night air is cool and crisp. We walk in companionable silence, our shoulders occasionally brushing. When we reach Taylor's car, she turns to face me.

"Thank you, Zac," she says softly. "For being honest with me. And for giving me a real interview."

I smile, feeling a warmth in my chest that has nothing to do with attraction. "Thank you for listening. And for not holding my initial idiocy against me."

Taylor laughs, the sound light and genuine. "Well, I hear that's part of your charm."

Before I can respond, she leans in and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. "Goodnight, Zac," she murmurs. "I hope things work out with your complicated situation."

As I watch her drive away, I'm struck by a realization. This evening, which started as a misguided attempt to make Jade jealous, has somehow turned into something meaningful.

I walk back to my car, my mind buzzing with thoughts of the evening. As I drive home, I can't help but wonder what Jade is doing right now. Is she still out with Eric? Has she come home yet? Part of me wants to call her, to hear her voice and make sure she's okay. But another part knows that I need to give her space, to let her live her life without my constant interference.

When I pull up to my house, I'm surprised to see a figure sitting on my front steps. As I get closer, my heart skips a beat. It's Jade.

She stands as I approach, wrapping her arms around herself. "Hey," she says softly.

"Hey," I reply, trying to keep my voice neutral. "How was your date?"

Jade shrugs, looking down at her feet. "It was fine. Eric's nice. But..."

"But?" I prompt, hardly daring to breathe.

She looks up at me, her eyes shining in the moonlight. "But I don’t know..." She pauses. “…I'm sorry," she whispers. "For not telling you about the date. For making you jealous."

I shake my head, pulling her closer. "No, I'm sorry. I overreacted."

Jade smiles, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "So, where do we go from here?"

I take a deep breath, knowing that my next words could change everything. "Forward," I say firmly. "Whatever that entails."

Her answer comes in the form of a kiss. As I go in for a second kiss, "So," she says, a hint of mischief in her voice. "What did you do tonight while I was out?"

I hesitate for a moment, then decide on honesty. "I went on a date," I admit. "With that reporter from Rolling Stone."

Jade props herself up on the stoop, "Really? How did that go?"

I chuckle, shaking my head. "Not at all how I expected.” As I start to explain myself, footsteps approach from inside the house and the door swings open.

“Stop hiding out here, you two,” Xavier says, clearly exhausted carrying a crying Penny, “Uncle Xav is dead tired.”

I take hold of Penny, and she stops crying.

“To be continued,” I whisper, looking down at Jade.