The cold water shocked my naked back. Nevertheless I stood firmly under the shower head letting the ice water clean my shamed body. It wasn’t even possible for me to think any more of how much I wished last night had never happened. I couldn’t seem to find any sense in it or sort it out at all. I only kept thinking if there was something more behind it. Why was being near Zac so hard for me? I was asleep, I was the victim! Or was I? Guilt pumped through my veins and I turned the faucet colder. My muscles tensed up. Did I like Taylor? Could that happen? No. I hopped out of the shower and blanketed myself in the oversized hotel towel. My teeth chattered and I pulled the towel tighter around my shoulders. ‘Forget about it,’ I told myself. I didn’t want to ruin my time with Zac as the time was already so short and I didn’t want to spoil things. I only had today to spend with him and then that would be it until who knows when!

I decided to gussy myself up again. I wore a tight, long bell sleeved, soft, green v-neck that brought out the green sparks in my eyes. That combined with my leather boots and tight ball-of-hair-half-ponytail thing I had going made me feel quite cosmopolitan.

I heard a knock on the door, “Just a minute!” I called as I applied my lip gloss and got my stuff to vacate the bathroom. When I opened the door I was startled by the tall tantalizing figure before me. Taylor smiled when my eyes grew large at his site. I looked down fast and headed out the door, but he didn’t move from the doorway. I glanced back up at his engaged blue eyes for an answer.

“Sam, about last night,” Taylor began, “I’m sorry.” He ran his hand up my arm in a way that sent shivers up and down my entire body making me a nervous wreck. Without answering his seemingly insincere apology I walked out to the room.

“I’m ready!” I told Zac. He looked amazing. His golden hair seemed to fall perfectly at his broad shoulders and back that I loved so much. He wore a navy blue button up shirt and tight corduroy pants. I had to fight the temptation to rip his shirt off right then.

“Okay, just a sec- I’ll call the main desk,” he told me. I grabbed my jacket and waited at his side for him to hang up. When he did, he turned to me and smiled pleasantly, “Are you feeling better?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I smiled sheepishly. Happiness spread over my body as his hand touched my face and he tapped my lips with his own. “A car is waiting for us outside,” he told me taking my hand as I followed him out.

“So where are we shopping at?” I asked once inside the Lincoln Towncar.

“I figured we’d start out in Soho rather than the Times Square/Rockefeller/5th Avenue thing. We’re less likely to be bothered, you know?”

“Sounds good,” I told him letting my hand fall into his lap where his hand quickly joined with mine.

I bought Zac a bucket hat from a street salesman for $5. It was navy blue with two white horizontal lines. I told him he could try hiding under it after we were spotted by two college girls. I didn’t think the girls would freak out like they did because they were older, but sure enough, we both heard the squeals and knew. He was nice and signed two autographs for them but declined on the offer to go back with them to their hotel. I guess they didn’t notice Zac holding my hand?

We went to a small French restaurant for lunch, well brunch really, it was only 11 AM and we hadn’t had breakfast yet. The baguettes were delicious and the place was beautiful. I felt like we were at an enchanted hideout because the restaurant was underground and you never would have thought the inside would be so decorated by the dismal look of the outside. We picked it since it looked nearly deserted and we were right. Besides us there was only an elderly couple and a buisness man dining.

The day had been fun so far and I was feeling more and more comfortable by the second with the new relationship between Zac and me. It felt good to be his girlfriend. At first things had been awkward and I wasn’t sure of exactly how to act: whether to still be Silly Sammy or Sexy Sam. Things were all finally falling into place: I could balance the silly and sexy at the same time and both characters were now what made me myself. This new revelation made me even more comfortable around Zac. The only obstacle I had to tackle now was the Taylor issue. I was ready, I could tell him. I had to tell him.

“Sam,” Zac said, “I have something for you.”

“Really?” I was surprised, “What for?”

“Don’t you think I forgot your 15th birthday is in 2 weeks! And, well, I don’t know if I’ll get to see you then, so I figured....” He smiled moving his head from left to right waiting for my response.

“That’s sweet Zac,” I smiled.

He reached deep into his pocket and pulled out a long grey velvet case and laid it in front of me. I looked to him then to the box in front of me. I flipped the clasps open carefully and slowly opened the case to reveal a stunning necklace. It was a small diamond pendant on a gold chain. I was breathless. It was so beautiful and perfect! He knew exactly my taste, simple but elegant. I looked up to his bright face with jubilance.

“I love it!” I finally told him. He moved to my side and helped me put it on. I kissed him, slowly at first, then more involved. Our kiss lasted until our waitress presented us with our dessert. It was a chocolate mousse cake with raspberries. We took turns feeding each other until even every raspberry was gone and we were both stuffed.

We had a moment of silence when I began thinking. I couldn’t let things wait. I knew it would be rocky, but I had to say something before anything else happened with Taylor. I knew Zac would be upset, I just hoped he wouldn’t be so upset with me that it would ruin our weekend. It just wasn’t right, I shouldn’t have to feel strange around Taylor. I had to say something even if last nights events were partly my fault. I swallowed hard and focused on Zac’s creamy brown eyes.

“Zac,” I trembled as he gaped at me, “I have to tell you something.”