Night to Regret

Run-In

-Elizabeth-

I enjoyed resting on the grass, the epitome of relaxation. It's where I could let my thoughts flutter like leaves on a gentle breeze, where the symphony of chirping birds and rustling trees played a sweet serenade. Fatso flopped beside me, looking like a furry little Buddha, blissfully unbothered by the world around us. I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the sun envelop me like a cozy blanket, occasionally interrupted by Fatso's happy snorts.

"Fatso, my dear," I mused. "This is the life. Just you, me, and the infinite expanse of blue above." Fatso seemed to nod in agreement, his jowls flapping in approval as he drifted into a doggy slumber.

After what felt like a century of tranquility punctuated by the occasional doggy sigh, I finally sat up, stretching my arms above my head like a cat. But as soon as I rose, I was met with a dazzling beam of sunlight that cocooned me in sheer brightness. Blinking against the brilliance, I scrambled to find my bearings. That's when it happened.

Out of nowhere, a figure came barreling towards me — an absolute comet of muscle and determination. Before I could process what was happening, I was hit like a Frisbee on a windy day. From the ground, I saw nothing but dazzling sunspots, and then, just as quickly, I was swept up in a bear hug as strong arms enveloped me.

"Whoa! Watch where you're running!" I tried to yell, but my words were muffled against a rock-hard chest. In a strange twist of fate, I realized that instead of tumbling backward into the unforgiving embrace of the grass, I was being held up... and it felt rather extraordinary.

As I fumbled to regain my balance, I noticed the leash that had been attached to Fatso's collar was somehow tangled around our legs, creating an elaborate doggy zip tie that fashioned us into an absurd, tangled mess right on the grass. I glanced up to chastise my assailant, only to lock eyes with Zayn, who lay before me in sweaty, muscular glory.

"Hey there," he said, his grin wide and disarmingly charming as if he had just won a small fortune rather than crashed into me. "I was hoping I'd run into you... just not like this."

For a moment, I was speechless. Zayn's tanned skin glistened with beads of sweat, his light hair clinging to his forehead as if it had just come out of a passionate relationship with the sun. I couldn't help but notice how his arms—seriously, they were arms built for particular purposes—had me caught in a protective hold, every sinewy muscle pressing against my softer form. It was like being embraced by a couch made entirely of protein.

"Uh, hi?" I finally managed, my voice sounding less confident and far more breathy than intended. My heart somersaulted as I tried to pick my thoughts from the jumble.

"How's it going? I didn't see you there," he said, his grey eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'm just trying to get my run in before sunset, and I guess I lost focus for a second."

"A second? More like a second and a half!" I retorted, suddenly bold as I tried to untangle myself from the sprawling mess of leashes and limbs. Fatso, meanwhile, decided this was the perfect moment to come over and sniff the very spot where muscle met softness. Thanks, buddy.

"Looks like we're quite the duo," Zayn said, eyes dancing as he wrestled with the leash to free us from our accidental entrapment. "Should we call ourselves... Zayliz? Or maybe Elizayn? I'm forever tangled with you now."

"Zayliz sounds like a type of energy drink. I'm not sure I want that associated with me, thanks," I shot back, my cheeks flushing—though I'd be lying if I denied the fun of banter with him.

Finally, after an eternity of laughter and failing to extract ourselves from the leash's grip, we stood apart. My body still hummed from where he had held me, and I felt a silly grin creeping onto my face.

Zayn looked at me with that same infectious grin and said, "How about I make it up to you with some iced coffee? My treat."

"Only if you promise not to crash into me again while you're running," I replied, feeling an unexpected thrill over me.

"As long as you promise to keep watching," he winked, and I couldn't help but laugh.

As I let Fatso roam free, he darted toward Zayn, sporting that charming smile and a casual vibe that made my heart do a little flip. Fatso sniffed him with reckless enthusiasm, his tail wagging like a flag on a victory march. Suddenly, he barked a very assertive "Hello!" as if declaring to the world that this was his territory.

"Whoa there, buddy!" I called out, rushing over to reattach his leash. "I'm so sorry! He's just being a good little bodyguard."

Zayn laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's all good! I think it's adorable. Clearly, he's assessing the competition. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or worried!"

I could feel a flush creeping up my cheeks. "Flattered! Definitely flattered. Fatso always has a way of keeping my dating life in check. He's like my loyal puggy boyfriend," I joked, giving Fatso a gentle scratch behind his ears.

Zayn crouched down to Fatso's level, giving him an exaggerated nod. "You've got an excellent taste in companions, Liz. Tell him I've passed the test. I'm not a cowboy but have my own skill set."

With each moment, my heart raced a little faster. Something about the whole scene—the effortless laughter, the subtle teasing, and now Zayn kneeling on the sidewalk beside my pug- made me feel a flutter of excitement.

"I'm glad you think so," I replied, trying to mask how giddy I felt. "It's hard to find someone who can make it through Fatso's rigorous vetting process."

"Consider me honored," he said, straightening up and giving me that smile that sent a thrill through me. "So, what are you up to today?"

"Nothing, actually. Just relished another lazy day with my puggy boyfriend. Nothing special," I fibbed, internally cringing at the whirlwind my day had been, not to mention the spectacular flops that had me darting from the apartment like it was on fire. "Well, not quite; I attempted to respond to your email... but it bounced," I confessed, striving for a nonchalant air. "It appears your poetic musings don't come with a built-in expectation for replies. Knowledge of literature may be a virtue, but why craft such masterpieces if you're leaving us mere mortals in the dark?"

The moment the words left my lips, my heart suddenly paused. Zayn's eyebrow shot up like I'd just asked him to donate a kidney, and my mind raced with the alarming realization: What if it's not even him? What if I'm caught up in a sketchy scam, convinced that some Demigod of Nerds would deliver me sonnets worthy of Romeo?

"Bounced?" he echoed, and I nodded, desperately searching for an escape route. "Strange. I'll have a chat with Bryan. He handled the last system update," he remarked, his gaze sharp with curiosity.

"And out of that little adventure, what did you write back?" The sly smile he wore felt like a dare.

"I don't dabble in poetry; channeling the greats isn't my strong suit," I replied, throwing on some theatrical flair and hoping it would land. His grin widened, transforming him into a heartthrob straight out of a rom-com. "I suggested coffee," I added, biting my lip as I braced myself.

"Coffee?" Zayn murmured, more to himself than to me, pondering the depths of my caffeine proposal.

"Well, look at that! Fate intervenes! I'd say it's serendipity that we bumped into each other. I hereby accept your invite, and you can pick the spot where I'll be on my best behavior — maybe even throw in some dog treats for the world's most deserving and charming pug boyfriend?" The smile he shot my way felt like it melted my insides, reshuffled my emotions, and sparked a fire that had been lying dormant for ages.

Fatso let out what could best be described as an enthusiastic grunt at the prospect, as if fully endoring the idea. "I think he approves of that," I chuckled. "So, do you have time now, or want to finish jogging first?"

"Absolutely, now!" Zayn leaned in slightly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Maybe we can turn this little pug meet-and-greet into a real adventure."

As we strolled away from the chaotic scene on the grass, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over everything. Fatso trotted alongside us, sniffing around on his little adventures, seemingly oblivious to the newfound bond that had just been ignited. I couldn't shake the electric buzz from our earlier mishap with Zayn. It felt surreal, almost like we were characters in a romantic comedy.

"Are you seeing someone?" He asked suddenly when we neared the coffee stall. "I'm sorry for being forward, but I don't know..." he stopped and ran his hand through his gorgeous, slightly sweaty hair. "I can't explain it."

I felt my cheeks warm and my heart skip a beat. "No. There was someone, but casual. I am not sure I am dating material."

"Well, they must've been blind not to see it," Zayn replied, turning serious momentarily, his gaze locking onto mine. The intensity made my heart skip. "But given how we crashed into each other, maybe that's a sign we should skip the coffee and make it a dinner instead."

"Dinner, huh?" I raised an eyebrow, both intrigued and slightly nervous. "Sounds ambitious after a first encounter like that."

Zayn shrugged, the corners of his lips curling into that charming smile. "What's life without a little ambition? I mean, I've already knocked you off your feet once. What's a little dinner date compared to that?"

I found myself laughing again, a sound that felt foreign yet delightful. The idea of dinner was enticing, a chance to explore this unexpected connection further. "Alright, you've convinced me. But only if you promise no more running into me."

"Deal!" he said with a mock salute, and my heart danced at the playful determination in his voice.

Once we reached the café, we ordered our drinks—an iced coffee for me and something far more adventurous for him, which he claimed was a 'mystery blend.' We settled into a spot where Fatso plopped, and I noticed how Zayn's eyes glistened with teal blue in the sun's rays.

As we waited for our orders, Zayn leaned forward, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. "So, about that email. What were you hoping for? A simple coffee or something more...?"

"It was just a friendly invitation, honestly," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual despite the flutter of nerves. "But I suppose I was also hoping maybe there might be chemistry. Sometimes, it's hard to gauge that through an email."

"And what about now?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave. "Do you think there's chemistry?"

"Let's just say I'm willing to explore the potential," I said, my pulse racing. "Starting with this dinner date you just proposed."

"Perfect." His smile widened, and I felt a warmth spread through me. "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"Nothing." I couldn't help but grin. "I'd love to share dinner with you."

With our plans set, we spent the rest of our time walking, talking, laughing, and discovering shared interests and dreams.

As we walked through the park, our conversation flowed effortlessly. The universe had conspired to bring us together in that chaotic moment. Amidst the tangle of leashes and laughter, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something unexpected-but entirely wonderful.