My drunken slumber comes to an end when Zach rolls to get off the bed, and when I hear the bathroom door click into place, I attempt to open my eyes.

I should have invested in those blinds for my windows because as soon as the blazing light hits my retinas, the burn shoots straight to my brain, causing me to go blind. Against my better judgment, I attempt to sit up, but as soon as my feet hit the chilled floor, the world begins to spin.

Sprawling back against my soft sheets, I desperately reach for my pillow and slam it against my face to alleviate the pain. The glorious effects of last night's drinks are long gone, replaced with the feeling of a pulsing headache and death knocking on my door.

The bed dips, and I feel a hand clutch the pillow, and I fight to keep it in place. The sand in my throat is stubborn, and despite my attempts to moisturize it, my words come out raspy and forced. "The next words out of your mouth better be 'I'm sorry' and 'Here's the antidote.'"

Vibrations of laughter shake the bed, and I roll to the side, covering my ears from the harsh noise. "I'm sorry you drank more than you could handle last night."

"It's not funny, Zach," I whine as I throw my pillow in his direction. Missing by a long shot, it lands on the floor with a thud.

"Do you want me to get you some aspirin?"

"Yes, please." Directing him to the bathroom, I say, "Top shelf of the medicine cabinet."

While my fingers press firm circles on my temples, Zach returns with the pills and a cup of water. I mutter a simple, "Thank you," and pop the medicine in my mouth. Even with water, the pills painfully scrape against my throat as I try to force them down.

"Lay back down, Gemma," Zach instructs, "Give yourself a minute."

Zach lays beside me, and I nuzzle my face in the crook of his shoulder, taking in deep breaths of his manly scent to calm myself down. His tender hand rubs the top of my head as if he is trying to ease the pain. "How are you not hungover?"

He chuckles even though I am genuinely curious how I am dying, and he is walking around like it is any other morning. "I have more experience, I guess."

"Perks of being an old man, I guess."

The sound of my bedroom door crashing against the wall causes me to jump, and a lightning bolt darts through my brain.

Once the pain dissipates, I find Dom leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed and a smirk plastered on his face. "What do we have here?"

Even though I am fully clothed, I frantically stretch my blanket up to my neck. "Dom! What are you doing here?"

His dismissive blink makes me feel as if what I asked is the dumbest thing in the world. "I live here, Gemma, why wouldn't I be here?"

If I clench my jaw any tighter, I might crack a tooth. "That's not what I meant."

Dom's laugh almost sounds demonic as it rings through my throbbing head. "Raymond is coming home today, and Kenny asked if I could come along. Can I go?"

"Why couldn't you just call?"

"I did, like five times." Dom steps closer to the bed, and I clench my blanket tightly around me as if it will save me from further embarrassment. He peeks around and waves. "Hi, Zach."

"Hey, Dom."

To make the situation more mortifying, Dom plops down on the next to me. "Nothing, just checking why my sister didn't pick up." Turning back to me, he asks, "So, can I go?"

My eyes close to help slow my racing heart and accept the awkwardness of what is transpiring. "Of course."

"Awesome." Dom starts to leave the room but turns back with a cheeky grin. "I'm happy you finally called him. I was getting tired of hearing about it."

Abruptly slamming my feet on the ground, I point to the door and yell, "Get out!"

I can hear Dom chuckling down the hall, and my hands mask my face as I try to erase the last five minutes from my mind, but the sound of Zach cracking up behind me pulls me from my thoughts.

"God. That kid is awesome."

"Yeah, he's fucking hilarious."

Kneeling up, Zach encircles his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. The intimate position makes my heart sing. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm sure my friends were getting tired of me talking about you too."

Swiveling around, I throw my hands around his neck and ask, "Really?

"100 percent." When he glances down at his watch, his eyes go wide. "I didn't realize it was so late, do you want to grab something to eat?"

The smell of last night's drinks seeps through my pores, leaving a thick cloud of vodka around me. "Do you care if I shower real quick? I feel disgusting."

Zach's grip around my waist tightens, and his mouth curves upwards, sending a jolt to my core. "Sure. Are you okay with stopping by my place so I can clean up too?"

"Deal."

After taking the quickest shower of my life, I throw on a gray t-shirt and grab the first pair of jeans I see. As I walk out of my room to find Zach, I wonder if we should invite Alexis and Nick.

What if this is a date?

Deciding I should just ask Zach what his thoughts are, I walk into the kitchen and spot him at the table playing on his phone. A folded piece of paper on the counter catches my attention, and when I open it, I find a note from Alexis.

Gemma, Went out with Nick, Can't wait to hear about the rest of your night. Mine was fantastic. Love you! ~Alexis

Placing the letter down, I turn to Zach. "I guess the two love birds left without us."

Making his way over to me, he shrugs his broad shoulders. "That's fine. I rather have you to myself anyways."

I guess that answers that question.

Grabbing my purse and keys, I motion my head towards the door. "You ready?"

"Yup." Zach positions his hand on the table before pushing himself up. The moisture in my mouth pools as I watch the muscles flex under his shirt, and a jolt of electricity rushes to my core when I think of them wrapped around me.

Heat floods my body, and I pull hair back into a ponytail to help cool my scorching skin. Zach clutches my hand and guides me outside. "You look beautiful, Gemma."

A nervous giggle erupts from my lips when I look down at my less than impressive outfit. "Thank you, but you don't have to say that. I look like a drowned rat right now."

"Well, I think you look perfect." His words are as smooth as butter as they flow from his mouth. He doesn't need to compliment me. He already has me wrapped around his finger.

Slamming the car door shut, I put on my sunglasses to lessen the effects of the blinding sun, and Zach directs me to his apartment.

Thoughts of caffeine dance through my mind, and maybe some coffee will help relieve the marching band drumming in my head. "Is there a Dunkin' around here?"

"Yeah, actually around the corner from my place."

When it's my turn to place my order, I turn to Zach and ask, "Do you want anything?"

"Sure." He looks over towards the menu and rolls his eyes. "I don't even know why I'm looking. I always get the same thing. Iced Caramel Swirl with just cream, please."

"Really?" My brow rises as I look over to the handsome man sitting next to me. "That's what I usually order."

His delectable dimples pop as his lips turn upwards, sending shivers down my spine. "See. We're perfect for each other."

Pulling into a parking spot, a pit in my stomach begins to form. Unsure if it is my hangover and lack of food in my stomach, or the fact that I am about to walk into Zach's apartment for the first time.

The last twelve hours have seemed like a dream, and reality just struck me in the face.

Zach is here, and I am going out with him.

My breath turns to quick, shallow gasps for air as I walk into the place he calls home.

His place is simple, not over the top, but nicely decorated. Pictures adorn the white pearl walls, but a large TV with different gaming systems attached is the main focus of the room.

Dom would go crazy if he saw Zach's layout and images of the two hanging out playing games together flash through my mind, and I can't help but smile at the thought.

"Give me like five minutes." Pointing to his cotton grey sectional couch, he says, "Make yourself at home."

Sitting down on the sofa, I take a sip of my delicious iced drink before placing it on the industrial style coffee table. The sweet taste of caramel mixed with the tart coffee makes me praise the coffee Gods, thanking them for this precious gift.

Helping to pass the time, I check in with Alexis, wondering how her morning is going with her new loverboy. When I don't get a response, I huff back against the plush couch cushions, and as the minutes drag by, my eyes start to droop. Not wanting to fall asleep on this incredibly comfortable sofa, my eyes begin to wonder.

The hanging pictures catch my eye, and I decide to take a look. Grabbing my perfectly made coffee, I begin to chug, desperate for the caffeine to work its way into my bloodstream.

My heart stops when I get to a photo of Zach in a cap and gown standing next to someone I never expected.

My stomach drops to my toes while the cup I'm holding slips from my hand, splashing its contents on the cream-colored carpet.

Behind me, I hear, "Gemma?"

Slowly turning around, my body shakes, and the pounding of my heart is so intense I feel it in my temples, "You knew Connor Newman?"