Saturday goes by in a blur. We go out on the boat, take turns on the jet skis, have lunch on the other side of the lake at a little spot that has live music and an outdoor bar, and then come back to the cabin for a nap with plans to go out as a group tonight.
I haven’t seen much of Nathan or Zeke. They both stayed back at the cabin today. Nathan was still sleeping when we left, and Zeke opted out so someone else could go on the boat.
I set the alarm on my phone for thirty minutes before the agreed meetup time and climb into bed fully clothed. I’m about to turn on my sleeping playlist when I remember Zeke said he’d made a new one for me.
I’m humming with anticipation as I scroll through Zeke’s playlists, skimming titles for one that might be new, uncertain what I’m looking for exactly but hoping I’ll know it when I see it. As it turns out, I do. At the very bottom of the list is one I’ve never seen before and his labeling makes it clear this one is for me. For Gabby. Concise and to the point.
When I open my playlist, my gaze snags on the sub-title, You’re beautiful on the outside too. My heart is pounding as I scan the list of songs. Each one has the word beautiful, sexy, hot, gorgeous, and my personal favorite, bootylicious, in the title.
When I press play and Snoop Dogg’s “Beautiful” plays, I laugh and sigh and swoon all at the same time. It’s the nicest and most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. And wait, Zeke thinks I’m beautiful? I don’t play it cool for even a second as I open my texts and send him a message to verify the new information.
Me: You think I’m beautiful?
He doesn’t respond until the fourth song is playing and I’m hanging on every word of “Beautiful” by Bazzi like Zeke is singing it to me himself.
Zeke: Found the playlist, huh?
Zeke: Yes, Gabby, I think you’re beautiful.
I give a little squeal and then remember he’s staying in the same cabin and quite possibly within hearing distance.
Me: What are you doing right now?
Zeke: At the driving range with some of the guys.
Me: Are you going out tonight?
Zeke: Yes. It’s non-negotiable fun according to Joel.
Zeke: What are you up to?
Me: Getting ready to nap and listening to my playlist.
Zeke: Enjoy, beautiful girl.