The next day Zenia awoke with a smile on her face. The same smile that Justin was responsible for putting there the night before. She was still in a daze and caught herself touching her hand to lips as if she couldn't believe that it actually happened. She got up and popped her head in Grace's room, seeing her small form was still cuddled under her blanket sleeping soundly. 


Zenia was an early riser. After years of working early shifts, her body was trained to wake up early. She made her way to the kitchen and brewed a pot of coffee. She wondered if Justin was awake and had the urge to text him. 



Good morning :)


She sat down at her dining table, coffee mug in one hand, her phone in the other, anxiously waiting a response. 


Good morning, sunshine!


You're up early.


You are too. What do you have planned for today?


Zenia hesitated before answering, knowing she had plans to take Grace to the zoo today. She wanted to extend an invitation to Justin, but wasn't sure how he would take it. She would be embarrassed if he turned her down. She also wanted to make sure it was okay with her daughter before bringing along this new man on their zoo trip.


Possibly going to the zoo with Gracie. What about you?


Zenia heard Grace shuffling into the kitchen, her curls frizzy and going in every direction. "Morning, Gracie Bug."


"Morning, mama. I'm hungry."


Zenia got up to make Grace some toast and bacon to prepare for their day at the zoo. She and Grace ate and chatted about random things and Zenia was pleasantly surprised that Grace was the one who brought up Justin.


"Mommy, when is Justin coming back?" She asked innocently.


"I'm not sure, baby. I talked to him earlier and told him we were going to the zoo today." Zenia didn't want to force Justin's company on Grace. She wanted things to happen organically. 


"Can he come with us?" Grace asked. 


Zenia smiled at her daughter, both excited for herself that she may be able to see Justin again today and for Grace who seemed to take a liking to him as well.


"I'll ask him."


Zenia checked her phone and noticed a text from Justin already. 


I don't have any plans today. What time are you going to the zoo?


Instead of replying, Zenia dialed his number and waited for him to answer. 


"I thought you not replying was your subtle way of telling me you don't want me to join you at the zoo." Justin answered, a lightheartedness in his voice.


Zenia laughed. "I was making breakfast for me and Grace and then we ate. Speaking of the zoo, she asked me if you would come with us."


"Oh, really? Grace wants me to come to the zoo? What about Zenia? Does Zenia want me to come to the zoo?" Justin teased. 


"I might," She teased back. Zenia was enjoying this playful banter with Justin. She wondered if their conversation would be awkward after the kiss they had the night before. Neither one of them had mentioned it since then. 


"Well, how about you and Grace meet me at the zoo around 2pm. Hopefully then you will have decided once you see my face," 


"You're so full of yourself, Justin, " Zenia laughed. "Okay, we'll see you at 2."


'Bye, Z"


--


Justin got to the zoo a little before 2 o'clock and was waiting at the entrance impatiently. He was very excited to spend time with Grace and Zenia again and to do something a little normal for once. 


Zenia pulled up to the zoo parking lot and noticed very few cars in the lot, which she thought was unusual for a nice day like today. She figured the place would be crawling with kids and families, especially since it was summer. She found a parking space close to the entrance, noticing Justin standing leisurely near the ticket booth. He was looking at his phone and texting, unaware that they had arrived. 


"Hmm, I see the face but I'm not sure my mind is made up," Zenia teased, she and Grace walking up to meet Justin.


Justin looked up from his phone and beamed. "I'm sure I could do something that would make that a definite yes."


Zenia's cheeks warmed as she realized he was referencing the kiss they had shared, but with Gracie present she didn't want to mention that. 


"Tell me later, " She smiled back. "So why is the zoo so dead today? I thought there would be so many people here."


"Let's just say, I made a quick phone call this morning to the owner. We have the zoo to ourselves for the next 2 hours,"


Zenia gasped, "Justin! You didn't!"


Grace jumped up and down and squealed at this. "The whole zoo is ours?"


"For the next two hours, Yep. All yours, Grace!" Justin said, proudly. Being who he was, Justin wanted to be enjoy the zoo without having to worry about cameras and fans. As much as he loved his fans, he wanted Zenia and Grace to feel comfortable on this outing with him. One of the perks of being a celebrity, was that he could make a quick phone call and  shut a whole establishment down just for himself. He hated to be that person sometimes, but knew it was also useful in some instances.


"Let's not waste any time. Come on, girls!" He said grabbing Zenia's hand and leading them inside.


--
 
As their two hours was coming to a close, Justin, Zenia and Grace walked out of the zoo and towards her car. They had a great time. Grace was excited about every animal they saw, especially the elephants. Zenia closely watched their interactions and was impressed with how good Justin was with her. 


Walking around the zoo with no other people around other than the staff was different, but Zenia understood why Justin had to do this. The last thing they needed was fans coming up to them asking about their relationship status, when truthfully she didn't know what that was either. She thought they were friends up until that kiss. 


"Mommy, I'm so tired. My legs hurt, " Grace complained, opening the the car door and getting in the backseat. 


"Just rest your legs for a second, honey. I'm going to talk to Justin. Tell him thank you for such a good day at the zoo?" 


"Thank you, Justin," Grace whined, buckling herself into her seat.


Justin chuckled, "No problem, kiddo. See ya."


Zenia shut the door, went around to the drivers side to turn the car on so that Grace could cool down. Turning back around to face Justin who was looking at her intently. Small beads of sweat formed at his brow and Zenia couldn't help but think the man was gorgeous even when sweaty.


"So, thank you for this Justin.." Zenia said.


"You're welcome. I had a lot of fun, Z. Seems like Grace did too," Justin pointed to the backseat where Grace was already drifting off to sleep. 


"Yeah, she did. You're really good with her."


"I like kids and apparently they like me, "  he joked.


Zenia bit her lip nervously, anxious to bring up the unspoken issue. "So, um.."


"The kiss, right? I'm not sure what came over me. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable," He started.


Zenia cut him off, placing her lips on his. She hoped that it was safe since hardly anyone was around to recognize him. He reciprocated the kiss, and placed his hands firmly on her waist.


She pulled back and gazed at him. His eyes locked in on hers. "I don't think friends kiss like this," Zenia stated.


"I don't think they do," He smiled.


"What does this mean?" She asked. She wanted to leave the ball in his court. She was silently hoping that he wanted more than a friendship at this point.


"I'd like to keep hanging out and more and see where this goes.  What about you?" He answered, his hands lightly squeezed her waist.


"Yeah, let's do that," She replied, draping her arms around his neck and pulling him back down for another kiss.