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Zak studied me, opened his mouth, and then closed it again. After licking his lips, he nodded. “Okay, I know how it must have looked, but I know Connie. Me being harsh with her back at the house and ignoring her didn’t seem to have worked, she’s been following me around all night.” I thrust my hands to my hips, annoyed that she hadn’t taken the hint. “Yeah, I know. Whenever I went to the bar, the toilet, when I went to get you some food, when I went outside for a smoke, she followed me and each time I practically told her to fuck off. When I came out of the toilet this last time she was there, waiting. So,” he saidwith a huge sigh, “I thought I’d try being nice. Try talking to her and explaining that it wasn’t going to happen because of how I feel about you.”
Before he said that, it felt like my heart had been deflated, like a dinghy, and then it unfurled with each pump of air it received. It expanded to the point of pain, because I was in no doubt that I was in love with him. Deep, bone crushing love that no matter what happened would stay with me forever. He was my first love and the idea of him even talking to his ex-girlfriend had hurt more than I could imagine.
“And did it work?” I asked quietly.
“I think so. I told her about school, about our circle of friends, about the parties we’ve been to, the laughs we have, and the shit that we talk about.” His arms came out and wrapped around my shoulders, and instantly I was plastered against his chest, his mouth against my forehead. “And then I told her I was happy and loving my new life, and it was mainly because of you. I told her what I had with you was different than what I’d had with her.”
Leaning back, so that I could look at him, I asked, “How?”
“It’s real, Maddy. What we have feels like the start of something. I know we’re young and we’re about to start on the next big step in our lives, but I just feel like maybe…” He blew out a breath. “I don’t know, I’m shit at words.”
It didn’t matter because I knew exactly what he was saying because I could see it in his eyes. The honesty.
“When you came over,” he said, “I was telling her about and me and Liam trying to get Liv’s case out of the rack on the train and how it got wedged in. That’s what we were laughing at, but I know it must have looked bad and I should have come to find you.”
“And what did she whisper in your ear?” I asked, unable to stop myself from poking at the sore that was still festering in my chest. “What was it that made you smile?
He rubbed his bottom lip with his thumb, his silver ring brushing against his chin, and he looked so worried it was quite cute. “She asked me how I felt about you. Whether it was the real thing or not.”
The relief was instant. That smilehadbeen for me.
“It’s fine,” I said. “Let’s forget about her. I believe you.” I was about to move in for a kiss when I saw Connie approaching us. She was smiling, but I wasn’t totally convinced. I wasn’t sure that one conversation would sway her from chasing my boyfriend. I cleared my throat. “Connie is coming this way.”
“Fucking hell.” Zak groaned. “I didn’t tell her we could be best friends.”
“It’s fine. We can be nice for a few minutes, but then can we go home?Please.”
“Yes, sure,” He took his phone from his pocket. “I’ll message everyone and get them to meet us at the front door.” He plastered on a grin. “Hey, Connie.”
“Hey you two. I’m just heading home, so thought I’d say goodb?—”
“Shit!”
“What the fuck,” Zak groaned as we found ourselves covered in beer from a guy who had lurched into us.
“Oh, sorry, geezer,” he slurred, laughing as he stumbled away.
“You okay?” Zak asked me.
“Yeah.” I shook the beer from my hands and then brushed it away from the short, red jersey dress I was wearing—yes, I’d chosen a red dress, too. “Did he get you?”
“My phone is soaked, I’m soaked.”
“Pass me your phone,” Connie said. “I have tissues in my bag.” She unzipped the blue Pom Pom London bag that she had across her body. When she took out the packet of tissues, she held her hand out to Zak. “Phone.”
Zak handed it over and then turned his attention to his t-shirt and jeans. When he looked up at me he started to laugh. “You’re a bit wet, gorgeous.”
“Just a bit.” I giggled, throwing myself into his arms and kissing him hard.
I wasn’t sure how long we were kissing for, a fair while, but we were interrupted by Connie clearing her throat.
“Sorry,” I said, pulling away from Zak and biting my bottom lip.
Her smile was tight, but it was a smile. “Here you go.” She handed Zak his phone back. “It’s all cleaned up and dry.”
“Cheers, Connie.” Zak wrapped an arm around me and pulled me into his side. “Been good seeing you.”
“Yeah, you, too.” She turned to me. “Nice to meet you, Maggie.”
