Page 19 of For the Love of Lily

“Of course not.” I snuggled closer. “That’s so sweet of you, thank you.”

“Was there anything wrong? You seemed tense. I thought we worked all your tension out before we left?”

I blushed at the memory. “I’ve never introduced anyone to them all like that before. I felt pressure that everyone should get on. I was worried about you and Luke. I want my boyfriend and my best friend to like each other,” I explained, then buried my head in the pillow with embarrassment. “Crap, sorry.”

“What are you doing?” Zack laughed as he pulled the pillow away. “Sorry for what?”

“I didn’t mean to say the b word, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think I’m assuming anything. I don’t know how serious you want this to be-” My words were cut off as Zack kissed me.

“You don’t realise how special you are,” Zack said. “I definitely want to be your boyfriend, sort of hoped I already was, to be honest. I just didn’t want to put any more pressure on.”

I kissed him again, the tingle of his minty breath on mine telling me that he must also have crept out of bed to brush his teeth. “I feel like I should write you a note, like we’re at school,” I smiled. “Zack, do you want to be my boyfriend?” I couldn’t help but giggle.

“You’re crazy… answer is yes by the way.” He slid his hand around me and squeezed my bottom for a second. “I want to undress you right now, but I have to get the train at eleven. I need to get to that stag do, remember?” he asked. “Am I OK to get a shower? Let you rest a few more minutes?”

“Sure,” I said sleepily as I snuggled back under the duvet. “So, me and you, this is official?”

“Yep, you’re stuck with me.” He kissed me once more before he went into the bathroom. Just in time for me to remember I was in debt to the tune of one blow job!

“I’m the worst girlfriend in the world,” I blurted out as he headed back into the bedroom ten minutes later, wrapped in a towel. “I didn’t mean to forget the mouth deal.”

“Stop worrying.” He sat next to me, his skin hot and damp, as he stroked my cheek. “You got drunk, it doesn’t matter. It’s one night. We have lots of nights to come, don’t we?”

I nodded. “I hope so.”

“I know so. I enjoyed what happened as much as you did, so relax.”

I threw on jeans and an off the shoulder jumper and tied my hair into a messy bun as we sat at the table with coffee.

“Are you OK about the stag do? From what you told me about your ex, I don’t want you to think for a minute I’d ever do anything like that.”

“Zack,” I took hold of his hand. “You are the sweetest. In all honesty, yes, it’s crossed my mind, yes, it’s stressed me out. I’ll be imagining strippers and all kinds of madness later. Every thought I’ve had about you and the stag do led me back to the fact that I trust you. Just the fact that you are worrying about me worrying, it speaks volumes.” Zack kissed my forehead. “I wouldn’t project anyone else’s failings onto you, ever.”

“Lately, I can’t concentrate on anything,” Zack admitted. “I think about you all the time. So, even if there was a stripper, I’d spend the whole time telling her about how brilliant you are.” He smiled as he lifted his coffee mug to his lips again. “The more I get to know you, the nicer this is. The way you’ve been so honest about your past and how it still worries you, it’s refreshing. And in spite of that you’re so open to this, and to me. I feel like the luckiest man in the world right now.” He paused for a moment. “I need to say sorry too. I was jealous last night, about how close you and Luke are, and I know I sounded stroppy.”

“You don’t have anything to be jealous of. I know me and Luke are crazy close, but it’s no different to how I am with Cassie.” I looked up at him contentedly, playing with his fingers in our intertwined hands. “Sometimes I get panicky about this. I feel like I’m jumping in too deep, too soon. I convince myself I’m being ridiculous. But then when I’m with you…” I looked down at the table, feeling silly. “When I’m with you, it all feels so natural and right. I don’t doubt myself when we’re together.”

Zack tilted my chin up and placed a single, teasing kiss to my lips. “Only one solution to that then, you need to be with me as much as possible. I sort of wish I wasn’t going on this stag do, so I could stay with you. However, the fact there’s a stag do means there’s a wedding.”

I nodded and took a bite of cold toast.

“It’s in two weeks, in a castle in Scotland. And I have a plus one…” He raised an eyebrow. “Now, as much as I fancy taking Adam, I thought it might be better to ask you. Would you be my wedding date?”

I grinned. “You had me at castle.”

As soon as Zack left for the train, I went straight back to bed to sleep the hangover off. This whole situation got better and better.

Seven

An evening devouring pizza whilst gorging on trashy television was well overdue. It was refreshing to have some time alone. I thought about Cassie and how she was sure I was falling in love and this was meant to be. I thought about Luke and how he said I was rushing this and needed to think. My specific feelings were a mystery to me, but I did know it was exciting to be invited to a wedding. I hadn’t met any of Zack’s friends other than Adam, so this would be a big step for us both. As I lay on the couch googling dresses and shoes, my phone pinged with a message from Luke.

Hey, hope you’re feeling OK after last night?

Yeah, lying on the couch eating pizza is strangely therapeutic! Did much happen after I left?

Nah, just the usual. Much for you?

Passed out, basically. Zack had to go, he’s on a stag do, so I can slob now!

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