Page 161 of Take My Hand

Her eyes fluttered closed, and then she nodded. “I know. I just miss you.”

The feeling that swept through me felt like warmth had been injected into my veins. The heat reached every single pore, every single nerve ending, and mixed with the excitement that hadn’t stop swirling since I’d met Maya. Being a kid on Christmas morning had nothing on how waking up every day with Maya as mine felt.

“I miss you, too.” I kissed her forehead. “Now, go to sleep and shout if you need anything. Do not get out of bed.”

“Okay.” Her response was resigned as she pulled the duvet up.

“Pills are next to the bed.” I didn’t want to leave her, but she really did need to sleep.

“How’s Maddy. She told me about Zak’s horrible ex-girlfriend.”

“She’s fine. I think she’s more worried about Ana not turning up to go with them. Her words to me about the ex were, ‘She’s insignificant to me, and if he chooses her over me then he’s not the boy I thought he was.’”

Maya chuckled, and when her eyelids slowly closed, I knew it was time to let her sleep.

“Night, gorgeous,” I whispered. “I love you.”

And I did. More than I thought possible so quickly. More than I’d expected.

“Love you, too,” she whispered back, and that warmth just spread wider, filling ever corner of my being.

Maya’s Diary Entry

I can’t write much because I’m so tired and in a fair amount of pain. I had to write this down, though. We told each other that we love one another. I know he first said it after the accident, but he’s said it again since. I love him, too and I can’t believe how happy I am – apart from the pain. Maddy doesn’t seem to be bothered about me staying here while I get better, which is a huge relief.

I really need to sleep. I just wish it was with Will in his bed

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Maddy

“Maya still asleep, Dad?” I asked, as I gathered my school books together.

“Yeah.”

He rubbed a hand over his face, and I noticed how tired he looked. “Did you sleep at all last night?”

“Yeah,” he said with a yawn, “but I kept waking up thinking I’d heard her moving around. I just checked on her, though, and she’s fast asleep.”

“Just leave her as long as you can. Sleep is good for healing the body.”

He reached out and pulled me closer, kissing my forehead. “I know.” When he let me go he scratched at his chest and yawned again. “I might just try and catch a bit more sleep once you’ve gone.”

I glanced at the clock on the cooker, to see it was only half seven. “You didn’t need to get up with me, you know.”

“I know, but I haven’t seen you all weekend, plus I wanted to be sure that you’re okay with her staying.”

My eyes almost bulged out of my head. “What? Of course I’m okay with it. I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t brought her back here.”

Dad’s shoulder’s sagged in relief. “You’re a good girl, Mads.”

“I know I am. Be very grateful for me, and now go back to bed.” I gave him a hug. “I need to go because Zak will be here soon.”

“Is he in his mum’s car today?”

“Nope, he’s riding his bike over and then walking me to school.”

Dad’s eyes rolled. “Suck up.”

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