Page 62 of Take My Hand

“I suppose we’ll find out, won’t we,” I replied, sighing heavily.

Marcus gave me a wry smile. “I suppose you will, mate. And if Maddy doesn’t approve you can always introduce her to me.”

It was illogical, but I wanted to punch my friend in the face for even thinking it. And I knew that if Maddy didn’t like Maya, I would be devastated.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Maddy

My dad looked like he might be about to puke. I’d never seen him so nervous. He was the one who was always confident, always telling me everything would be okay—not at all like the anxious man staring out of the window.

“Dad, it’s going to be fine. I’m sure I’ll like her.”

His head whipped in my direction. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Watching him frown, I walked over to him and held out my hand. “Take my hand, Daddy,” I said the words he always gave to me when I was upset or worried.

Without thinking, he did just that but when I giggled, he shook me away. “I’m fine, you idiot.”

“You’re the idiot,” I scoffed. “Getting so worked up to point of nearly passing out.”

“I am not.” He returned his gaze to the window, and instantly his back stiffened. When his hands linked at the back of his neck, I knew Maya had arrived.

Placing my hand on his back, I patted it gently. “Breathe, Dad.”

He blew out a breath. “What if you don’t like her?”

“What if she doesn’t like me?”

He turned to me and frowned. “Then she’s not the person for me. Anyway, she will. What’s not to like, you’re like me?”

“Exactly!” I jumped back to dodge his hand that I knew was going to tickle me. “Want me to let her in?”

“No, I’ll go.” He pulled his shoulders back and left.

Waiting for them to come back into the room my own nerves hit. Dad was clearly smitten by Maya, and I didn’t want to let him down. I was genuinely worried that she wouldn’t like me because if she didn’t, I knew it would upset Dad. As much as he liked her, I knew that I was the most important person in his life. The pressure to be perfect for him was making me feel a little sick, too, but I hoped that I’d masked it from him.

Having no more time to worry about it, the door to the lounge opened and Dad led Maya into the room. My instant impression was how beautiful she was and how jealous I was of her hair. Long, thick, wavy and shiny hair was what I aspired to have. As for her clothes who knew that a brown flowered smock dress would look so good with thick tights and brown Dr Marten boots? She had the sleeves pushed up to show off an armful of bronze bangles, and I made a mental note to try and find some for myself.

“This is Maddy,” Dad said throatily, dragging my attention away from Maya.

“Hi.” I gave a little wave.

“Hi, Maddy. Great to meet you.” Maya tucked her hair behind her ear and took a half step forward. She hesitated for a split second but then opened up her arms and pulled me into a hug. She smelled lovely, too, and I knew I had my new femalecrush, style-wise at least. I just hoped that her personality was as gorgeous as she looked.

“Lovely to meet you, too.” I looked over her shoulder at my dad, not before noting how great her extra-large hoop earrings were. He was almost bouncing on his toes, desperate to know whether Maya and I were going to hit it off.

We pulled apart, and Maya took a step back, glancing at Dad over her shoulder. “She looks like you.”

“Gorgeous then,” he stated with a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes, but when his shoulders dropped I was glad to see that he’d relaxed a little bit.

“I really don’t know what you see in him,” I muttered.

Maya laughed and shrugged. “I think maybe I was drunk.”

Dad grinned, and I knew that I already liked her. Unless she was the best actress in the world, or I was the most stupid person on the planet, she seemed lovely, and I was glad for my dad.

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