Page 30 of Take My Hand

“You, too, Maddy?”

I nodded. “Just the orange juice for me today, please.”

“Be right back.”

She gave Dad a lingering smile, but he was too busy looking down at his phone.

“Still no message?” I asked, leaning across the table and trying to look at his screen.

“No.” He looked up at me and threw his phone down onto the bench seat next to him. “I wasn’t expecting one.” He shrugged. “It was just one of those one-night things.”

I grinned. “Oh, Dad, you are such a liar. You’re devastated, aren’t you?”

“Don’t be so stupid. And I am not a liar.”

“And I beg to differ.” The bell of the café door jingled behind me as I watched him take a surreptitious look at his phone. “Bloody hell, Dad, just call her.”

“I can’t. I don’t have her number.Shesaidshe’dmessageme.”

Smiling up at Monique as she placed two glasses of juice on the table, I prodded Dad’s arm. “That is a huge school boy error, William.”

He also gave Monique a smile, then once she disappeared back to the kitchen, he turned his attention to me. “I know, youdon’t have to remind me, Madeline.” Bringing his glass to his mouth, he paused and raised his eyebrows. “I think you might have a visitor.”

Frowning, I swivelled around in my seat. When I saw Zak walking towards me, I felt the blood drain from my face. My hair was just piled on top of my head, I was wearing my White Fox hoodie and sweatpants, which were one wear away from the washing machine, and my make up consisted of eyeliner and mascara.

“Z-Zak,” I stammered. “What are you doing here?”

He grinned. “Would you believe, breakfast.” He turned to one side. “Amelia didn’t fancy my burnt toast.”

It was then that I noticed a pretty, young, dark-haired girl standing next to him. She gave me a shy smile as she slipped her hand into Zak’s.

“This is my little sister.”

“Hi, Amelia.” Dad cleared his throat, and I swung my gaze between him and Zak. “This is my dad, Will.”

Zak took a step forward and held out his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr Newman.”

My eyes widened as I watched Dad push out of his seat and accept Zak’s handshake. “Will is fine. I take it you’re the new boy, Zak.”

“Yes. Yes, I’m the new boy.” He looked a little unsure as my Dad sat back down. “My parents are both working this morning, so breakfast is my responsibility, and like I said, Amelia doesn’t like burnt toast.”

I looked over at his sister, who was gazing up at him, and I could totally understand why she was looking at him so adoringly. He clearly hadn’t suffered from lack of sleep after a night drinking vodka. His eyes were bright, his hair was sexily dishevelled, and he smelled gorgeous. My heart slammed against my chest as he turned his smile on me.

“What do you recommend?” he asked.

I swallowed and then licked my lips as I tried to regain some composure. Nothing came out, though, when I tried to speak.

“The full English,” Dad said, rescuing me. “With toast.” He winked at Amelia. “And it’s not burned.”

She giggled and buried her face in her brother’s arm. Another woman charmed by my dad, it seemed.

“In fact,” he continued. “I would ask Monique to make you one of her special milk shakes to go with it.”

Amelia gave a little gasp and looked up at Zak. “Can I?” she asked, her voice soft and sweet.

He rubbed a hand over her head and nodded. “I think we can manage that.”

If I thought I’d liked him the night before, it was nothing to how I was feeling watching him interact with his little sister. Not only was my heartbeat erratic, but my stomach felt like it had a million butterflies. Then, when he glanced at me, I thought my lungs might have seized up because I couldn’t breathe.

---