Page 58 of Take My Hand

“Well, I don’t want to risk it, so make sure he’s okay about it.” He kissed my cheek, sending me into another hot mess. “MaybeIshould ask him?”

“No, don’t do that,” I snapped, pulling us to a stop outside our classroom. “Don’t you dare.”

He burst out laughing. “Okay, okay. Chill.” He held up his hand, clearly amused. “I won’t.”

“No, you bloody well won’t.” I shuddered. “No one needs to ask him.”

“He’ll know anyway, Liam is going, and his dad is bound to tell yours.”

He wasn’t wrong. They told each other pretty much everything, especially where Liam and I were concerned.

“We don’t have to go,” Zak offered tentatively. “We could do something else.”

“No, I want to go. It’ll be fun, and honestly, my dad will be fine.” Looking at him and his earnest face, I had a massive urge to kiss him, but not the nerve.

Zak narrowed his eyes on me and smirked knowingly. Leaning closer his mouth slanted over mine andhekissedme. It wasn’t deep or rushed but sweet and slow, his tongue lazily sweeping against mine. As I was about to push against him and possibly ride his thigh, Zak pulled away, smiling.

“Bloody hell, that’s a development.”

At the sound of Liam’s voice, we both turned to see him, Emma and Ana standing watching us, each of them grinning.

“Alright,” Zak said, clutching my hand he brought it in front of him, a clear signal to anyone watching that we were together. It gave me a thrill.

“When did that happen?” Emma asked, blinking like she was sending Morse code with each flutter of her eyelashes.

“He’s liked her for ages,” Liam informed her knowingly.

“They went on a date last night,” Ana added.

Emma whipped her head in her direction. “How did you know that? How did Inotknow that?” She glared at me. “Does Liv know?”

I shook my head. “I only told Ana last night. It was a last minute thing.”

“The date or telling Ana?” she asked, sounding a little hurt.

“Both.” I shrugged. “I didn’t mean to keep it from you, but I just…”

Emma threw her hands in the air. “I get she’s your very best friend, Maddy, but you could have told us.”

Pouting, she hitched her bag further up her shoulder and turned towards the classroom. Liam gave us a tight smile, and then watched her throw the door open.

“She’ll be fine,” he said. “I’ll talk to her.” He jogged after her, leaving Ana staring at us with a raised eyebrow.

“Date went well then?”

Zak chuckled. “Yeah, definitely.”

“If I was you, I’d message Liv,” Ana suggested. “She’s gone to the dentist and is back at lunchtime.”

I nodded and looked towards the classroom that Emma had disappeared into. She was right, Ana was my very best friend, but I could have easily let Emma and Liv know later in the evening. I would have been upset, too, if she hadn’t told me.

“She’ll be fine. You know she’s a drama queen,” Ana added. “Now come on before we get into trouble for being late.”

I looked up at Zak, unease making my chest tight. “I should have told her, and Liv.”

“Like Ana said, she’ll be fine.” He gave me a quick kiss. “Now, come on let’s get in there.”

Nodding, I let him tow me in, sad that I’d upset my friend, and that it had marred my excitement of what was starting with Zak.

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