Page 95 of Take My Hand

“No, but he’s got a point. You’d have a much better time doing your uni experience away from home.”

“He has said something, hasn’t he?” I smarted, nudging him in the ribs.

“Ow, and no, he hasn’t. I just think you should go away.” He pulled on my hair. “I hear Edinburgh is good.”

“That’s where you’re going isn’t it?” Liam laughed loudly. “You soppy dick.”

“Exactly.” Zak’s voice was low and full of innuendo, and there was that warm feeling again. Quickly followed by a cold snap of dread because I had no idea whether he meant it or was he just being nice, or worse, playing to the audience.

“You don’t want me there spoiling your rep,” I joked, holding my breath because I still didn’t know where we stood once he went away to university. We hadn’t talked about it—whether we would do the long distance thing or not. The problem was I didn’t want to talk about it, only because I was scared what he would say. In case he decided it wasn’t what he wanted.

“Babe, I wouldn’t want you anywhere else,” he whispered, and all my fears disappeared. “And besides, I have no rep for you to spoil.”

“Right,” Ana said, jumping to her feet. “I’ll wash the dishes why you all decide which film we’re going to watch.”

Everyone passed her their plates and mugs, and we watched as she practically skipped from the room.

“She’s in a better mood,” Liv whispered, thumbing over her shoulder.

“I know,” Emma added. “She won’t say what was wrong, though.”

“She’ll tell us if she wants to.” I sighed and looked towards the door that Ana had disappeared through. “As long as she’s okay, now.”

Zak took my hand in his and linked our fingers. “She’ll be fine, babe.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I know.”

“Right,” Zak announced. “Ana said we had to pick a film, so what are we watching?”

Everyone shouted out suggestions, arguing about the best thing to watch. We still hadn’t decided when Ana came back and demanded that we watch a romantic comedy. We all groaned, but deep down, were glad that she was feeling okay again. Grumpy Ana was not my favourite Ana.

As we settled down to watch it, I moved in closer to Zak, the arms of his hoody that I was wearing covering my hands and my knees. I lowered my head and inhaled the smell of his aftershaveand when he kissed my cheek and whispered, ‘Okay, babe?’ I nodded and knew that I didn’t want to let him go without me. I just wasn’t sure whether he really wanted the same.

Maya’s Diary Entry

I feel free and joyful like a teenager. Like I have no responsibilities. I feel amazing. I think I’m in love. I know I’m in love. Will left earlier after staying here since yesterday afternoon. He came to the wedding on Friday night, and my family loved him. They thought he was hilarious, especially my mum. She was flirting with him all night. Even the kids loved him and had him on the dance floor for ages. Daisy even said she wanted to marry him when she’s older. It was cute, and Will told her he was sure she’d meet someone much better for her.

It had to be the best night of my life. We had sex all night—almost. I think we fell asleep about half five, but I woke him up again because I was desperate for him. Couldn’t get enough. He is the best sex I ever had. EVER. Amazing. Perfect. Sexy. Hot. There are too many words to express what Will is like, or how he makes me feel.

I don’t think I ever felt like this for anyone before. He makes me happy. He makes me feel excited and nervous. He makes me feel everything. I just want to be with him all the time. I just hope we can do this. I just hope this is it. I really want it to work. I just hope I’m not getting ahead of myself.

He’s so amazing!

Chapter Thirty-Four

Will

Teenage boys. They’d been in my house while I’d been away. I could smell it. It was a mixture of aftershave, farts, and sweaty armpits.

Maddy had at least told me that they’d been there, but I was sure there was more to it than that. She wasn’t spilling, though, no matter how much I questioned her. That had pissed me off because Maddy never lied to me. At least I didn’t think she did—how the fuck did I know? She was a bloody teenager; it was part of their DNA.

“What’s wrong with your face?” Marcus asked, as he passed me a mug of tea while we took ten minutes before we got ready for opening. “I thought a weekend with the new girlfriend would have put a smile on that ugly jib of yours.”

Girlfriend! We hadn’t had that conversation but after the weekend, it was probably long overdue. As far as I was concerned, she was, but I needed to at least ask Maya.

“Yeah, the weekend was good. It’s what went on at home that bothers me.”

“Maddy been up to no good?”

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