“I can promise you, you did absolutely nothing wrong.” I ran my hand through my hair, wondering what the hell had come over me. Why was my heart beating out of my chest? Why was I struggling to breathe? Why the hell was my mouth so dry?

  “That’s good to know.” Maya exhaled, and I wondered whether it was from relief. I hoped it was and not frustration or boredom from talking to me. “Anyway, I was erm…”

  “If you need to go then it’s fine. Thanks for checking in.” I didn’t want her to go. What I really wanted to do was yell at her to just talk to me for a little longer. Then she could go back to her own life and forget about me.

  “No. No. I have nothing to do except watch last night’s telly that I recorded and eat a bar of Dairy Milk chocolate.” She cleared her throat. “No, I was wondering whether you’d like to meet up.”

  I sat up straight, gripping my phone so tight I thought I might shatter the screen. It was not what I’d been expecting. The brush-off yes, but definitely not the suggestion we meet up.

  “When?” I shook my head at how quickly I’d responded.

  Maya didn’t pause, though. “I happen to be off work for the next week.”

  “A software developer, right?”

  “You remembered?”

  “I remembered. In fact,” I said, lowering my voice, “I remember a lot of things about you.” As I thought about her soft skin, her smell, her gorgeous eyes, my natural instinct kicked in. I shifted my chair closer to the table, petrified that Maddy might walk in and see what was happening in my kecks. “You’re unforgettable, Maya.”

  There was another soft sigh on the other end of the line, and then silence. Like we were both knew it could be the start of something but didn’t want to spoil it with words. Didn’t want to ruin the perfection of it.

  After a few moments, I was the first to speak. “When and where?”

  “Like I said, I’m free all week,” Maya replied, her voice strong and confident because she knew I would go wherever and whenever to see her again.

  “Tomorrow. I can come to you. I can be in Leeds for eleven.”

  “That’s good for me. I’ll message you the address of a coffee shop close to me.” Voice strong and confident. Assured and certain.

  “See you then.”

  When the line went dead, I wondered whether I should have played it differently. If I should have suggested later in the week, not come across so desperate. Then I realised that I was desperate, so why bother lying?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Maddy

  After getting home on Sunday evening, I’d replayed what had happened at Zak’s house that day. Not so much having pizza with his family, even though they were lovely, but all the other stuff was on repeat in my head.

  His thumb gently rubbing my arm. Him pulling me closer. Tickling me. I kept going over and over it, all with a huge smile that I couldn’t get rid of. It was Monday, we were back at school, and I was still thinking about it, and still beaming. Then I realised that I was about to see Zak for the first time since the day before, and my grin melted away.

  “Oh, bloody hell.”

  “What’s wrong?” Ana asked as we walked across the concourse towards the canteen, to the weekly sixth form meeting.

  “Erm, nothing.” I hadn’t told her, or any of my friends, that I’d spent the day with Zak. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to; I just didn’t have time. That was what I was telling myself, anyway. The real truth was that I was too embarrassed—embarrassed that I might have imagined it all and that when I saw Zak, he would act like it was nothing. I would hate that because, to me, it was something.

  “Your face says different.” We both stopped walking, and I stared at Ana as her lips, painted a deep purple, broke into a grin. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain boy, would it?”

  How the hell had she worked that out. I stiffened and gave a quick shake of the head. “No idea what you’re talking about.”

  “You liar,” she gasped and nudged me. “You’ve been weird since Emma’s sleepover.”

  “How would you know?” I protested. “I haven’t seen you.”

  “I’ve spent all morning watching you.” She raised an eyebrow. “In Psychology you went all funny-looking while we were talking about the memory. Like you had a special memory of your own.”

  “I was not.” I rolled my eyes and carried on walking.

  “And in Social Care, you were gazing outside when we were talking about nutrition. Were you thinking about Cockney boy’s arm around you on Saturday night?”

  She laughed, and I was glad I was two paces ahead of her and she couldn’t see my face. Ana would see straight away that I looked guilty. She was wrong, though; it was everything from the day before, not the sleepover, that had me daydreaming.

  “Just hurry up, Ana, we’re going to be late.”

  “We’ve got ages,” she said, running up beside me. “Hey, did you see Emma and Liam chatting this morning before they went into History? Looking very cosy. In fact, I almost suggested they get a room—they were so close, their lips were almost touching.”

  We were nearly at the canteen, and my stomach was doing somersaults. Zak would be in there. He would be sitting there, looking gorgeous, with the rest of the sixth form girls hanging around him. All gazing at him and flirting. Milly Rogers would definitely be flicking her hair and fluttering her false eyelashes. No doubt she’d be wearing a low-cut top, too. Showing off that stupid bright pink bra she liked to wear.

  “I didn’t see them,” I replied.

  I had, and I’d felt a hint of jealousy that they felt comfortable enough to openly flirt with each other. I wouldn’t dare do that with Zak. I had no idea whether he had been flirting with me because he liked me, or just because he could.

  “Well,” Ana continued, searching in her bag, “they needed to get a room. It was hot, but she needs to spill the tea. She’s never told us she likes him.”

  “Right,” I said, distracted by the fact that we had arrived at the canteen.

  “Are you listening to me?”

  Ignoring her, I pushed the door open and took a huge breath. Right inside was Zak, leaning against the wall, looking down at his phone. Everything about him was beautiful—his fingers tapping at the screen, his thick lashes fluttering, pouty lips that his tongue licked seductively, and his long legs crossed at the ankle. When he coughed, he put a fist to his mouth to cover it, which made me smile. So many of the boys in our year just spluttered their germs over everyone. He was full of rizz, and so different, so gorgeous, that I doubted there was any chance he liked me.

  “Bloody hell, Maddy.” Ana banged into me from behind, almost sending me flying. As I stumbled forward, Zak looked up and grinned.

  “Falling for me, Maddy.”

  “Christ, Zak,” Ana groaned. “That’s the shittest line I’ve ever heard.” She shook her head and walked towards the table where the rest of our friends were sitting. Liv was smiling at something on her phone, while Emma chatted to Liam, who was leaning over the back of her chair.

  Pushing lazily off the wall, Zak grinned at me. “Hi.”

  “Hi,” I replied, clearing my throat, putting a hand against the butterflies swarming my stomach. “You okay?”

  “Yeah. Not bad. You?”

  “Good, thanks.” I looked over his shoulder to see Ana joining the others. She said something and Liam threw his head back and roared laughing.

  “Something has amused him,” Zak commented, glancing over his shoulder before bringing his gaze back to me. “You look nice today, by the way.”

  I blinked and ran a hand over the front of my leather jacket, grateful that I’d worn my newest jeans with a crop top. Not like I hadn’t planned it, because of course I had.

  “Thanks. So do you.” I groaned inwardly, wondering whether I’d said the right thing. Was I being too obvious? Would he think I was an idiot for saying it? Blooming heck, fancying boys was hard!

  A beautiful smile lit up Zak’s face, and he took a step closer to me. “How long do these meetings go on for, anyway?”

  His hand reached out, and he lifted my bag higher on my shoulder, from where it had slipped down my arm.

  Trying to ignore the way my stomach was doing somersaults, I shrugged. “Depends on whether anyone has been caught vaping in the toilets or with weed in their pocket.”

  Zak raised an eyebrow. “Does that happen a lot, then?”

  “Not really. Well, the weed not so much but the vaping probably once every two weeks.”

  “And if they have been caught?” Zak asked, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets.

  “Then we have to watch a video about the effect vaping has on your lungs and we’ll be here for almost an hour. If not, then forty minutes tops, and we get to go home early.”

  With his blue eyes firmly on my face, Zak nodded. “Looks like it might be an hour then because Mr Anderson caught me smoking coming into school this morning.”

  His smile was carefree, and his relaxed stance said he wasn’t worried one bit about it. If I’d been caught smoking I’d have been shitting myself in case they told my dad.

  “What did he do?” I asked. “Has he called your mum or dad?”

  Zak shook his head. “Nah. It was on the street outside the gates, I’m not that stupid to smoke on school property. I still reckon he’ll give us a lecture about it, though.”

  “Do your parents know you smoke?”

  “Dad does, but he agreed not to tell Mum if I gave up.” He grimaced because he clearly hadn’t.

  “Does he think you have?”

  “Yeah. And I will. Maybe when I’ve finished the pack I’ve got left.”

  I rolled my eyes and grinned. “Then there’ll be another excuse.”

  “Nope. No. There won’t. I’ve got six more left, and then that’s it.” When the muttering behind him went quieter, Zak turned around. “Looks like it’s starting. We should get over there.”

  Mr Anderson, our head of year, was standing in front of the food counter where the shutters were down. He had his hands on his hips and was looking around expectantly, waiting for individual conversations to finish.

  “Yes, sooner it’s over, the sooner we can go home,” I said with a sigh.

  As I passed him, Zak leaned in and whispered close to my ear, “By the way, what are you doing tonight?”

  Instantly, my breathing sped up and became shallower as his question penetrated my brain, and I thought I might pass out.

  “S-sorry?” I asked, wanting him to say it again so that I could be sure.

  Catching hold of my bicep, he gently pulled me to a stop. “What are you doing tonight?”

  My head whipped around so I could look at him, and I was faced with sincere blue eyes staring at me while his tongue swept along his plump bottom lip. He didn’t look nervous or unsure, and I would have bet money on the fact that he wasn’t feeling sick.

  “Nothing. Well, except for some course work for social care.”

  “Do you need to do that tonight?”

  Did I? I usually did my work the day it was handed out, but it didn’t mean I had to do it then. I shook my head.

  “Fancy going out for a Maccies?”

  I did, but I knew Dad was making a curry. “My dad has organised dinner.” As soon as I said it, I regretted it. I could have gone and not had a burger. I could have said yes and stuffed myself to the point of feeling sick if it meant spending time with him. I could have asked Dad for a small portion of curry. My shoulders dipped with regret.

  He gave me a sexy smirk. “That’s okay, we can just go and get a drink.”

  “We can?” I swallowed, conscious that his eyes seemed to be staring at my lips. “Yeah, that sounds good.”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven.” Dumbstruck, I nodded, and Zak smiled, giving me a quick wink before walking away.

  As Zak sat down next to Liam, resting his arm on the back of the empty chair next to him, it struck me that he had no idea where I lived. Rushing over, I plonked myself down next to him and leaned closer to whisper, seeing as Mr Anderson was clapping his hands for silence.

  “You need my address,” I stated.

  “No, I don’t,” he whispered back. “I got your address from Liam.”

  It was said with such confidence, in that super sexy accent of his, and my nerves kicked in again, realising I needed help from my friends. I was confident in so many ways, but not where Zak Hoyland was concerned, and I wasn’t going to risk missing out on something good.

  Zak’s WhatsApp Messages

  OSCAR

  Did you watch the match earlier? What a bag of wank. We couldn’t score in a titty bar atm.

  ZAK

  No I didn’t watch it. I saw the result though. Another draw isn’t great.

  OSCAR

  Hang on! Why didn’t you watch it? Please don’t tell me you’re not supporting City or United? If it’s United you’re dead to me!

  ZAK

  Lol. No. I had Maddy round. We watched a film.

  OSCAR

  Back the fuck up. Maddy the girl you’re not sure likes you?

  ZAK

  Yeah and it seems she does! We might have had a moment!!!

  OSCAR

  A moment! WTF is a moment? Have you turned into a teenage girl?

  ZAK

  Fuck off. I read it somewhere 😆😆😆.

  OSCAR

  Did you show her your tiny dick? That will only take a moment!

  ZAK

  NO! And you know it’s not tiny. I was about to kiss her, but my sister walked in. Then my parents came home.

  OSCAR

  She’s met your family!!! It must be serious! What do they think of her?

  ZAK

  …

  OSCAR

  Where are you? Why are you ignoring me???

  ZAK

  Was just asking if I could borrow Mum’s car. Yeah they liked her. Mum says she sweet and very pretty.

  OSCAR

  Run now mate while you can. If Lisa likes her you’re in trouble.

  ZAK

  Well Amelia loves her so…

  OSCAR

  Aww shit. I’ve been the victim of Amelia’s love. Being trapped in that Wendy House when we were 12 and made to drink pretend tea has scarred me for life!!!

  ZAK

  You do know she still thinks she’s going to marry you one day and have your babies.

  OSCAR

  I’ve just puked in my mouth you fucker! I’m going. I can’t talk to you anymore.

  ZAK

  So you don’t want to know about how I’m going to ask Maddy on a date then!

  Chapter Sixteen

  Will

  Iwas a confident man, especially where women were concerned. Self -assurance was something I’d been born with, and I always used it to good effect. Waiting for Maya, though, I felt like I might be sick with nerves. I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me. I’d met the woman once, spoken to her for a few hours and yet was acting like a lovesick teenager.

  The coffee place we were meeting in was rammed, and I’d been lucky to grab a table that became available just as I was served with my drink. It was also opposite the door, so I would have a good view of Maya walking in.

  Five minutes later, when she did, I wasn’t prepared for the sight of her. She looked amazing when I’d met her, but my mouth dropped open as she headed inside. She was wearing tight jeans tucked into brown knee high boots, a tan-coloured polo-neck jumper and a short brown leather jacket. Her bag was slung across her body, and her hair was pulled into a high ponytail, and she looked beautiful. I was already thinking things that I probably shouldn’t. Mainly about her wrapping her legs around me while I fucked her. When she grinned and waved, I felt my heart speed up.

  “So sorry that I’m late. I got stuck talking to my neighbour.”

  “No problem.” I stood up and pulled out a chair for her. “What do you want to drink, I’ll get it for you.”

  She glanced at the menu of drinks and then turned back to me. “Cappuccino please. With chocolate.”

  Her eyes twinkled, and I couldn’t help grinning. “I’ll be right back.”

  Five minutes later, I was putting a large mug down in front of her. Maya immediately picked it up with both hands and took a sip. She closed her eyes and sighed.

  “Ooh, perfect.”

  Yeah, she really was. “It’s nice in here. Do you come in here often?” I asked.

  Maya giggled. “That sounds like a cheesy chat-up line.”

  “Oh, I’m full of them.”

  She studied me and then her beautiful face melted into a smile. “I bet you are.” She shrugged her jacket and bag off and turned to hang them on the back of the chair. Her jumper wasn’t skin tight, but moulded to her body, showing off the perfect curve of her tits. I wondered what her nipples were like, if they were pink or brown, big, or small. When she suddenly burst out laughing, I was snapped out of my daydream.