Chapter 22

Chapter Twenty-Two

Will

M y mouth felt dry, and the silence seemed to have stretched for hours. It was actually only seconds—ten to be precise. I knew because I was counting.

"I told you, honestly," Maya said, sounding breathy. "And you're sure that Maddy is okay with it?"

The relief that she was okay with Maya coming over was immense because this relationship was different.

"She's totally on board. Honestly."

"What do you think? Shall we all go out for dinner?"

The vice-like grip around my chest loosened, and nervous air rushed out. "That would be fantastic. I'll book somewhere." My mind was already racing ahead to where we could go. "There's a great pub in the next village along."

"Sounds good." Maya paused for a second. "I'm wondering whether to come on the train."

"Yeah, you could." I didn't like the idea of her going home on a train late at night—or driving, for that matter, so I second guessed myself. "Why don't you stay over in our spare room. That way you don't have to travel home on the train or in the car late at night."

Maya chuckled. "In your spare room?"

"Of course. I wouldn't assume anything." Besides which, I wasn't sure that I fancied fucking her until she screamed, with my daughter across the landing. Didn't mean I hadn't thought about it, a lot. "That will happen when we have more time and a little more privacy."

"Okay," she said breathily. "I'm happy with that."

Instantly, my dick twitched, and I had to readjust myself. Thank the fuck Marco and our other bartender, Dilly, were busying themselves with the lunchtime rush. It was old-age pension day, and, as usual, we had a horde of people aged sixty plus wanting tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches. We always took a delivery of cakes and pastries on a Tuesday as well, and so, without selling much alcohol, it was one of our busiest days. I was lucky to have escaped for a few minutes to call Maya.

"Well, maybe we can discuss that tomorrow," I suggested. "How does getting here for five sound?"

"Brilliant. If I'm staying over, I'll drive to you. You sure that's okay? Maddy won't mind me staying the night?" She sounded unsure again, and so I couldn't wait for them to meet. That way, she'd soon realise that everything was going to be fine.

"She will be great about it. I promise."

"Okay," she said, exhaling. "Can you message me your address?"

"I'll do it as soon as we finish on the call."

"Great."

Grinning, I puffed out my chest. "I can't wait to see you." And I couldn't. Twenty-four hours was too long.

"See you tomorrow, Will."

Her honey-toned voice sent a message to my chest and my dick, and it was difficult to end the call. Eventually, though, we did, and I left my office, messaging her my address, to go and do some work. Marcus was wiping down the bar as Dilly chatted to a couple at their table.

"Hey, sorry about that. It took a bit longer than I thought."

He shook his head. "No problem. We've got it covered. Robbie, helped out with serving food."

"He turned up on time?"

Marcus had finally had enough of Dylan when he'd been over two hours late on Sunday, and then he'd gone missing for an hour. He eventually found him dealing weed to a bunch of teenagers on our car park, hence Robbie.

"In fact," Marcus said, turning to throw his wet rag into the small bar sink, "he's quite good at cooking. He made some great sandwiches."

I frowned. "A bacon butty is a bacon butty, mate."

"Yeah but add a bit of rocket and mayo and it becomes something else." He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows.

"You're not making something sexual out of a bacon butty, are you?"

"Fuck off. What sort of freak do you think I am."

"I choose not to answer that one." I moved along the bar and snagged a glass to pour myself a Coke. My mouth was dry still from the nerves at calling Maya. Once poured, I took a long gulp.

"Hang over?" Marcus asked.

"Nope. Just thirsty." I looked over his shoulder to see Dilly coming back to the bar. "Hey, Dill, weren't you off half an hour ago?"

"Yes, but we had a rush on while you were on the phone."

"Sorry about that." I scratched the back of my neck, feeling bad that I'd spent almost an hour on the phone to Maya. "Get yourself off now and come in later tomorrow."

"It's fine. I'll save it until I need it." She gave me a bright smile, running a hand through her short, cropped hair. "I do need to go now, though—Dan can't pick the kids up from after-school club, so I need to."

"Yeah, get going. See you tomorrow."

She left us with a wave and Marcus staring after her.

"It's not going to happen, mate."

I wouldn't say he had a crush on Dilly, it was more like she was a challenge. I was right, though, it wasn't going to happen. She was divorced from Dan and was seeing a guy she'd met on the internet. Plus, she was ten years older than Marcus, and while he liked an older woman, she was not interested in a younger man.

"I can dream." He shrugged nonchalantly and leaned against the bar. "Anyway, what about you? How was the stag night? You never said."

That would be because I didn't want to say anything. I was worried that if I did, it might put a curse on the thing with Maya.

"It was a good night. Gary enjoyed it. Apart from the bloody t-shirts we all had to wear."

"Did you get lucky?" Marcus leaned one elbow on the bar and waited expectantly. He knew that on nights like that, I usually did. "Meet a nice young lady?"

I almost told him no, but I was sure it was too obvious. It was idiotic to think telling someone would spoil things. I wasn't normally superstitious.

"Yeah, I did actually. Her name is Maya."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Sexy name."

I chuckled and shook my head. "Not sure I understand what you mean, but she is pretty sexy."

"Picture?"

I reared back with the sudden realisation that I didn't, but I should have. It might have made the last couple of nights tossing and turning easier to deal with.

"I'll take that look of pain as a no," Marcus said, grinning. "Just a mental image then?"

What a mental image it was. Her golden skin, long, luxurious dark hair and her forest green eyes had kept me awake every night since I'd met her. Even banging one out each night hadn't help.

"Yeah." I scrubbed a hand down my face. "She smells great, too."

"Wow, you do have it bad. You seeing her again?"

"Have already," I informed him. "Yesterday."

Blinking slowly, he moved so his back was leaning against the bar. "And here was me thinking you were trying to get us a better deal on lager."

Shrugging I reached for my glass of coke and took another sip. "I wasn't sure how it was going to go, so…" I shrugged.

"But?"

I couldn't help but smile as I thought about our day together. "It was good."

"And have you told Maddy about her?" Marcus might have been seemed like he didn't care about much, but he did care about my daughter. Since he'd started working for me, he'd taken on the role as unofficial big brother to her, even if he did try and goad me about how beautiful she was.

"She knows and has said she'd like to meet her."

"What?" He pushed his body off the bar, his arms braced as he gripped the wood behind him. "Already?"

Nodding, I felt my chest tighten, wondering if I'd done the wrong thing. "You think I've been too hasty?"

"I don't know, mate. Do you? Because what you think is what matters, not my opinion." He returned to leaning against the bar. "I've just never known you be like this over a woman before. Shit, you barely see anyone more than twice, never mind introduce them to Mads. This one must be special."

It didn't take me long to think about it. "Yeah, she is. I like her a lot." I grimaced at the fact I was laying myself bare to Marcus. Sam was usually my go-to person with sharing, but I wanted anyone who would listen to know about Maya. "It's a weird fucking feeling, but I like it. I like her."

Marcus shrugged. "If it feels right, then go with it. Let's just hope that Maddy likes her."

My stomach tilted at the thought, but I pushed it to one side. Maddy and I tended to be on the same wavelength, and I hoped that this was one of those occasions. If I liked Maya, then I had to be confident that Maddy would, too.

"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.