She turned to him and opened her mouth to speak, but before she had a chance to do so, he said, ‘I’m so sorry, Melody. I did worry that I hadn’t asked your permission first.’
Confused, she shook her head. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
He pointed to her mobile phone lying in front of her on the kitchen table. ‘I gave your number to Callum.’
‘Oh.’ So that’s what was bothering him. She realised she should have been displeased with him, but he seemed so worried and as it hadn’t occurred to her to be anything other than disappointed up until this point, she smiled. ‘It’s fine. I’ve already heard from him so this isn’t news to me.’
‘I see.’ He moved his weight from one foot to the other. ‘Did he ask you out then?’
‘He did.’
‘And you don’t mind?’ He laughed. It wasn’t a happy laugh, she noted, rather it held a tone of sadness for some reason. ‘Why would you mind?’ He shook his head. ‘Sorry.’
Determined to change the mood of the conversation, Melody indicated the kettle. ‘I’m not sure what’s going on, Zac, but I have a feeling you might need to chat.’ When he didn’t react, she added, ‘Or might a coffee be more in order?’
‘Coffee would be great, thanks.’ He pulled out one of the chairs and sat at the table. ‘So you said yes, then.’
She noticed it wasn’t a question, more of a statement. He was acting oddly but didn’t seem to be fazed by Callum asking her out. Hurt that he hadn’t thought to ask her himself, she nodded. ‘I did.’
‘Right.’
The kettle finished boiling and Melody quickly made Zac a cup of coffee and herself a green tea. Setting the cups down in front of their places, she sat down.
‘Are you going to tell me what’s the matter or shall I try to guess?’
13
ZAC
Why was he acting like a love-sick teenager, Zac thought, irritated with himself for the mess he was in.
‘Zac?’
He stared into Melody’s light blue eyes and desperately tried to come up with something plausible that wouldn’t result in him ending up looking like a complete fool. Why had he given Callum her number when he wanted to take her out himself? Because he assumed she would be more interested in his handsome friend, that’s why, he reminded himself.
‘Is something the matter?’ Patsy said, entering the room carrying a book. She looked at the table. ‘And my tea?’
‘Oh, sorry, Gran. I forgot. I’ll make it now.’
Patsy waved for Melody to remain seated. ‘No, it’s fine. I was only joking.’ She took a mug down from the shelf and Zac noticed her turn to look at him. ‘I sense an atmosphere in here,’ she said as she dropped a teabag into her mug and poured water over it. ‘You two haven’t fallen out about something, I hope?’
‘No!’ They answered in unison and Zac caught Melody’s eye again.
Patsy sighed heavily. ‘Give me a couple of seconds to finish making this drink, then I’ll leave you to sort out whatever it is that’s going on here.’
He watched as Patsy finished making her drink. Then, picking it up, she grabbed her book and turned to them. ‘I’ve no idea what’s going on, but I do know that there’s too much to do here for you two to fall out.’
‘We haven’t, Gran, I promise,’ Melody said.
‘Really, it’s nothing,’ Zac assured her, wishing he hadn’t been such a prat and caused this tension in the first place.
He waited for Patsy to leave. ‘Look, I’m sorry. I’m acting weird – I know I am.’
‘Why, though?’ She tilted her head to one side and studied his face.
Because I don’t want you to go out with my friend,he wanted to shout.
Her phone pinged and they both looked at it. He took a mouthful of coffee, wincing as he realised too late how hot it still was, and waited for her to pick up her phone and read it.
