A Stolen Heart

by Beverley Hollowed

  Emma was stunned, she didn’t know what to do. She could hear Louise’s voice and her heart was thumping in her chest. But then she heard Louise go back inside the pub and she relaxed. Well as relaxed as she could get wrapped in Zach arms and pressed up against his strong muscular body.

  Zach finally broke his lips from hers and pulled back a little but not completely.

  “I don’t think they saw you,” he whispered breathlessly.

  “No...No I don’t think they did,” was all she could reply as she stood motionlessly staring directly into Zach’s eyes.

  For a moment neither of them said a word. Emma could feel her heart beating faster and faster. She could smell his aftershave and he smelled so good. He gazed straight into her eyes. She felt slightly nervous and anxious, but not afraid.

  “Why did you do that?” She asked finding the courage to do so. She was still in his arms.

  “So your friends didn’t see you,” he replied but still he didn’t let her go. Instead he held her eyes with his and gave her a shy smile.

  Then he inched closer to her once again. This time his kiss was tender, slower and just perfect. His lips were inviting and warm. He gently touched her face with the tips of his fingers as he softly traced them down her cheek.

  Emma allowed herself to melt into his embrace as his kiss deepened and became more passionate. He slipped his tongue into her mouth, softly stroking hers. He slowly slid his hands down her back and cupped her backside, pulling her closer to him. She could feel how much he wanted her. She could feel his full hardness pressed against her stomach. And desired raced through her body as she pressed herself against him harder. She wanted him too.

  But suddenly, she realized what had just happened. She abruptly pulled herself away from him and she screamed in her head, what the hell are you thinking?

  “I have to go,” she announced pushing past him. She was furious with herself? She loved Jonathan so why was she kissing some other guy.

  “Wait!” he called after her as he followed her into the pub. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “No,” she replied scanning the pub for Grace and Louise. “It’s not you, it’s me.”

  “Don’t give me that ‘it’s not you it’s me bullshit’,” he said confused by her behaviour. “Tell me what I have done wrong?”

  “I just... I have to find my friends,” she replied refusing to look at him.

  “I think they’re gone,” he said pointing to the table where they had been sitting earlier.

  “Shit!” she growled, angry with Grace and Louise for leaving. They had her handbag with her purse. So she didn’t even have money for a cab. She was mad as hell with her sister and best friend right in that moment. “FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!”

  “Look I am finished with my shift,” he said as if he could read her thoughts. “I could give you a ride home.”

  “I eh... don’t know,” she replied but she knew she really didn’t have any other option except ring her dad to come get her and that would have been a nightmare. He was always banging on about never splitting up and she knew Louise would never hear the end of it from him for leaving Emma there alone.

  “Look, it’s just a lift,” he reassured her, sensing her reluctance. “I promise, I will behave.”

  “Okay,” Emma sighed realizing she didn’t really have any other option than to accept his help.

  Emma followed Zach out to his car in the pub car park. When they reached it he opened the passenger door and waited for Emma to climb in before he shut the door behind her. He hurried around to the driver’s side and quickly jumped in and started the engine. He pulled out of the out of the spot before stealing a quick glance at Emma as he drove out of the car park.

  About twenty minutes later he pulled his car to a stop at the end of Emma’s road as Emma has instructed him to. He turned off the engine and turned around in his seat to face Emma.

  “Thanks for the lift,” she said quietly as she avoided his stare.

  “You’re very welcome,” he smiled all the time his eyes never leaving hers. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

  “Look... Zach,” Emma said finally turning to look at him. “I don’t want you to get the wrong impression and think I go around kissing just any guy because I don’t.”

  “So, I’m not just any guy?” he asked her hopefully and giving her the most perfect smile she has ever seen.

  “No,” she replied with a smile. “I don’t think you are.”

  “Can I see you again?” he asked her as he reached out to touch her but stopped himself before he did.

  “Maybe,” she smiled shyly as she turned and opened the car door. She stopped before she got out and turned back to Zach. She leaned over and softly kissed him on the cheek.

  “Goodnight Zach Adams,” she whispered against his cheek before she turned and got out of the car.

  “How is it you always look nice and fresh in the morning?” Louise groaned jealously, snapping Emma out of her thoughts.

  “A large glass of water before bed,” Emma replied.

  “It’s not fair you always look perfect and I look like...” she moaned and Emma laughed and added.

  “The living dead!” Emma exclaimed with a giggle.

  “God thanks Sis,” Louise snapped back and stuck out her tongue at her big sister.

  “So what were the guys like, you and Grace left with last night?” Emma asked.

  “The guy I met was called Conner,” Louise began. "He is from Wexford and seems really nice. But the guy Grace met was a real moron. He threw up all over her new dress and shoes”.

  “Oh poor Grace,” Emma couldn’t help but laugh at her best friends miss fortune. “How does she always manage to pick the biggest losers?”

  “What about you?” Louise asked.

  “What about me?” Emma asked defensively. “I never met anyone”.

  “Jesus, relax!” Louise sighed and rolled her eyes. “I meant how did you get home?”

  “I got a taxi” she lied.

  “So what are your plans for today?” Louise asked thankfully not taking anything from Emma’s defensiveness.

  “I have to go and sort out my flowers,” Emma replied. “I was going to wait till Jonathan got here to pick out his button holes but looks like I am on my own once again.”

  “Want me to go with you?” Louise asked as she poured herself another cup of coffee.

  Emma looked at Louise slumped at the table, clinging to her coffee like it was the only thing that would keep her alive.

  “I think I can manage,” Emma said getting up from the table. She went to her room to get ready. Twenty minutes later she was heading out the front door.

  She only made it as far as the front gate when she came face to face with Zach.

  “Good morning,” he said with a bright and cheerful smile.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” She blurted out, shocked to see him standing there. He was even more handsome than she had remembered.

  “You eh… left your scarf in my car last night,” he explained a little surprised by her reaction to seeing him. “I just wanted to return it to you.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, quickly taking it from him. “That was very kind of you.”

  “You’re heading out,” he said, shifting uncomfortable in his stance. He couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed by her reaction to him turning up at her house. “Can I give you a lift somewhere?”

  “I’m fine, thanks,” she dismissed his offer quickly as she nervously glancing over her shoulder. “The bus stop is just down the road.”

  “Come on,” he said as he turned and walked to the passenger door of his car and opened it for Emma. “I didn’t bite last night, did I?”

  “I guess not.” Emma couldn’t help but smile. She quickly thought about his offer and she realized the best and quickest way to get him from in front of her parent’s house was to get in the car and avoid a scene.

  Zach started the car and set off on their
journey. They drove for a short while without talking. Emma stared out the window as her mind worked over time as to how she had gotten into this situation and wishing she was a million miles away.

  “So where are you off to looking so pretty?” He asked trying to break the ice.

  “I have an appointment” she answered shortly. She hadn’t told him that she was getting married yet. She wasn’t sure why but she didn’t. So she couldn’t say she was going to pick the flowers for her wedding.

  “Okay,” he blurted out as he abruptly pulled the car over at the side of the road. “I’m sorry for being a little forward here but I really like you. And I thought that maybe you liked me too. But you are giving me very mixed signals. I mean for me, that kiss last night… well it was pretty awesome, but am I the only one that sees it like this?”

  She sat for a moment in silence as her mind raced with how she would tell him the truth.

  “I do like you,” she admitted finally, unable to look at him. “But the truth is...I am getting married, in three weeks’ time.”

  Zach was speechless. If he was honest he was crushed. The moment he saw her, the night before, he thought there was something so special about her. And when he kissed her he knew he hadn’t been wrong. He had thought there had been a very definite connection.

  “I’m sorry,” she apologised feeling like a complete bitch. “I never meant to mislead you. But you were so nice and I really enjoyed talking to you last night. I didn’t want it to end and I knew if I told you I was getting married you would have just...”

  “Just what?” he asked. She didn’t reply so he continued “The truth is I enjoyed being with you last night too.”

  “I should get out,” she said clutching her bag and opening the car door. “I am sorry for not being honest with you.”

  “No wait!” he said quickly, taking hold of her arm. “Please, don’t get out.”

  She turned and looked at him. She was surprised he wanted her to stay.

  “Look,” he said. “If I am honest, I guess I had a feeling there was someone else. I mean, the way you freaked out when your friends came out of the bar last night. I kind of guessed. True, you getting married is a curve ball I wasn’t expecting.”

  “I didn’t freak out,” Emma protested, feeling embarrassed as the memory of last night came into her head.

  “You totally freaked out,” Zach laughed out loud.

  “Ok, maybe I freaked out a little,” she admitted and this time she couldn’t help but smile. She couldn’t believe how charming he was or that he was still being so nice to her.

  “So are you going to close to door?” He asked.

  Emma closed the door and Zach pulled away from the side of the road. They drove for a while before either said anything else. Finally Emma looked over at Zach.

  “I am sorry,” she said softly. “I should have been honest from the start.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said giving her a very cheeky yet hopeful smile. “Besides you’re not married yet.”

  Chapter 7

  Emma made arrangements to meet Grace in O’Grady’s once again at 8 o’clock. Jack asked if he could join her and Louise going out that night. At half seven, the three set off to meet Grace in the pub.

  When Emma got to the door of the pub, she hesitated before going inside.

  “Are you okay?” Jack asked her taking her hand reassuringly.

  “Yeah,” she said smiling at him gratefully. “I’m okay.”

  She held his hand tightly as they walked into the pub which already had a pretty big crowd in it. When they went through the large oak doors, Emma instinctively glanced over at the bar. She knew he wouldn’t be there but she still had to look. Louise spotted Grace over in a booth and they made their way over to her.

  “Hey honey,” she said standing up and hugging Emma. It was the first time she had seen Emma face to face since Jonathan’s death, even though she rang her weekly, she was glad to finally be able to hug her and see how she was for herself. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m doing fine,” she replied honestly happy to see her friend. “I am glad to be home.”

  “I am glad you’re home too,” Grace replied. “But are you sure you are ok? You have lost so much weight.”

  “I swear,” Emma replied. “I am fine. Just a little tired, but that’s all. It’s hard work looking after two kids on my own. They keep me pretty busy.”

  “I can’t wait to see them,” Grace replied. “Mia must be so big now. And I can’t believe you had the baby early as well. Then again Mia was early too.”

  “I guess I am lucky like that,” Emma replied with a smile. But she thought to herself that lucky was the last thing she was. Her life was such a mess and she had no idea how she was going to pick up the pieces and keep going. She thought that things couldn’t get much worse.

  Jack ordered a round of drinks and they all sat back and began to enjoy their evening. They chatted about old times and about what they were up to now.

  Grace told them all about her new job. She was a teacher just like Emma and had worked in the local primary school since she had left school. But she wanted more. She decided she wanted a challenge so she took a job working in a secondary school. She taught 13 year olds to 16 year olds mostly. She told them some of the crazy and hysterical things the kids in her class had gotten up to.

  Emma couldn’t remember the last time she laughed so much. She had almost forgot what it was like to be normal, instead of this grieving mess that everyone sheltered and protected like something so fragile that she would break any minute. She found sometimes people were trying to hide the happiness from her, almost like they felt guilty because they were happy and had moved on with their lives.

  But Emma didn’t want them to be unhappy. She was glad their lives were moving on, after all that’s the way thing should be. Life goes on. But she was glad she was home. She was happy she had begun to remember the old her and maybe now she might be able to get on with her life.

  “Hey Emma are we going to get a song from you tonight?” Louise said as the guy handed out the song list book.

  “I don’t think so” she insisted as she shook her head vigorously. The very idea horrified her. She couldn’t imagine anything she wanted to do less at that moment.

  “Oh come on,” Louise pushed. “Just like old times.”

  “Really Lou,” Emma replied. “I don’t feel up to it.”

  “Louise, if she doesn’t want to, she doesn’t have to.” Jack snapped and Louise’s face fell. Emma knew he was just trying to be protective but she felt sorry for Louise. The truth was everyone was walking on egg shells around her. Louise was the only one who was treating her as normal. And she kept getting into trouble for it. “Stop hassling her.”

  There was an awkward silence and Emma glanced over at Louise and gave her a grateful smile. She knew there was only one thing she could do.

  “No she is right,” Emma said to everyone’s surprise for the second time that day. “It might be fun.”

  Emma smiled gratefully at Louise once again but inside she felt sick. She picked up a piece of paper from the table and wrote her name down and handed it to the waitress to pass it to the guy doing the karaoke.

  She smiled at everyone who was looking at her uneasily. Everyone accept Louise who gave her the biggest reassuring smile she could.

  They had a few more drinks and Emma was just starting to relax and had almost forgotten her name had been put up when the guy hosting the karaoke called it out.

  Her stomach did flips. She was never more nervous then she was right at that moment. She took a large gulp of her drink and stood up.

  “You don’t have to do it,” Jack said quickly.

  “I want to,” she reassured him confidently. It was a lie. What she really wanted to do was run for the door but she didn’t. She walked nervously towards the stage.

  As she stepped on the stage she looked out over the crowd. For some reason tonight, there s
eemed to be more than usual.

  She gripped the mic tightly. She waited for the music to start. It seemed to take forever but finally it started playing. She looked down at Louise who gave her thumbs up for encouragement. Then she looked at Jack and Grace who both had a look of dread on their faces. She smiled at them and they seemed to relax a little.

  But just as she lifted the mic to her mouth and she was about to sing, the big oak doors to the bar opened and there he was, Zach Adams, standing right in front of her looking just as heart stoppingly gorgeous as ever.

  As he made his way into the pub, he looked around as if he was looking for someone. Until finally, he looked up and saw her standing on the stage. He stopped dead in his tracks. He just stood there and stared back up at her looking like he had been hit by a steam roller.

  Emma couldn’t breathe. How could this be happening? Why was he here? He was supposed to be half way around the world living the life that had been meant for them. She just stood there on the stage gripping the microphone tighter and tighter as her heart raced so fast. Her eyes were locked in a gaze with his but she quickly looked away. She felt the room was spinning and she thought she was going to fall down.

  A low hum started around the pub. Everybody looked at each other wondering what was wrong with her. Finally the host of the karaoke came over and asked her was she ok.

  “I... I can’t do this.” she said turning to him and handing him back the microphone. Then she quickly walked off the stage. She walked back to the table but didn’t sit down. Instead she picked up her bag. She tried to fight back the tears.

  “I can’t do this,” she said breathing quickly as she struggled to catch her breathe. “I’m sorry.”

  She turned without saying another word and ran out of the pub.

  “I knew it was too soon.” Jack shouted as he grabbing his coat and chased after her.

  All the while Zach stood glued to the spot and watching her every move. It was really her. Instinctively he wanted to go after her and was just about to when some guy chased after her and called out to her. He thought it must have been her husband. He was different then he remembered but still it had been five years and people can change a lot in five years.