“But why didn’t you come to me earlier?”
“Because I didn’t think you’d believe me.”
“Jess, I feel awful. I should have known better, especially when she said you’d taken money from her purse and stolen some of her clothes.”
“But that’s crazy! I can’t believe you thought I would do something like that!”
“Well, I did find it a bit hard to believe. But it was even harder to believe that Miki would outright lie to me. Then I discovered she was cheating…and…well, I knew I owed you a huge apology. But then you just disappeared and I didn’t know what to do.”
“I left you a letter! It explained everything.”
“I never saw it. I guess Miki got to it first. What did it say?”
“It just said that I was really sorry, and I wanted to sort this whole mess out. Oh, and I also wanted to reimburse you for the website. My old job gave me a payout.”
“You don’t have to apologise for what happened. I probably would have acted the same way if things were reversed. And I already told you before, I don’t want your money.”
“But you deserve it. And I’m going to need your help when I start my business. But only if you want to.”
“Of course I do. But you still don’t have to pay me. Friends do that kind of thing for each other.”
Friends? My heart sinks. This isn’t quite the road I wanted to go down.
But I can’t put it off any longer. I should just bite the bullet and tell him before I change my mind.
“Um, Zac. There’s something I wanted to talk to you about…”
“Hmm?”
My phone beeps. A text from Alana. Where are you?
“Er, I think we should get back. Alana wants her chai latte.”
“Oh. Okay.” A trace of disappointment flashes across his face. But it’s gone before I have a chance to consider what it might mean. He stands up. “I’ll just wait near the door.”
I order Alana’s drink and carefully carry it outside. Zac follows close behind. We brave the crowds, pushing through the thickening masses to where the gang is waiting.
“Zac! You made it!” Alana grins.
“Yes. I did.” He nods at Sarah and the others.
“Have you told her yet?” Alana asks Zac.
“Told who what yet?” I ask.
“You!” Alana points at me.
“Told me what?” I look at Zac, confused.
“Thanks, Alana. No I haven’t told her yet. And now you’ve made it all awkward.”
“What are you talking about?” I say exasperated.
“Guys! A little privacy, thanks!” Zac pushes the others away and turns to face me properly.
“Fine.” Alana and the others pretend to turn away to discuss the weather.
Zac rolls his eyes and smiles at me.
“Jess, I didn’t know how to bring this up, and I was kind of hoping we wouldn’t have an audience, but it looks like Alana will explode if I don’t say something soon.”
“Say what?” I ask. The suspense is killing me.
He clears his throat. “The thing is, I think I’m in love with you.”
My heart starts galloping.
“You are?”
“Yes.” He gazes at me. “I think I have been for some time. But I was absolutely certain when I went home for Christmas and couldn’t stop thinking about you. I think Miki must have known even before I did, which was probably why she was so horrible to you. She could see how much we had in common and she was jealous. But it turns out she was cheating on me long before you came along. So…”
“I… uh…”
He narrows his eyes at me.
“Are you okay? I’m not freaking you out?”
“Of course you aren’t!” Alana can’t help herself. “She’s in love with you too!”
I glare at her. “Thanks, Alana. Please mind your own business.”
Zac looks at me delightedly. “Is that true?”
“It is,” I admit. “I think you’re amazing. You’ve made my time in Japan so great. I couldn’t imagine living here with anyone but you.”
He smiles. “I’m so glad you feel that way…”
“Hey, guys! Enough of the chit-chat! It’s time for the countdown!” Sarah yells, looking at her watch.
I grin at Zac stupidly.
“Ten!”
He grins back.
“Nine!”
I shyly reach out to hold his hand.
“Eight!”
Zac takes my hand and pulls me in for a hug.
“Seven!”
I wrap my arms around his shoulders.
“Six!”
He wraps his around my waist.
“Five!”
I have a sudden attack of nerves and look down at my toes.
“Four!”
He gently lifts my chin and smiles, his eyes full of love.
“Three!”
I gaze at him in wonderment.
“Two!”
He brushes a fingertip down my cheek.
“One!”
I close my eyes.
“Happy New Year!”
Zac leans in and kisses me softly. Snowflakes drift down around us as the crowd cheers. I hold him tightly and sigh.
This is my home.
ALSO BY KIRSTY MCMANUS
Saved by the Celebutante
Perfume Therapy
Lightweight
MultiDate
1996
1997
I Thought It Was You
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirsty McManus was born in Sydney, Australia and moved to Queensland when she was 14. When she was 25, she lived in Japan for a year with her partner Kesh and worked as an English teacher. This was the inspiration behind the novel, Zen Queen. She also spent a year in Canada and then settled back down on the Sunshine Coast in 2008. She now writes almost full time, designs the occasional website and looks after her two little boys.
Zen Queen Page 30