Hunters And Foxes

Chapter 12: the date

The car ride to Early Bird Café isn't very long at all. We talk about our weeks and make small talk. Early Bird is a cafe nestled in a forest. It serves organic and delicious all day breakfast. When we arrive Zac walks to my side of the car and opens the door. 

"Here we are m'lady" he says with a smile that causes my heart beat to speed up. He holds his hand out for me to take. I giggle and weave my fingers in between his. "Reservation for two under the name South," Zac says when we reach the entrance. 

"Oh yes, follow me," The front of house woman leads us up to the second floor. "This is your table and your menus. A waitress will be up in a few minutes to take your order, enjoy," she smiles before walking away. 

Only when I sit down do I realise we have a prime view of the forest. When I turn away from the table Zac is sitting with his elbows on the table and his chin resting on his hands. He is staring at me with a twinkle in his eyes.

"I've missed you so much. You are so beautiful and you don't even realise it. The little things you do like the way you fiddle with your earrings when you are thinking. The way your nose twitches when you are truly happy, I like those things about you. I've just never had the guts to tell you. Because you are far too good for me. Even though I no longer fight there's still bad things about me. You are this little sporty hottie and even though you used to be pretty nasty, you've always been a sweet girl deep down. I've done so many bad things but you still like me and I am so fortunate to have someone like you in my life," He says with so much emotion. I struggle not to interrupt and tell him that I'm not too good for him and tell him that I'm not perfect. 

"I'm pretty lucky to have you. Sorry I wasn't there when Bryn died. You are so precious to me," I like looking into his eyes. 

"I think I would've hurt you if you had been beside me when Bryn died. I pushed so many people away. The space you gave me, provided me with time to figure everything out and realise that my feelings for you are definitely not just phase. I can see myself marrying you Penelope," He hums contently with his last sentence, I can feel the blush creeping up my cheeks. I look down at the menu to avoid his gaze. He traps my foot between both of his, telling me he was being serious. The thing is I feel the exact same way. "I think I'm going to have the salmon eggs benedict on potato cakes. What are you getting and don't look at the prices. Just pick based on the food you fancy most," He looks over his menu at me. 

"I'll get the mushroom and chicken on ciabatta with basil cream sauce" I whisper getting caught up in his eyes once again. He grins at me proudly, glad that I made a decision without getting flustered and without worrying about money. 

When the waiter arrives Zac orders our food and both of us peach iced teas. We share a lot of the same favourite foods, and that in itself tells me to marry this guy. I don't even care that the thought may be premature. I tell Zac about Xavier and Millie. Explaining how even though I'm mad he couldn't get Conroy out, I understand that Xavier is trying to do the right thing. It's crazy to think that a girl like me is caught up in world like that. With all the violence and terror. But I'm glad this world gave me Zac. 

Soon our food arrives, we swap halfway through our meals. Like a true cute couple. Except we aren't a couple just yet. When we're both finished I go to grab my card from my pocket. But Zac stops me. 

"Nah uh I'm paying for everything today," He smiles before walking to the counter and paying. He looks back at me tilting his head sideways as his gesture for me to follow him back to the car. 

We drive to the city taking turns picking songs. Each song we pick holds a memory we share and it makes the car ride extremely enjoyable. We feel comfortable enough in each other's company we don't need to talk. Sharing glances every now and then. We arrive at the city mall forty five minutes later. This time I get out of the car by myself. Being in the city means there will be more people that recognise Zac so I grab his hand possessively as we walk out of the car park and into the mall.