Always In My Heart (Sequel To Love Hurts)

Chapter 48

Zayn lifted his head from his laptop as the bell chimed in the coffee shop signalling someone came in. Saving his work, a tattoo artwork for a client before shutting the laptop, he looked up to see who he was waiting for. Niall who was late.

Forty five minutes late but Zayn would have waited till last minute. The coffee shop was neutral enough, no children around to interrupt. Niall looked around and nodded in recognition walking towards him.

Zayn could swear Niall's hair grow as much as his, all thick and dark brown. The brunette natural look suits him more than, dare he say it, his dyed blonde days and he has a beard? A glow up. What about it.

"Niall, hi" Zayn debated on standing for a hug as he approached, in the end didn't as Niall's hands never left his pockets until he sat down and shifted them to his lap.

"Zayn." Niall nodded his face not giving anything away. He looked up at Zayn for a moment to say hello.

"Coffee? I'm buying." Zayn offered to buy.

"Latte and I'm paying.." Niall stood up again.

Zayn stopped him his hand on Niall's. "They come to the table for your orders here.." Zayn moved said then waved the waiter over, watched as Niall gave his order.

"This is a cute coffee shop" Niall said looking around again, just few customers it had a library feel to it.

"Someone recommended it to me."

Niall's eyes trailed back to him, they knew who the someone is. He took off his coat as the waiter came with his coffee and muffin.

Zayn could almost laugh from the irony how they met at a coffee shop. Now they were here, are they even friends anymore?

"Sorry I'm late.." Niall said belatedly after a few sips of his coffee.

"You came.." Zayn corrected.

"How you've been?" Niall asked.

"How I've been, how you've been? I haven't seen you this year and was waiting for a birthday shoutout.."

"I've been thinking. Had decisions to make." Niall didn't know why he bought the muffin his appetite has been way off. He pushed the muffin towards Zayn who thanked with a smile, he was not hungry as well but felt it was rude to decline.

If Niall offering him a muffin full of disgusting raisins he detest as a test then he'll eat the damn muffin.

"I'm not complaining." Niall added belatedly, "That is life. Things happen. But there are always even more important things to worry about right?" He shrugged nonchalant, "So, how's Amelia?"

Zayn was forced to swallow a mouthful of the muffin he hated, to be able to talk, "She's okay.." he nodded then drank his coffee.

Niall smiled; "She missed me? I bet she does. So told you that yet?"

"I haven't had that conversation with her but I'm sure she does miss you." Zayn let out a chuckle.

"You found the nursery for her yet?"

Zayn sighed, "Yes I did. She starts in March. I'm not sure how they work that out but I'm happy I've got her at home all the time for another month nonetheless."

"I'm sure she's happy too being home with her baba. Can't imagine how she's going to cope when she starts school, she's gonna demand you stay with her all day you'll see."

"Damn right she'll demand that." Zayn said. Both laughed the atmosphere became less tense. "I wish I could press rewind I don't want to think about her starting school. I've just accepted her being away for three hours thank you very much."