Chapter 30
Later that evening, I’m snuggled up on my couch with Leo and a bowl of popcorn between us when I get another text from Zayn.
My cheeks hurt from smiling today, my anxiety over Monica momentarily forgotten as I allow myself to bask in a rare moment of peace.
Zayn and I are back together, something I never thought would happen again in my lifetime.
And not only that, but I’m building a life full of purpose again, chasing my dreams instead of living in the shadows of someone else’s.
Somehow, I’ve managed to get my life back on the right track, and I don’t want to waste a second of it.
Daniel is nothing but a thought at the back of my mind, an issue for another day.
Zayn: What are you and Leo up to?
I snap a pic of our pyjama-clad legs propped up on the coffee table, Finding Nemo playing on the screen behind our toes, and send it to Zayn.
My phone dings not even a minute later.
Zayn: Funny how you couldn’t find those pyjamas three weeks ago.
I laugh and nearly choke on my popcorn as he picks up on my old Harry Potter pyjamas. Serves me right, I guess.
Gianna: They were in the wash that night you stayed over.
Zayn: Of course they were.
Gianna: Didn’t you like the other pyjamas?
Zayn: ‘Pyjamas’ is a generous word to describe what they were.
Zayn: But to answer your question, I can’t remember if I like them or not. Better wear them again.
I snort and giggle at the same time, pulling Leo’s attention away from the TV.
Gianna: Leo said ‘why are you messaging my aunty?’
Zayn: Tell him ‘Because I like her’
I can’t control the smile that splits my face and Leo looks at me like I’m crazier than Dory. “What’s he doing? Doesn’t he have his own aunty to talk to?” Leo asks, rather put out. “I don’t like sharing you.”
I relay the message to Zayn.
Zayn: What’s with all the questions? Is he a cop?
Zayn: I don’t like sharing you, either.
I crack open a bag of Malteasers and pour them into the popcorn to Leo’s squealing delight. It’s our tradition, and I wouldn’t trade these moments with him for anything in the world. After he’s grabbed a handful, I send a picture of the popcorn to Zayn.
Zayn: I can’t believe you still do that. Horrible.
Gianna: It’s worth the sticky fingers. This is a hill I’ll die on.
Gianna: How was lunch?
Zayn: Awful. My clients are the scum of the Earth.
Gianna: Then why do you defend them?
Zayn: Good question.
I ponder Zayn’s answer while Leo snuggles into me and we watch Marlin go on his quest to find his son.
Why does Zayn defend the very men that he despises?
The ones who desert their families and leave ex-wives penniless.
Is it for the money? He obviously gets paid a fortune judging by his home and the car he drives.
I know he didn’t inherit that kind of wealth; his mum didn’t have two dollars to rub together.
Leo’s little voice interrupts my thoughts.
“Aunty G, will you marry Zayn?”
Now that’s a message I don’t relay.
I’m scoffing down pasta at family lunch the next day when I get a call from Zayn. I excuse myself to answer it in the kitchen.
“Hello?”
“Gianna, I know you’re at lunch but I have some news.”
“Okay?” I say slowly. His tone makes me lower the cutlet I was about to bite into.
“Daniel’s lawyers have reached out. They’ve scheduled a mediation session for tomorrow morning. Does this work for you?”
My stomach drops. “Do I have to be there? Will Daniel be there?”
“Yes and yes,” Zayn says, losing the briskness in his tone. He knows this will be difficult for me, but there’s also something else underlying his words I can’t quite place while I’m having an internal meltdown.
“Okay,” I say, nodding slowly to myself. I can do this. “I have the morning free.”
My heart rate quickens. Me, Zayn and Daniel all in a room together? Honestly, I’d rather take my chances skinny-dipping in a shark-tank. Which is what tomorrow’s meeting will feel like anyway.
“Good. I’ll call you when I have further details. And Gianna?”
“Yeah?” I say weakly.
“You’ll be fine. I won’t let him hurt you ever again.”
It’s not until after he hangs up and I’m left alone in the quiet kitchen that I realise what it was I could hear in his voice. It sounded an awful lot like revenge.