❤︎I didn't want to leave❤︎

ZAYN

Wiping my extra-sweaty palms against my shorts, I grumbled, "It's best if I leave," Truer words had never been spoken. "I'll see you?"

She nodded, though the look in her eyes told me she wished I'd stayed longer. We both knew that wouldn't be appropriate. Especially not with the kind of . . . things I was feeling.

"Do you have Dad's number?" she quickly asked.

It took me a moment to understand what she was saying through the haze that was my mind. "Uh . . . yeah."

"Call him when you want to . . . you know . . ."

Understanding dawned. She was talking about the official proposal. "I will,"

She nodded again and I stood to leave. I was at the door when I said, "What if I can't wait and I come running to your house tomorrow?"

There was a chuckle that immediately warmed my heart. "I don't get to go back home for another three days. You might want to wait this week."

My head snapped back, gaze snagging Leia's. "Yeah, but what if I can't? What if I've already bought rings and gotten the nikkah papers made?"

Her eyes widened. "Have you? Well . . . that's a little creepy."

"Creepy," I repeated in a dry tone. "Not sweet? Oh, now you're just breaking my heart, sweetness."

She gave another roll of her eyes. "Stop calling me that. Go back home and rest."

As if rest was going to find me.

I would be lying awake the whole night with just one thing on my mind.

Still, I solemnly nodded. This time, when I was beginning to open the door, it was Leia who spoke.

"Zayn," she said, as if just remembering something. "The nurse was saying the payment has already been done."

I shrugged, looking down. "Don't know who did it. Must be your Dad."

She gave me a grave look, eyebrows snapped down in displeasure. "You didn't have to do that. Seriously, I can afford it on my own."

"Don't know what you're talking about Leia," I drawled, turning the door handle. "See you soon."