Page 119 of Even Ground

She laughs, turning toward the door. “Just be quick. I want to get out of here.”

“Yes, boss.”

At first I think my words are lost as she closes the door behind her.

“I should think so,” she calls out.

* * *

We’re on the road by 5:20 a.m., and I’m soon lulled back to sleep by the long, mostly straight motorway out of town.

It’s around three hours to drive from Auckland to Whakatane, but Pania wakes me halfway through the trip when we reach a town called Matamata to stop for food.

“I was going to stop earlier, but you were so sound asleep, I thought I’d leave you to it.” She smiles.

I run my fingers through my hair. “I feel much better now.”

“It’s still early, but there’s a twenty-four hour McDonald’s here and we can stop for breakfast.”

My mouth waters at the thought of a Big Mac.

“Are you drooling?” We pull into the parking lot, and I press my hands together at the sight of the magical golden arches.

“Maybe.”

Pania parks the car. “We’ll go in and eat. It’s easier than trying to do it while driving.”

“Sounds good to me.”

We exit the car and walk toward the entrance. I take Pania’s hand in mine, and she smiles at me. “Are we doing this in public?”

“We already have. I guarantee your classmates haven’t kept their stories to themselves.”

She leans her head on my shoulder. “I guess.”

“Is that a problem?”

We pause outside the door and she turns to me. “If it was, do you think I’d let you keep holding my hand? I’ve spent two years thinking about this, and I’ve seen how Delaney’s life has changed. I’m ready.”

I run my index finger along her jaw. “I’m glad because I don’t want to hide.”

“Me either.”

We order breakfast, but I basically order lunch, twice over, as well. And the entire time we sit and eat, Pania shakes her head at how much I shovel into my mouth. It’s been so long since I indulged in a Big Mac. Plus, I’m a growing boy.

People stare. I eat. Pania glows red with embarrassment. And then we climb back into the car and drive another hour and a half.

“Nearly there,” she says as we pass a sign that tells me we’ve reached Whakatane. “I can’t wait to see Mum’s face when she sees you.”

“Wait. Does your mom know I’m coming?” I ask.

Pania glances at me. “I told her I was bringing someone home with me. I didn’t tell her who. She’ll love having a guest, but she’ll go overboard if she knows it’s you.”

I chuckle. “Why?”

“She thinks you look charming. God knows where she’d get that idea.”

I narrow my eyes, but when she glances again at me, the smile on her lips gives her away.