I wake to an overwhelming warmth surrounding me. Looking down, there's an arm draped over my waist and a subtle snore close to my ear. Somehow during the night, we've moved into the spooning position-I'm the little spoon.

Operation 'get over Hunter' is not going well at all!

My very own Hunter blanket-I could stay like this forever. The clearing of a throat interrupts my blissful state, mum's standing in the doorway watching us-damn it mum! I put my finger to my lips to make sure she stays quiet, and I carefully squeeze myself out from Hunter's embrace.

We head into the kitchen to chat and have breakfast. "Morning, so I see your date went great," she says in a sarcastic tone.

"Well, it was great until Hunter showed up at the hot pools with Emily. It went downhill fairly quickly from there."

"Should I ask?"

"Let's just say, Che's a skank, Emily's mad as hell and bloody Hunter's a pain in the arse who thinks everything's just fine."

"I'm so glad I'm not a teenager anymore," she says, shaking her head.

"Morning ladies. You're looking beautiful as always, Ms Holloway," Hunter says as he walks into the kitchen, totally unaware of our current conversation.

"Always such a charmer, Hunter." Mum rolls her eyes, but I see a blush creeping up her face.

I shake my head. He can't even stop himself from flirting with my mother-which is super gross. I have to force myself to not blow chunks all over the kitchen table.

He sees my shaking head. "Aww, don't be jealous, her spawn is just as beautiful." He moves behind me, wraps his arms around me and rests his head on top of mine. After a couple of seconds of tingles coursing through my veins, he looks at his watch.

"Sorry ladies, better be off. Mum wants me to watch the girls today. Maddie, you coming round later?"

"Sorry, I'm helping mum at the cafe today, but I'll text you tonight, k."

"All good, enjoy your day. See ya, Ms Holloway."

"Bye. Oh, and Hunter-please don't refer to my daughter as spawn ever again," she says.

"Yes, Ms Holloway," he says slowly, like a five-year-old addressing his teacher.

"Get lost Hunter!" mum says jokingly.

Once Hunter's gone, I try eating my breakfast in peace, but mum's sitting across from me, staring. "So... helping me out at the cafe today, are you?"

"If you need a hand I don't mind helping, I just need a break from Hunter. He's been... annoying lately."

"Oh, and why's that?"

"Who knows, but last night went down like a cup of cold sick and right now I just want some time out. It's like he's suddenly taken on the role of overprotective Dad!"

When I say Dad, mum's expression goes blank, and she stares off into space. "Sorry Mum, I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's fine honey, I just miss him, that's all."

"Same."

Dad died a few years ago when I was twelve. He'd won a scenic flight at a local air show. Mum's not into flying and I'm not into heights. So he took a friend of his instead. Neither of them came home that night.

The plane crashed in a field on the outskirts of town. No one on board survived. Sometimes I get sad, wishing he was here to come to school events or supporting me at surfing competitions. But, luckily for us, we have Hunter's family and they've been great. They even helped mum with starting up the cafe. I really don't know where we would be without them.

I end up helping mum at the cafe over the next few days. It sounds like Hunter and Emily have made up and are fused at the hip again, which just makes me want to stay away more. A couple more days go by and Hunter texts me about a party he's having at his place. His parents and sisters are visiting family in the Coromandel, so he's home alone for the next week.

I head out the door and tell mum I'll probably crash at Hunters tonight. "Be safe, honey."

"I will, Mum."

When I get to Hunter's, pretty much everyone I know is there already. I spot Jenna and Sienna sitting on the couch in the living room; I weave my way through the crowd to talk to them. I haven't seen Jenna since the embarrassing date with her cousin.

"Maddie!" Jenna screams, "OMG! I'm so sorry about my dickhead cousin. If I had've known he'd asked you out, I would have told you to stay far, far away. But I hear Hunter came and saved the day." She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

"Well, if you mean he embarrassed me in front of your cousin, pissed off Emily, drove said cousin away and made me cry. Then yeah, I guess he saved the day."

"Here, you look like you need this." Sienna hands me a bottle.

"This is why I like you Sienna. You know just what I need, at just the right time, like this cider. So keep 'em coming, because I have a feeling I'm gonna need more before tonight is over." I take a long swig before seeing Hunter walking towards me, with Emily stuck to him, like flies on flypaper. That's probably a bit harsh, but I'm the jealous best friend-so whatever!

"Maddie, I feel like I haven't seen you in ages." He peels Emily off and squeezes in between me and Jenna on the couch-there's no room for him, but that doesn't stop him. He puts his arm around me and pulls me in for a really uncomfortable hug. I look up at Emily and she looks annoyed, yet again!

"I'm gonna get another drink," she says and storms off. Again, Hunter is totally oblivious to her mood.

"So, I've been thinking since I haven't seen you much lately, I think we need to hang out for the day, just you and me. Now, I know you've been helping your mum a lot lately, so I asked her when you're free and she said you're not working over the next few days, so what do ya say? We can go surfing, go to the movies, anything you want. Sound good?"

Actually, it sounds like pure torture! Thanks a lot, mum!

But what can I say, I'm totally in love with this guy and hanging out with him just-makes everything better. Which is probably why I'm so grumpy when I'm avoiding him. So the sucker for punishment that I am. I tell him, "I'd love to."

"Great!" He then kisses me on the cheek and gets up to go find Emily.

I can feel Sienna and Jenna's eyes on me.

"Ok, what?"

"Um... is he normally like that with you?" Jenna asks.

I look at them, a little confused.

"Yeah, he seems... more lovey-dovey than normal," adds Sienna.

"Ok, so I haven't been imagining it then?" They both shake their heads.

I've tried not to read too much into it, but he has been hugging and touching me more than normal lately. Then there was that weird moment at the beach the other week and now kissing me on the cheek. He's never done that before.

I try to downplay it because I don't want Jenna reading too much into it. She's a great friend, but she loves to create drama out of thin air and I do not need Emily getting all weird about our friendship. Even though, if I'm being honest, she probably already is. I down a couple more drinks, the music gets turned up and we all start dancing the night away.

I'm dancing with a bunch of guys when I feel a familiar pair of arms wrap around me again. Freaking Hunter can't help himself!

"You look like you're having way too much fun without me," he says close to my ear. The way he says it, I can tell he's tipsy. The tingles spread once more down my spine as his lips brush over my ear and cheek.

"Yes I am, so bugger off!" He pulls me in tighter.

"You're so cute when you're annoyed at me."

"Keyword annoyed, so go find Emily to harass."

"Aww, come on Maddie-don't be like that. You know I love you the most!"

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, we both freeze-this just got real awkward, real fast.

"Um... I might just go see what Emily's up to." He lets go of me and walks away, not looking back.

What was that? I think to myself. Confused, I look around and my eyes lock onto another pair on the other side of the room-and she does not look impressed!