Zach was still annoyed about the whole Josh-coming-over request, but even the cheap coffee from the sportsground canteen did its best to awaken his sleepy brain cells.
He knew he’d be in trouble with Soph, if he said yes. He cursed, threw the disposable cup into the trash bin, and pulled out the information sheet about the day’s events. With long steps, he strode towards the oval and tried to find Mia amongst the hundreds of students. He shook his head. How was he supposed to find her when she wore the same outfit as everyone else? He glanced around and found a non-uniformed, good-looking woman. A smile tugged at his lips.
“Excuse me,” he said as he came closer. “Year eight girls’ shot-put. Any idea where that could be?”
“Who’re you after?” she asked, and for a moment all he did was stare.
At her.
Close up, she looked even better. Nicer. Sexier.
Medium height. Her black hair cut short, and those eyes! The dark blue colour mesmerised him. And her graceful and warm smile made him like her instantly.
She studied him considerately, obviously expecting some sort of response.
“Right.” He scratched the back of his head. “Mia. Mia Levesque.”
Zach drew in his lips as he watched her studying him. And she did. Carefully, from top to as low as she could without being obvious. Bad attempt though, and he looked down to disguise his smile.
Then he saw her hand appear in front of him. “Hi, I’m Natasha Peterson. Mia’s English teacher.”
Well, if that didn’t make his eyebrow twitch in surprise.
“You don’t look like a dragon at all.”
She laughed. “I hope not.”
Shaking her hand he said, “Zach Taylor, Mia’s babysitter.”
With a clear frown and her chin tilted slightly higher, she studied him again. But then her gaze moved into the distance before turning back to him. “Babysitter, eh?”

BLURB:
Zach Taylor, an escort in Sydney, living in Hobart, enlists the help of Natasha Peterson when his teenage friend, Mia, runs away. He soon finds out that the ‘dragon’ is really more of a kitten. And although Natasha, Mia’s teacher, is attracted to him as well, she has her own problems to deal with, not to mention her initial reaction to Zach’s occupation.

Will Zach’s job keep him from a chance to be with Natasha?

Life is good for teenager Mia Levesque. But when Darren Schuster shows up in Hobart, she knows something is up once Sophie and Mark cut their weekend away short and rush home in the middle of the night. When Sophie won’t answer Mia’s questions, emotions run high, and Zach confirms Darren’s identity to Mia. Disappointed, angry, and feeling alone, Mia runs away.

Will life settle back into a routine for Mia once she finds out about the stranger in her life?

4 stars – NEW BEGINNINGS is a very emotional read, one that is heartwarming as well as heart wrenching. It gives you hope in the act of human kindness and that good things do happen to good people. I highly recommend this book.