Page 114 of The Dicktionary Club

I dared to look at him as he continued towards me with a slight smirk.

‘You are intelligent beyond words. Yes, you have been hurt, so you are fiercely protective of yourself and the people you love. You’re also kind, witty and undeniably beautiful. I mean, look at her, ladies and gentlemen.’

A few scattered claps filled the space, and I felt myself blushing.

What was he doing?

‘You, Ella, are sensitive and loving. But above all else, you deserve to be loved.’

I felt a tear wander down my face as he finally reached me.

‘Look, I could stand here all fucking day if they’d let me and list your so-called green flags to the world, but the truth is, this week has been exceptionally hard, and not because of what happened or what was printed in the press. But because you weren’t with me. I am lost without you, Pilates.’

I felt a laugh fall out of my mouth, completely in shock. I plunged towards Philip, wrapping my arms around him in the biggest display of affection I could have ever managed. Philip swept me up off the ground, kissing me again and again. Around us, the room filled with applause and cheering.

A few moments later, I felt a tap on my shoulder, and my gentlemanly friend stood holding out his hand for the mic. ‘I know I said off the cuff, hen, but that was seriously taking the biscuit.’

I smiled. ‘I’m so sorry!’

‘C’mon.’ Philip held out his hand and pulled me towards the foyer. ‘Fuck, I’ve missed you.’ He kissed me once more.

‘I’ve missed you more.’ I couldn’t believe the words were leaving my mouth. ‘And I promise you, the Dicktionary Club is coming down. It has caused so many problems, and I’m so sorry you were dragged into it.’

He smiled, relieved. ‘I’m just happy to see you, Ella.’ Philip laughed. ‘Is it strange that I still want to call you Pilates,though?’

I smirked. ‘You know you can still call me whatever you want.’

Philip’s dark eyes locked on mine, and he picked me up again, holding me close.

‘Anything?’ he asked.

‘Well .?.?. maybe not obnoxious, uptight or controlling again. Yeah, that wasn’t fun!’ I giggled, still sweating and shaking.

‘Deal!’ he said, and we both burst out laughing as, and in hand, we headed back out onto the streets of Glasgow.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Zola

Zola stood nervously at her front door, not knowing whether to knock on it or take out her key and let herself in. The sky was dark above her as she waited.What will I say?she wondered.What if he has someone else in there?It had never crossed her mind before this moment that Curtis could have moved on. But they hadn’t spoken properly in weeks, and she wasn’t sure what they were at this point. She needed to know.

Zola finally took a step forward and knocked on the door. She brushed down her fitted khaki knee-length dress and waited for him to answer.

The door creaked open, and Curtis stood there with his shorts and vest on. He lifted his head. ‘Why are you knocking?’ he asked.

Zola shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I wasn’t sure what to do,’ she admitted.

He strode away from the door, leaving it open behind him.

Zola entered their tiny apartment and looked around. She was surprised. Everything was spotless, and it didn’t smell awful like she’d expected.

‘You’ve cleaned up.’ She smiled, sitting down on the sofa.

‘Yeah,’ Curtis replied, pausing his game on the TV and taking a seat on the chair facing Zola. ‘So, what’s up? Did you come tocollect clothes? Or are you here to tell me how you’ve met other men while you’ve been away?’

Zola’s heart dropped.He still sounded pissed.

‘No,’ she sighed.

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