Page 116 of The Dicktionary Club

He sniffled. ‘Yeah. Yeah.’

‘But I want you to be happy,’ Zola said. ‘We need to figure out if this relationship is really what we both want. We could startgoing on dates and things even? Take it slow.’

‘Whatever you need to do, but I know what I want, and it’s right here,’ Curtis insisted, squeezing her.

Zola attempted a smile, but felt the guilt still pulse through her. She had no idea if things would work out long term, but in this moment, it felt good just to be comforted and wanted.

‘I got you a present, by the way.’ She turned, pulling her bag from the coffee table.

His face lit up curiously.

Zola pulled out an Xbox controller and handed it to him. ‘Ta-da!’

‘Ha, a spare controller! Is this a trick? You hate me playing!’ He laughed.

She threw back her braids and tutted. ‘Oh, this ain’t for you!’

Curtis raised a brow, completely confused.

‘You’re going to teach me how to play, because I want to be involved in all that fun you’re having!’

Curtis laughed loudly. ‘You’re not serious! You want in?’

Zola nodded back, realising how much she’d missed him: his easy laugh, his smile, his touch.

‘Oh, it’s on now, girl! I’ll load it up!’ He bounced up off the sofa and restarted the Xbox, setting up Zola’s controller.

For the rest of the night, they laughed together, catching up in between games, making plans for the future, and telling each other just how much they were missed.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Ella

It had been a few weeks since the exhibition, and our new PR and marketing company was finally ready to launch ahead of schedule. The night before our first official date in the office – well, my spare bedroom – we planned a night out with the boys in Wunderbar to celebrate. As Philip and I headed in, engulfed by the live music being playing loudly by the talented musician in the corner and the crowds of drunken Glaswegian girls singing their hearts out, stomping their feet off-beat, I immediately felt at home. God, I loved Glasgow.

Philip and I wove our way through the groups of partygoers and spotted Zola, Curtis and Katy chatting in a booth, waiting for our arrival.

‘Hey!’ I gushed as I saw our friends.

‘Hey, guys!’ Zola beamed. ‘Oh, Philip, this is my fiancé, Curtis! Curtis, this is Philip!’

The two men shook hands and began chatting as I wedged in beside the girls.

‘So, the night before we go live!’ I squeezed both their hands nervously.

‘Yes, and congratulations, girls! I am so pleased you took the plunge,’ Philip said.

Katy giggled. ‘Well, thanks to Ella, we didn’t have a choice.’

‘Very true,’ I agreed.

‘Do we have a name yet, ladies?’ Curtis asked.

I looked at both my friends, and we pulled a face together. ‘Lipstick and Headlines!’ I announced. ‘And we also have our first client.’

There was a cheer from the table at our new name.

‘Already got a client too!’ Philip looked shocked. ‘Anyone I know?’

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