You Grow Girl: An uplifting and poignant romantic comedy by Belle Henderson

Author:Belle Henderson [Henderson, Belle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tamarillas Press
Published: 2023-02-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

‘Lottie, I’ve missed you.’ Brandon, who’s somehow managed to teleport over to us, has now launched himself towards me, forcing my arms into a long embrace. I inhale his minty smell and close my eyes. This is exactly what I wanted but it doesn’t feel completely how I expected. Like a drug, bringing Liam seems to have worked a treat. This is the perfect outcome, right? ‘You look gorgeous, lost a bit of junk in the trunk? Not much of a pudding now, we’ll have to come up with a new nickname.’ He pats my hips then pulls away from me before attempting to twizzle me round, a thing we used to do when we were a couple. A thing that I don’t want to do right now. Not in front of everyone after six months of radio silence.

‘Wow, what a fucking compliment,’ Liam mutters and my mouth drops open.

‘Alright mate,’ Brandon says as his eyes move towards Liam, puffing his chest out. ‘Well, I’m not going to take you seriously with your poncy girl’s drink.’ Brandon scoffs then flicks the end of Liam’s straw, reminding me of a little, bratty kid.

‘Why do you think it’s alright to comment on the size of a woman’s body?’ Liam retorts, his Irish accent sounding stronger than ever.

‘Sorry, but what has any of this got to do with you? Why are you even here?’ Brandon attempts to take my hand again and I bat it away. ‘What? Don’t tell me you’re together? Well well well…’ he continues.

Liam clenches his jaw slowly and steps towards Brandon.

‘Okkkaaayyy, this is all getting a bit tense, how about we all get a shot of something to chill everyone out. Limoncello?’ Ziggy suggests. ‘It’s Liam, isn’t it? Come with me, dude. I’m happy to treat everyone to some champagne too, if that’s what people are into.’ Ziggy tries but no one acknowledges him. Liam and Brandon glare at each other, now both with clenched jaws whilst I stand in between them like a helpless damsel in distress. This is what I wanted, right?

‘I’d like to speak with Lottie alone,’ Brandon says evenly.

‘Come on mate, let’s get a drink, I want to hear more about your charity work.’ Ziggy takes Liam by the arm but he shrugs him off.

‘Is that what you really want?’ Liam asks, as he tenderly touches my cheek then tucks a stray curl behind my ear. The question feels loaded, either that, or he’s very good at playing the boyfriend. Too good.

‘Yes,’ I say, blinking back a determined tear. ‘I need to.’

Liam allows Ziggy to lead him over to the bar, he glances back a couple of times. The last time he mouths, ‘Are you okay?’ I mouth back yeah don’t worry then turn my attention back to Brandon who quickly rearranges his expression from twisty jealous face to puppy dog eyes and beautiful smile. I should be melting at that smile but it definitely looks different, bigger teeth? Whiter? I imagined that I would be delirious after not seeing him in the flesh for six months.

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