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‘You’re full of it tonight, aren’t you?!’ I say and put a dollop of whipped cream on her nose. ‘I’ll have you know I’m only five years older than you.’
Leyna shrieks with indignation and wipes the whipped cream away. ‘Now that was naughty. I’m not about to argue over justhow much olderyou are. Anyways, I have some good news. Sort of. I’ve applied for a community business grant,’ Leyna says quietly.
‘What’s this? To open up your art gallery?’
She nods her head. ‘I’m so fed up of waiting. These emails came out the other day. You might have seen them, looking for local business start-ups.’
‘Yes, I know what you mean. I think the whole university got those emails.’
‘Well, I think they were probably intended for academics who want to start their own companies, but I read through everything, and I thought why not? There was nothing in the description that said I couldn’t apply. So now I just have to wait and see I suppose.’
‘Leyna, I think that’s fantastic.’
‘You do? I probably won’t get one.’
‘Don’t think that way. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.’
‘My granny used to say that.’
‘Mine too.’ I smile at her. ‘Will you come home with me tonight?’
She nods and smiles. ‘I would love to.’
Chapter 39
Jack
Leyna is snuggled intome, her head resting against my chest and shoulder. We’re both quiet and I can’t stop thinking about everything that’s happened this evening: the poetry night with Charis, running into the guys, and then dessert afterwards. Is this what my life could be like?
‘Are you okay?’ I ask out of habit. Leyna is drawing tender circles on my chest, and I sweep a tendril of her hair away from face.
‘Why wouldn’t I be?’ Her voice is languid, like sleep was already starting to take hold. ‘I’m here with a gorgeous man in this lovely, warm, cosy bed.’
‘Do you know, I think about that all the time. How much warmer my home feels with you in it.’
She gives me a squeeze around my middle.
