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And Louis wants to know, ‘Did they oust your dad and declare you the new CEO of Arrowmile?’
Lloyd laughs, bracing his hands on the back of the chair Burnley leaves for him but not sitting down yet. He looks more relaxed now than he did a moment ago – and definitely lighter than he did throughout hiswhole presentation. The weight of the world off his shoulders, for a little while at least.
He fills us all in on what happened after we left. A couple of people from the labs or Dylan’s R&D team were there and could back up the science and data Lloyd used, and several managers wanted to back his proposal, see if it really did have legs.
Encouraged, and not knowing if he’d get a chance like this again, Lloyd told them it was only the tip of the iceberg. He showed them his file with all the notes he’d been collating over the past few years, other Arrowmile projects he wanted to work on in more depth. Apparently, one of the guys from the labs – the not-that-kind-of-doctor scientist who’d taken us on a tour right at the start of our internship – suggested Lloyd would be better placed pursuing some kind of science degree instead.
He had, apparently, a natural aptitude for it.
Lloyd catches my eye as he says that, fighting back a smile and failing.
‘Is that what you want to do?’ Verity asks him, surprised.
‘I mean … Kind of, yeah.’ He shuffles awkwardly from one foot to the other, then braces himself and announces, ‘Yes. It is.’
‘What did your dad say?’ I ask.
He shrugs one shoulder. ‘Not a whole lot. There wasn’t much hecouldsay. Even he had to admit it was worth hearing me out. We’ve set up some time next week to go through everything in more detail.’
‘Mate!’ Monty stands up to clap him on the shoulder. ‘That’s great news! Definitely deserves a pint – you smashed it. Anyone else?’
‘We should do shots,’ Burnley says, and is met with a resounding and unyielding chorus of ‘No!’ from half the group, which makes everyone laugh.
‘I’ll get a round in,’ Lloyd tells Monty, prompting him back into his seat. ‘This one’s on me – to say thanks to you all for letting me highjack your day like that.’
‘Well,mostof us weren’t clued in,’ Dylan points out, but he’s grinning. ‘I’ll have another G&T. Make it a double, if you’re buying!’
When Lloyd leaves to join the queue at the bar, an elbow digs sharply into my side.
‘Ouch! What was that for?’ I turn to face Elaine, who’s looking at me wide-eyed and urgent, jerking her head in Lloyd’s direction, which is about as subtle as a foghorn. So I mumble that I’ll go help, and ignore the sidelong looks and cheeky grins the others exchange as I follow Lloyd to the bar to steal a few moments alone.
I stand close, my fingers brushing against his elbow. It’s still strange – thrilling – that I can touch him likethis. It’s a far cry from the stolen, secret touches in the canteen – and infinitely better.
‘How’re you feeling?’ I ask.
He blows out a long puff of air, leaning on his elbows on the countertop before straightening up and angling his body towards me. ‘Honestly? Kind of relieved. I’m glad I did it. Dad will come around, now he can see there are other people on board and I’m not just full of hot air, or trying to undermine him. And I think – I think I’m going to try to change my uni course. I was talking to Will about it the other day; he thought it was a good idea. Said he’ll back me, if it causes trouble with Dad. Apparently, I’ve had his back enough times that he owes me.’
Lloyd looks tired, worn down, but his smile is earnest and there’s a gleam in his eyes. My hand slips up his arm to his shoulder and he draws me in a little closer, his hand settling on my hip. His thumb brushes in slow arcs over my dress, sending tingles through my whole body.
‘Thanks, Annalise.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’
‘Yes, you did. I couldn’t have done this without you.’
‘You sure about that, Fletcher? I can’t imagine you having a hard time using that inflated ego of yours to get your way eventually.’
He smirks a little, but the look in his eyes is more serious. ‘I mean it. I was playing it safe. Too busy being “the golden boy” to rock the boat. Thanks for reminding me who I am. Who I want to be.’
‘And who’s that?’
Instead of replying, Lloyd smiles at me – close-lipped and full of mischief, because the answer to that question is a secret we both know, and he kisses me.
And it’s wonderful.
Thin stretches of cotton-wool clouds drift across the sky. Reclined on a blanket in the patchy, hazy sunshine in Hyde Park, I close my eyes, enjoying the warmth on my face without the full glare of the sun. Beneath my head, Lloyd’s chest rises and falls so steadily I wonder if maybe he’s fallen asleep.
But then his body shifts, and his fingers trail through my hair instead. I hum, enjoying the sensation. It’s so soothing thatImight fall asleep.
