Chapter Thirty-One
Zola
Across Glasgow, Zola was lying in Katy’s bed, working on the website.
She was reading through all the additional reviews uploaded, adding extra tabs and features, ensuring it worked as smoothly as possible.
She found it a great way to distract herself and keep busy as Katy entertained yet another new date in the living room.
Zo was playing her favourite R she was sitting on the toilet pan, looking flushed, with one hand holding her phone and the other rubbing her fanny.
‘Katy McIntyre!’ Zola squealed in shock.
‘Agh, fucking hell!’ Katy grabbed a tiny hand towel hanging off the sink and attempted to cover any modesty she had left.
‘Are you .?.?. are you wanking yourself off?’ Zola squirmed, a shiver running through her. Katy’s phone was still playing, and Zola glanced at the screen. ‘To Grant Mitchell ? Fucking hell, babe!’
‘Ross Kemp! And what if I was? It’s my house, Zo!’ Katy scowled back.
Zola’s face remained twisted. ‘Didn’t you like just have sex?’
Katy’s eyes rolled. ‘Trust me, I wouldn’t call it that. That cunt was rubbing my belly button at one point. These men should have paid better attention to female anatomy at school!’
Zola burst out laughing, and eventually, Katy did too.
‘What’s up? Do you need to pee?’ Katy asked, finally pausing Kemp’s documentary.
Zola’s shoulders relaxed, and she perched herself on the bath ledge. ‘No. It’s just .?.?. One of the gym girls dated Alvaro.’ She let out a sigh. ‘And she gave him a five-star review, too.’
‘Ohh!’ Katy adjusted herself, sitting up on the pan.
‘Yep, and I don’t know why, but I feel weird about it. Like I’m angry at him or something,’ Zola admitted.
‘Awww, it’s because you liked him, Zo. Of course you do, it’s only natural.’ Katy smiled and leaned forward to hold her friend’s hand.
‘No, no, wash your hands first, babe!’ Zola dodged out of the way.
‘I mean, I did feel a connection, but I love Curtis, don’t I?
Alvaro was just so attentive, and asked me deep questions about myself – opposed to What’s for tea, Zo?
or Have you seen this reel of a cat in the shower?
It was just nice to feel that spark, that excitement, you know?
Waiting for his name to appear on my screen. Fuck, my head is all over the place!’
‘That’s lust, though. It doesn’t last forever. You know this, Zo!’
‘But, maybe this is a sign? Maybe I shouldn’t have cut all contact with Alvaro?’
Katy sighed. ‘Oh God, no! Don’t start this again.’
‘What?’
‘How would you have felt if Curtis was on that list? If one of them dated Curtis?’
Zola’s eyes almost popped out of her head. ‘Girl, you know he wouldn’t be alive for a second date!’
Katy smirked. ‘And there’s your answer. You can connect with someone and have a moment in time with them, but ultimately, love wins. Every time. And you and Curtis love one another. Right?’
Zola’s eyes welled up and she took a deep breath in. ‘Right.’
‘You will sort this out, Zo. Give him space or do whatever you need to do?’ Katy added.
Zola nodded. ‘Yeah, you’re right,’ she whispered back.
‘Do you need me to come lie with you?’ Katy asked.
Zo smiled. ‘Nah, girl. It’s OK, that’s all I needed to hear. I’ll let you return to Limp Bizkit on the sofa.’
Katy’s face screwed up. ‘Ew, no way! I’m going back to Ross! Shut the door on your way out, will you?’
‘No probs, Mrs Kemp,’ Zola sniggered, shook her head, then tiptoed back into the bedroom.