Always With Love by Giovanna Fletcher Read Free Book Online

and gain a bit of squidge,’ Jenny clarifies as the duo perch on adjacent sun loungers in the shade. ‘Somewhere between a six pack and a beer belly,’ she continues.
    ‘I do not have a beer belly,’ mutters Billy, clearly offended.
    ‘No, guys with dad bods don’t have beer bellies,’ shrugs Hayley, as if her comment is meant to be far from the insult it was delivered as.
    ‘Don’t fight it – it’s fashionable, big bro,’ laughs Lauren from the other side of us, picking up a magazine and flicking through its pages.
    ‘Can’t wait for a bit of Little Dom’s. It’s been ages,’ Billyshrugs, choosing to sidestep the topic as he unwraps his towel to expose his body once more, proudly standing with his hands on his hips and, in my eyes, looking pretty darn perfect.
    ‘Meatballs?’ asks Lauren, knowingly.
    ‘Of course.’
    ‘Yuck. How can you do that to your bodies?’ asks Hayley with disgust.
    ‘They’re both on a gluten, meat, sugar, everything-that-tastes-good free diet. Like most girls in LA,’ Lauren whispers to me with a smirk.
    ‘We heard that,’ says Jenny, looking put out.
    I’m just about to start some small talk and move the conversation on to something away from food and body type when I feel Billy’s arms squeeze around my waist before lifting me up and waddling the pair of us over to the pool.
    ‘Billy, what are you doing? Put me down!’ I shriek through laughter, just as Billy steps from the edge and our bodies splash into the cool water. ‘It’s bloody freezing,’ I gasp as I come back up for air and push my hair out of my face.
    ‘You’ll get used to it,’ Billy laughs.
    He’s right. The more I kick and move around the less my body shivers at the chill around me. In fact, it’s actually not that cold, just a lot colder than being sat on a sun lounger in the sunshine.
    Still holding on to my waist, Billy pulls me closer to him and guides us to the furthest part of the pool so that we’re facing the gorgeous city skyline and away from the house and his family.
    ‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ he whispers, kissing my wet shoulder. ‘Sod doing this without you.’
    ‘You said it was all sibling teasing,’ I say, leaning my head lightly on his.
    ‘Yeah, but too much of this and I’ll end up with a headache,’ he laughs, straightening his head while giving it a little shake. ‘I’d forgotten what it’s like.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘Being with my loving family,’ he says, throwing his head back and letting out a big laugh.
    I smile at the sound, loving the warmth of it.
    ‘Bloody dad bod,’ he huffs.
    We perch there with our arms resting on the side of the pool, quietly looking out at the busy city below and enjoying the peace around us. We’re up here in paradise and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m loving every second of it – even the spikiness of family dynamics. It beats growing up in a household of despair and misery. At least they had family members to wind up. I was left with only one member and I was too scared to even talk to her in case she broke.
    But this?
    This is much more pleasant.

5
    Dinneris amazing. Little Dom’s is incredible. I’ve never been to Italy, but this restaurant is like being given a chunk of it. The smells, the tastes, the friendly waiters with their thick Italian accents and bushy moustaches, it all feels authentic, cosy and inviting. I love it.
    As soon as we sit down, an array of goodness is carried out to the table on direct orders from the chef. Having heard Billy is back in town, they’re clearly bending over backwards to give their VIP guest extra special service. They politely fuss and ensure we have everything we could possibly want and more. Likewise, the guests in the restaurant all show Billy a spot of love too: ‘welcome back’ drinks are discreetly sent over, business cards are exchanged and friendly conversations shared. It feels as though a bubble of excitement surrounds Billy – something I’m not used to