My whole body twinkles at seeing him.
‘Hi,’ I say, panting heavily after running here from the Tube station.
Leo looks at me evenly, betraying no emotion.
I take a deep breath and lift my chin.
‘So, the thing is, Leo . . . I’m a woman who likes to go out to nightclubs and rock concerts. I eat Pot Noodles any chance I get, and I don’t always change my socks. I’ve slept with lots of people, I’m not ashamed of it and I don’t think I should be either. I really didn’t like your Drive Alive advert – I’m sorry, but it is shit. I love wearing a nice comfy onesie and I don’t really wear quirky hats and gloves. My mum did die.’ My voice wobbles a bit. I clear my throat and soldier on. ‘And it’s the worst thing that ever happened to me. I’m still trying to get over it, and I don’t know if I ever will, but I’ll keep trying. I don’t know much about poetry and art, but I’m open to learning about it. I swear a lot. A fucking, fucking lot. My grandma is a bit crazy. I really do love your drawings.’ I clasp the drawings I have to my chest. ‘And I think it’s awesome and bold that you left your job to become an artist. I have some fairly hefty commitment issues, but I’m working on them. And I’ve never been sorrier about anything in my life than what I did to you . . . So, well, that’s me in a nutshell, pretty much. Oh wait, there’s one more thing . . . I love you, Leo. I fucking love you.’
I look up into his extraordinary eyes. The eyes I know so well, but don’t really know at all yet. They crinkle at the corners as his face breaks out into a huge grin.
Leo holds out his hand, his eyes travelling over my face as if he’s trying to imprint it onto his brain.
‘Hello, Jess,’ he says. ‘I’m Leo Frost. I am really, really pleased to meet you. I’ve heard great things.’
I laugh out loud, smiling so much that I think I might pull a muscle in my face.
‘I’m Jessica Beam. Jess.’ I take his hand and shake it.
‘It’s good to finally meet you, Jess,’ he says softly, his voice breaking with emotion as he utters my real name.
He pulls me inside his apartment, weaves his hands up into my hair and kisses me in the way that makes every single part of me glow. And I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that this, right here, is what love feels like.
‘Would you like a drink?’ Leo asks when we eventually pull apart.
‘Yes please,’ I reply, as I go with him into the kitchen, a massive dopey smile on my face. ‘You got any pear cider?’
Acknowledgements
It’s been quite a journey, writing this book, and it wouldn’t have been possible without this whole bunch of tremendous people.
My sincere thanks to:
Hannah Ferguson, super-agent, who is the perfect blend of wisdom, patience and encouragement. Thanks also to the excellent Marsh Agency team.
My editor and friend, the wicked smart Caroline Hogg, who, in the most awesome way, wouldn’t let up until this book was the best it could possibly be. A most outstanding lady.
The clever people at Pan Macmillan including sales, marketing and editorial teams. Particular thanks to Natasha Harding, Jeremy Trevathan, Eloise Wood, Victoria Hughes-Williams, Jodie Mullish, Lucie Cuthbertson-Twiggs and Juliet Van Oss.
James Annal and Lloyd Jones, for creating the dreamiest of covers.
Team Novelicious, for being the most brilliant bunch of book nerds I could ever hope to know.
Kerry Hiatt – such a fantastic Novelicious editor and saver of bacon on many occasions!
Poppy Dolan, Rosie Blake and Holly Kingston, for inspiring me with your mega talent and allowing me to work with you.
Leah Graham, for giving me the loveliest, most encouraging beta read. Praise from you is high praise indeed!
The fabulously passionate book blogging community who have been incredibly supportive from day one, especially Victoria Stone, Kevin Loh, Lynsey James, Kirsty Maclennan, Steph Pegler, Eve Chong, Amanda Moran and Bronagh McAteer.
Andy and Angie – for your wonderful and consistent support.
For their uplifting encouragement – Dawn Dacombe, Nick Jones, Ben Holmes and Sharon Dudley.
Cesca Major – the loveliest person I’ve yet to meet and just the best email companion through this whole writing adventure.
For making me a happier human – Mary Holmes.
Mum, Dad, Lynette, Nichola and Tony – my noisy, absurd, beautiful, funny, heroic gang, who inspire me every single day.
Edd, beautiful man, for being my true constant in a crazy-ass year.
Finally, a big thanks to you readers. Hearing from you is the dopest thing about this job. I really hope you enjoyed hanging out with Jessica Beam.
The
Vintage Guide to
LOVE AND
ROMANCE
Kirsty Greenwood was born in 1982 in Oldham, Greater Manchester. A graduate of North Trafford College and Salford University, she is the founding editor of the popular female fiction website Novelicious. Kirsty’s first novel was Yours Truly.
You can say hello to Kirsty @kirstybooks
or connect with Kirsty online:
www.kirstygreenwood.com
www.facebook.com/kirstygreenwoodbooks
www.novelicious.com
www.twitter.com/novelicious
First published 2015 by Pan Books
This electronic edition published 2015 by Pan Books
an imprint of Pan Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
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ISBN 978-1-4472-6386-9
Copyright © Kirsty Greenwood 2015
Illustration by Jaqueline Bissett
Design by cabinlondon.co.uk
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The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance Page 32