Page 43 of It's All Sun and Games

‘On that note, I’d better get to bed,’ I tell him. ‘You know, if you didn’t fancy it, you could give tomorrow a miss. It’s just some silly team-building thing Rick has organised.’

‘No, no, I would love to come,’ Andrea insists. ‘It sounds like a lot of fun. Plus, when I’m not working, I get bored.’

‘Well, okay then,’ I reply, leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. ‘Thanks for a great night.’

‘Ci vediamo domani,’ he tells me. ‘See you tomorrow.’

‘I’m not even going to attempt to say that one back to you,’ I reply with a giggle. ‘See you tomorrow.’

I feel a strange reluctance in my legs, like I’m not quite ready to get out of the car yet, but it’s time to go to bed.

It isn’t far, from the car park to my apartment, and it’s so well-lit here – it feels safe. I’m not sure I would fancy a night-time stroll through Manchester on my own.

My cheeks actually ache from smiling and laughing so much. That’s the sign of a good night, isn’t it? Plus, I feel like I’m about to burst out of my dress, thanks to all the food in my stomach. Still, I regret nothing.

I walk through the garden, towards the door of the villa where my apartment is. I keep my eyes on the path, rather than looking where I’m going, because I heard there are kittens running around and I’m terrified of standing on one in the dark. I don’t see any but, as I approach the door and finally look up, I jump out of my skin when I realise there is a man standing there.

‘Oh, James, thank God it’s just you,’ I say through a sigh of relief.

‘Look at you, all dressed up,’ he says. ‘Been anywhere nice?’

‘Yeah, to Andrea’s parents’ restaurant,’ I reply. ‘The food was amazing.’

‘Where is he?’ James asks bluntly.

‘Andrea?’ I reply.

Of course he means Andrea; I’m just stalling for time.

‘Yeah,’ he replies.

‘He’s already inside,’ I lie. ‘I said I’d catch him up – I was looking for the kittens.’

‘Oh, screw the kittens,’ James says, edging closer to me. ‘Were you looking for me? Hoping you might bump into me?’

‘You’re an egomaniac,’ I tease him. ‘I was looking for cats – not a dog.’

‘Ouch,’ he practically growls, stopping me in my tracks. ‘Listen, I’ll let you get back to your man, but first – and this is work, so listen closely – I’m hosting a dinner, in my apartment, tomorrow night. No boss, no assistant, no partners. Just the people I want on my team, for Come a Casa. I don’t think you’ll be surprised to hear that I want you.’

God, I know he’s talking about work, but the number of times I’ve dreamt of hearing him say those words to me.

‘I don’t blame you,’ I reply. ‘I’m practically our Italy expert. Sometimes I feel like I might have some Italian in me.’

Okay, okay, okay, I did not mean that like that, but that’s how James has taken it.

I need to call it a night now, while I’m coming out on top.

‘Sounds like a plan, though,’ I say. ‘If we survive the team-building – which we have to be up early for. I’d better get myself to bed.’

‘It’s still a bit early for sleep, isn’t it?’ he replies.

‘Who said anything about sleep?’ I say in a breathy voice. ‘Good night.’

I don’t want to see what his reaction is; instead, I head inside – where I will be getting in bed alone (and having to sleep with the patio doors closed, in case James tries to pay me another visit).

All in all, though, I feel like it’s been a good day.

Let’s see what tomorrow brings.

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