Page 109 of The One That I Want

‘Okay,’ I say, accepting his offer to listen. ‘We discovered that my assistant editor was feedingNouveau LifeIP to a competitor.’

‘Oh no,’ he says, recoiling in horror.

‘Yes. That’s about how I responded when I found out. Anyway, yesterday we sacked her, and it was… it was shit, actually,’ I say with a droll smile.

‘I can only imagine. Were you close? Professionally?’

‘I chose her especially for the role. And yes, we were close. Or I thought we were. That’s what hurt most – the betrayal.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

I shake my head to dislodge all thoughts of Bex and smile at him brightly. ‘Anyway… enough of all that. Tell me somethingfun. Tell me what Remy’s been up to – or how about our MI6 agent?’

‘Our MI6—Oh, the English-breakfast-plus-a-shot-of-espresso bloke.’

‘Has he been back?’ I ask. ‘With everything going on, it feels like ages since I was at The Daily Grind. I’ve missed out on all the action.’

Ewan grins. ‘Actually, he came in again yesterday.’

‘And?’ I ask with a laugh.

‘AndI overheard him telling another patron why he orders coffee and tea together.’

‘You did not! Way to bury the lead!’

‘Sorry,’ he says, raising his hands in contrition. ‘I’d planned to tell you, but the moment I saw you on the bridge, I was so taken aback by how gorgeous you looked, every other thought flew out of my head.’

The compliment sends a shockwave of joy surging through me. I’m more lit up inside than London on Bonfire Night.

‘Well, in that case, I forgive you,’ I say with my best flirtatious smile.

His mouth quirks. ‘How magnanimous of you.’

‘I am nothing if not magnanimous.’

He pauses, his expression becoming earnest. ‘I think it’s a good sign that we can tease each other, don’t you?’ he asks.

‘I think so too. And Ienjoyteasing you,’ I say with a head tilt.

His eyebrows shoot towards his hairline, and he smirks knowingly.

‘Oh god, I didn’t mean that to come across assexual. Not that Idon’twant anything sexu— Bollocks. Shut up, Greta!’

His smirk widens into a grin and we both burst out laughing.

‘So,’ he says as our laughter dies away, ‘just to clarify: youareamenable to something sexual happening between us?’

‘Oh my god.’ I grab the top of my head with both hands, pulling my chin onto my chest while Ewan chuckles away. ‘Please stop laughing at me,’ I say.

I feel a gentle tug on my forearms. ‘Hey…’ I drop my hands and lift my gaze. ‘I promise I’m not laughingatyou.’

I stare at him disbelievingly.

‘Well, I was, but it definitely wasn’t malicious. On the contrary, I am delighted to learn that you?—’

‘Stop!’ I say, dissolving into laughter again. ‘You win! I fancy you, all right?’

‘That is more than all right,’ he says wearing a cat-that-got-the-cream smile, ‘because I thought you were gorgeous the very first moment I saw you.’

---