Page 41 of Someone Like You

I take his hand. ‘At least it’s done now,’ I tell him. ‘Don’t you feel relieved?’

He looks at me and nods.

‘I do, yes.’

I kneel on the sofa, then reach over and give him a hug. ‘You’re Britain’s Best Baker, don’t forget.’

When I release him and sit back on my heels, there’s a hint of amusement in his eyes.

‘So, screw your parents. And no cake for them!’ I declare.

He chuckles – finally – and shakes his head at me. ‘You’re an odd bod, Gaby Rivera.’

I shrug. ‘Whatever works, hey?’

His head tilts and he looks at me intently. ‘Thank you, for being here.’

‘Hey, I got you, boo. Now I have to stand up because—’ Too late. As soon as I release my feet and they hit the floor, the pins and needles kick in. ‘Ow, ow, ow!’ I say, falling back onto the sofa and tapping on my feet to wake them up.

‘Right, while you dothat, I’m ordering in.’

‘Pizza!’ I shout through the pain.

‘Pizza for the banshee, coming right up.’

11

GABY

‘Hiya, sorry I’m late,’ says Freya, climbing onto the stool next to mine. We’re at Whiskey Ginger, which is close to work and one of my favourite haunts. They excel in a cool vibe, tasty cocktails, and burgers so good, they remind me of home.

‘That’s okay. Raff was held up in a meeting anyway. He just texted,’ I say, holding up my phone. ‘ETA: five minutes.’

‘Brilliant – enough time to get a drink.’

She gets up to go to the bar, but I place a hand on her arm to stop her.

‘Orenough time to talk strategy. This isn’t a social gathering, Frey.’

She gives me a weird look.

‘Well, okay, it is, but the primary objective is to see how it went at Raff’s course – with Jane.’

‘Primary object— You sound like we’re executing a plot to overthrow a foreign power or something. Remember what Poppy said? This isn’tMission Impossible,’ she says.

‘Yeah, yeah, okay. But just think, we could be minutes awayfrom learning that Raff has met his match – so to speak,’ I add, realising the unintentional pun.

‘Oh, you’re right,’ she says, a grin splitting her face. ‘Isn’t it exciting? Ooh, I’ll have enough time to order a Christmas stocking with her name embroidered on it.’

‘Well, that may be getting ahead of oursel?—’

‘Hello, I’m late, I know – endless bloody meetings this time of year.’

Raff smacks a kiss on each of our cheeks, then unwraps the tartan scarf from his neck and slides onto the third stool.

‘Though, worth it, of course, Gabs,’ he tells me, still trying to sell me on a role I already want.

‘Right, first things first,’ says Freya – and for the life of me, I’m convinced she’s going to dive straight into asking about Jane. I poke her under the table, and she frowns at me briefly before her gaze lands back on Raff. ‘Congratulations, Baking Star on the Rise!’

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