Page 13 of The Pop-Up Cake Shop

‘Can you turn it up?’ I called through. ‘Please?’

A moment later, he popped his head round the door, smiling. ‘Sorry, Madame?’

‘Love the song. I didn’t realise you were familiar with theSleepless in Seattlemusic.’

‘Ah, well, there are things you still don’t know about me.’ He grinned. ‘It’s quite a good film, I’ll give you that.’

‘You’vewatchedit?’ I gawped at him. ‘But youhateromcoms.’

He shrugged. ‘I’m trying to broaden my tastes. Nothing wrong with that, is there?’

‘Nothing at all.’ I smiled happily. ‘So when will dinner be ready? Are you sure you don’t want any help?’

‘No, no. You’re here as my special guest so no work required. You’ve even got time for another soak in your favourite bath if you like.’ He winked and ducked out.

I was smiling to myself as I wandered into the bathroom. It sounded rather formal being Richard’s ‘special guest’ but I knew what he meant. Had he watchedSleeplessbecause he’d been missing me and wanted to bridge the gap and feel closer to me? That was somethingIwould do, but I hadn’t realised Richardcould be that romantic. But maybe absence really did make the heart grow fonder...

I’d been unsure before I got here about the state of our relationship. It had felt as if we were growing apart. But I was feeling closer to Richard than ever now.

Maybe the magic of New York was playing its part. I was loving the whole vibe.

And we still had two whole days to spend together...

CHAPTER SIX

Next morning, when I woke, I remembered that Richard had to go to work first thing.

I called out his name but the apartment was silent. He must have already left.

He’d been quite apologetic about it the previous night, but I didn’t mind at all. I was still suffering a little jet lag, so I’d be able to take my time getting up and taking a long shower in the luxurious bathroom before making coffee (that machine was next-level amazing) and indulging in some of the delicious pastries we’d bought yesterday for breakfast.

As I stretched luxuriously, doing a starfish in the huge bed, I suddenly spotted a folded piece of paper on the bedside table.

Richard had left me a love note!

Sure enough, when I scrambled to a seating position and read it, my heart gave a little leap of excitement.

I’ve booked you a ticket for the Museum of Modern Art at 10am. Get a taxi there, then meet me at the top of the Empire State Building at midday. R xx P.S. Don’t be late!

I laughed out loud at that.

I’d told him I fancied going to the museum while he was busy at work, but meeting at the top of the Empire State Building was a complete surprise. So he reallyhadwatchedSleepless! He must have known I’d love the idea of us enacting a scene from the movie, and I felt touched to think of him planning it all in honour of my visit.

It was only eight o’clock, but I’d need to get going if I wanted to arrive at the museum for 10am. But I had time for breakfast at the cute bistro table in the kitchen before taking anotherrainforest shower and deep conditioning my hair. I put my hair up and wore my newest jeans and top – and of course my beautiful new diamond stud earrings.

My hand was shaking a little as I applied my mascara. But I reasoned that the roses in my cheeks from the excitement of the morning would more than make up for slightly less than perfect make-up.

I put in my earrings last of all, making a ceremony of it, and I swept my make-up and bits and pieces into a drawer so the place looked ultra-tidy again.

Then I smiled at myself in the mirror, grabbed my coat and bag, and left to find a taxi.

I enjoyed the museum and afterwards, I found I had ample time to get to the Empire State Building. I was ten minutes early as I took the lift to the top. But it was better to be early than late.

I wandered around the deck, pausing at intervals to admire the incredible view and constantly checking for Richard’s arrival. A feeling of exhilaration was making me feel quite breathless. I was on top of the world – quite literally! It was so exciting to think that I was meeting Richard right here, where thousands of other pairs of lovers must have met before, acting out their romantic fantasies. How many couples had actually got engaged right where I was standing now?

For myself, I wouldn’t really want to say yes in front of the tourists milling around. I’d much prefer to be somewhere private and more intimate when the man I loved got down on one knee. And I knew Richard would feel the same.

But it was still so romantic to be here, nonetheless...

---