Nick observed her reaction with interest. Why had her face suddenly turned a vivid shade of red? Why was she stumbling over her words?

And then it dawned on him.Of course!Her last Saturday off must have beenthatSaturday. The day they’d met at the wedding. The day she’d walked into his life and given his world a thorough shaking, before exiting it just as quickly. Which would explain why she was acting like a cat on hot bricks.

Okay.He scratched his head absently as he worked through his thoughts, the clink of crockery in the background as Brogan made the tea. Would now be a good time to bring it up? he wondered. Get it out in the open instead of tiptoeing around it like it had never happened? It really was a bizarre set of circumstances they’d found themselves in. If somebody else had told him this had happened to them he’d think it couldn’t be true, that they’d embellished their story. The thought of what his brother had said when Nick had called him the other day crossed his mind. He’d wanted to run the situation by Matt, valuing his opinion, knowing he would tell it how it is.

‘So, Nick, let me get this straight, you met a girl – who, by the way, you think is very probably your soulmate, aka “TheOne”– at a wedding where you were both last minute guests?’ Matt had asked.

‘Yep, that’s right.’

‘Then you took her back to your room where you had the best sex you’veeverhad in your life?’

‘Pretty much sums it up.’It was mind-blowing!

‘But she sneaks off before you can get her number or find out where she lives?’

‘Yes.’

‘Cruel.’

‘I was gutted.’Couldn’t get her out of my mind.

‘Understandable. Then, at the last minute, you switch your job, she switches her job, and you both find yourselves – totally and utterly by chance, which you believe to be fate – starting work at theverysamesurgery on theverysameday?’

‘We did! It’s definitely fate. We were meant to meet again, without a doubt.’

‘Oh, come on, mate! Pull the other one, it’s got bells on.’

‘I’m telling you, it’s true! It’s way more than a coincidence, surely you can see that.’

‘Really? Oh, and did you say, the house you were renting flooded so she invited you to stay with her even though you’ve only know each other for what, five minutes?’

‘I know it sounds crazy, but it honestly feels like I’ve know her for ages; we’ve got this amazing connection and I’ve never felt as happy as I do when I’m with her. I just love being around her.’

‘What about the feelings you had for Loretta?’

‘They don’t even come close. The way I feel about Brogan, I can honestly say, I’ve never felt this way about another woman before. I’m in love with her, Matt. Madly and deeply.’

‘That’s beautiful but can you quit with the mush before you have me weeping soppy tears.’

‘It’s not funny! You’ve got to take me seriously!’

‘Sorry, bro, good story, but it sounds like a cheesy chick flick to me, or a load of old bollocks.’

‘Thanks,’ Nick had said despondently.

‘No probs. Can I ask, does she know you feel this way?’

‘I… er, I think so.’

‘Youthinkso? You don’t know for sure?’

‘No.’

‘Then don’t you think you should find out?’

‘I suppose so.’

‘Good luck, mate. I’ll be rooting for you.’