Page 44 of One Night in Edinburgh

I’m expecting us to wander off the breakwater path and straight through the main door to my building, when Jamie unexpectedly stops, looking uncertain.

‘What’s up?’ I cock my head like a springer spaniel. ‘This isn’t part of the whole re-creating New Year thing, is it? I know we had the “will we, won’t we” shenanigans going on that night, but I think we’ve established hours ago that you’re coming home with me tonight.’

‘I know.’

‘Then what’s the problem?’

He doesn’t answer immediately – just looks shifty and uncomfortable – and stares out across the estuary of the River Forth to the twinkling lights of Fife.

‘Are you sure your ex will be OK with this?’ he asks eventually.

‘Yes. Connor and I have talked about this.’ I laugh, finding this little show quite endearing.

Jamie continues to stand there, looking unsure, which causes me to sober up instantly.

‘Jamie, is there something else going on? Because I’m sensing that Connor isn’t the sum total of whatever’s going on here. Are you having second thoughts about us?’

He looks at me and seems to come round from his indecision.

‘No.Definitely not. I’m… I like you a lot, Steph, more than you realise. Forget I said anything.’ His eyes lock on mine leaving me in no doubt that he’s being sincere.

‘You’re not… nervous then… are you? About… you know…’

‘Uh… no, it’s not that… I want to get this right is all. Maybe I’m concerned about us rushing things and messing it up.’

I take in his face, etched with concern, and all I feel is a rush of empathy and strength of feeling for him. ‘Oh, you’re so adorable. But it’s fine. Not like we haven’t already shared a bed, is it?’

‘I guess not. I’m obviously overthinking this. Let’s go inside.’

He follows me into the building, and we take the lift to the fifth floor, where I unlock my apartment door and we creep inside, careful not to wake Connor. Unfortunately, Connor’s bedroom light is on and he emerges fully clothed the second we close the door behind us.

‘Stephy, I’ve been waiting up for you. How was… oh, hello…’ He gives me a look of ‘the big reunion clearly went well’, which I return with a sly grin.

‘Connor, this is Jamie.’

A broad smile spreads across Connor’s face. ‘So this istheJamie. The guy you haven’t stopped jabbering on about for the last eight weeks?’

‘OK, I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration.’ My face starts to flame.

‘Jamie, good to meet you.’ Connor reaches out to shake Jamie’s hand. ‘And I’m not exaggerating at all. She’s been a nightmare.’

‘Is that right?’ Jamie looks highly amused and quite pleased by this.

‘Totally. I’m just glad that crazy plan of hers finally paid off.’ Connor clocks the daggers I’m sending him. ‘Anyway, great to meet you. Maybe see you in the morning.’

He retreats into his bedroom, but not without a final glance at me that says, ‘I want to knoweverythingtomorrow’. I respond with an almost invisible nod, then usher Jamie into my room before Connor can re-emerge and do any more damage.

‘So, that was Connor. Still think he’s in love with me?’ I cheekily ask Jamie.

‘No, I do not. He was… more than OK with this, it seems.’ Jamie approaches me and unzips my coat, then discards it on the floor. ‘Which is good news for me, I guess.’

‘Told you. And about what you said before… we can take things at any speed you’re comfortable with.’

‘Thanks… I appreciate that. I really want to do this right, Steph. You’re not the only one who’s spent the last couple of months feeling you’ve lost out on something great.’

‘You did?’ I look up at him with wide eyes.

‘Of course! I was there that night at New Year, too. It was incredible. I even came round this way a couple of times in the hope I’d bump into you, but no such luck.’

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