Page 45 of One Night in Edinburgh

On hearing this, I’m even more consumed with lust than before. I feel an animalistic urge to be close to Jamie, to feel every part of his amazing body against mine. He slips off his own jacket and before we know it, we’re pulling each other’s clothes off, unable to wait a second longer to be properly reunited.

Next morning, I wake before Jamie and go through to the living room, where Connor’s also up, dressed and eating breakfast at the dining table.

‘Good night, last night?’ He raises an eyebrow at me.

‘Oh no, you didn’t hear us, did you?’ I feel myself blush.

‘No, you’re fine. I slept like a baby. Was referring to your moment of triumph in finally finding your man. Tell me everything.’

I fill Connor in on my evening with Jamie while I make myself a cup of tea.

‘Poor Sean.’ He muses. ‘No way he’s getting that second date now.’

‘I know.’ I cringe. ‘I sent him a message to say I didn’t think us going out again was a good idea after all and he didn’t reply. He must hate me.’

‘I’m sure he doesn’t. It’s probably just wounded pride. He’s probably hitting the app again already.’

‘All right, Connor.’ I take a seat next to him at the table with my tea. ‘I don’t want the guy to be heartbroken, but I also don’t want to bethatforgettable.’

‘Sorry. You’re right.’ He bites into a slice of toast before continuing. ‘So, what’s the deal with Jamie now you guys have hooked up?’

‘I… um… I don’t know actually. But I’m going to try and arrange another date with him before he leaves today.’

‘That is – if he does leave here today.’ Connor flashes his eyebrows at me, an impish grin on his face. ‘I’m off to my mum’s once I’ve eaten this. Helping her build some flat-pack furniture she ordered, then we’re having dinner later, so you’ll have the place to yourself.’

‘Aww, I love your mum’s food.’ I feel a pang of envy. ‘Tell her I said hi.’

‘I will. You should come with me to see her sometime. She’d love to cook for you. Think she misses you.’

‘That would be great. Maybe I could bring Jamie to meet her. How cool would that be? Introducing my new bloke to my ex’s mum.’

A fleeting look crosses Connor’s face.

‘What was that?’ I narrow my eyes at him.

‘What was what?’

‘That look. You reacted to what I said.’

‘No, I didn’t.’

‘Yes, you did. Tell me, Connor.’

He screws up his face in discomfort. ‘OK, but don’t go off on one.’ Connor lowers his voice. ‘It was the assumption you made there, Stephy. About Jamie coming to meet my mum. Don’t you think it’s a bit soon to be thinking that way? I mean, you’ve only just reconnected with the guy, and, while I’m sure the sex is good—’

‘Connor.’

‘Oh, come on, you’ve been sleeping with a closet gay man for nearly a decade. It must be bloody explosive.’

‘It is pretty damn good,’ I admit with a shrug of agreement.

‘There you go. Which means you’re blinded by lust. You need to remember that you don’t know Jamie. You’ve only spent a few hours in his company – and you must have spent at least some of that time sleeping.’

‘True. Though we didn’t sleep much,’ I add with a twinkle in my eye.

‘I can imagine.’ Connor looks like he doesn’t want to hear the details. ‘He did disappear for weeks without getting in contact, Stephy, just remember that. He did know where you lived.’

‘I already explained why. I know you’re not going to trust him straight away, Connor – you need to check people out. But I feel like I can. I sense he’s a good guy. It’s like we’re aligned somehow.’

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