Page 46 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘I see. And your destiny is written in the stars?’ He throws me a sarcastic look.

‘Oh, bugger off. You want it on a logical level. Fine. He’s successful and financially solid from the sounds of things, which means my family would love him.’

‘That’s not even remotely on the list of criteria I want him to meet. That’s your own insecurity coming through. I want you to be able to say he’s loyal, dependable, and he’ll take care of you, like you will him. None of which you can confirm until you know him a lot better.’

‘You’re so frustrating, Connor.’ I sip at my tea distractedly. ‘Can you not at least give him points for getting back in touch and being an amiable guy?’

He smiles at me as he clears away his breakfast dishes. ‘All I’m saying, is be careful and don’t invest too much in this too soon. You haven’t had the dating experience that most other people have had by your age – neither have I. You are sweet and innocent, and that makes you a bit vulnerable.’

‘You mean I’m naive.’

‘That’s not what I said.’

‘But it’s what you mean.’ I eyeball him accusingly.

‘No.I do admit I’m probably a bit overprotective though.’

‘A bit?’

‘What are you two bickering about?’

We’re immediately silenced, looking like pair of toddlers who’ve raided the biscuit tin as Jamie enters the room, wearing only his jeans. He shakes out his T-shirt and pulls it over his toned body, and I have to stifle a giggle as I notice both Connor and I are momentarily mesmerised by this.

‘Oh… eh… nothing, really.’ I force my face back to a neutral expression. ‘Apartment stuff. You know how it is.’

‘I do.’ Jamie raises an inquisitive eyebrow, which tells me he doesn’t believe me for a second. ‘You sounded like an old married couple from the other room. You sure you’ve split up?’

I glance at Connor, unsure what his reaction will be to Jamie’s sense of humour, but he seems fine with it.

‘Sometimes I wonder myself,’ Connor quips. ‘Anyway, I’m headed out, so I’ll leave you two in peace. Have a good one.’

‘You too,’ I call after him as he leaves the room.

Moments later, the apartment door opens and closes, signalling his departure.

‘So… we have the place to ourselves…’ Jamie approaches me and slips his arms around my waist.

‘We do indeed.’ I reach up on my tiptoes and plant a smacking kiss on his lips. ‘How ever shall we make the most of it?’

‘I have an idea.’ Jamie’s eyes glint mischievously. ‘How about we devour some coffee and hot buttered toast?’

I look at him and laugh. ‘That wasn’t what I was expecting at all.’

‘Oh, yeah? And where was that lewd mind of yours headed?’

‘Let’s just say I was expecting you to talk about devouring something else.’

‘Well, as you asked so nicely…’ He suddenly scoops me up and carries me back to the bedroom, where we enjoy a delicious pre-breakfast workout.

Chapter 15

‘I still can’t believe that bonkers plan of yours paid off.’ Anna surveys me over the top her computer screen while sipping at her takeaway coffee.

It’s Monday morning and I’m back at work – although there’s not much working going on, because it’s Anna’s first opportunity to interrogate me face to face about the weekend’s events. There’s no way she’s letting that pass.

‘I never doubted for a moment that my plan would work.’ I assume a casual expression and fiddle with the stationery on my desk.

‘Well, that’s a massive pile of BS if I’ve ever heard one.’ She gives me an appraising look.

---