Page 47 of One Night in Edinburgh

‘OK, my confidence did waver after a while, I’ll admit.’

‘It did more than waver. You gave up hope. Don’t pretend otherwise.’

‘All right, I did, but it came good. Jamie’s back in my life, and I’m super smitten.’ I punctuate this statement by waltzing round in my desk chair with a broad grin.

‘You’ve certainly got that smug I’ve-been-laid-by-the-world’s-hottest-man glow about you.’

‘Anna.’ I throw her a stern look and glance towards the office door.

‘What?’ She holds up her hands in a questioning gesture. ‘No one’s gonna walk in. Lizzie’s stopping by the venue for the fundraiser on her way in this morning to make sure all the operational elements are coming together. How are the prize donations doing, by the way?’

‘Great actually. We now have more than thirty high-value items, and Lizzie left me a note to say Mrs Carmichael has another one for us. I’ve said I’ll pop over soon as I get a chance.’

‘Ha, I bet she bought something else just so she could lure you over for tea and biscuits.’

‘So what if she has.’ I shrug. ‘It’s all harmless.Oh– get this – that new boutique hotel up by the Playhouse has donated a two-night stay in one of their suites – with dinner and a wine-tasting package on both nights, as well as an afternoon in the kitchen with their pastry chef. How good is that?’

‘Oh wow, that’s amazeballs. Bet you wish you were allowed to bet on that. You and lover boy could have a right bonk fest there.’

‘I was about to tell you off for being crass again, but you’ve given me an idea.’

‘Which is?’

‘For Jamie and I to go on a mini-break together.’ My eyes glaze over dreamily. ‘Somewhere secluded, out of the city… a roaring fireplace and a bar. My apartment is fine and all, but Connor does live there, too.’

‘Why don’t you just go to Jamie’s place? Have you seen it yet?’

‘Slow down,’ I tut at her. ‘We’ve only just got back in touch.’

‘Says the woman who already wants to go on a mini-break with him. I bet you’re even thinking about asking him to be your plus one at the fundraiser.’ She eyes me suspiciously and my cheeks redden, giving me away. ‘Iknewit. You’re such a saddo.’

‘I’m not a saddo. When you know, you know, Anna.’

‘Whatever. I recommend you see his pad before thinking any further ahead. What if he lives like a minger and has smut all over his walls?’

I frown at this statement. ‘I highly doubt that will be the case. He clearly takes care of himself. You’ve met him. You saw.’

‘You never know.’ Anna puts her reusable takeaway cup down on her desk and wanders round to mine. ‘Some of the guys I’ve dated have been well turned out, but their places have been utter shitholes. So…when are you seeing him next?’

I avoid her laser stare. This is the question I’ve been dreading. Anna’s like a sniffer dog on speed, and I don’t want her going off down the wrong trail with this one.

‘I… eh… I don’t know. I’m waiting for him to get in touch.’

‘What? Why?’ she asks. ‘You should text him. That’s not being too keen, as long as you keep it light and flirty.’

Oh, please don’t go down this route, Anna.

‘He’ll be in touch.’ I smile sweetly at her. ‘I know it. Just have to be patient.’

‘No, you don’t. If he’s a good guy he’ll be pleased to hear from you whether it’s five minutes or five hours since you last saw him. Text him now. It’ll be a good test of his character.’

I hesitate, unsure how to manage Anna’s persistence. Unfortunately, she reads me like an attention-seeking post on social media.

‘You don’t have his number.’

‘Not exactly.’ I wince, suddenly interested in what’s on the computer screen in front of me.

‘Why the bleep not?’

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