“No, it does matter. I wanted you to come because since meeting you, I’ve… I felt… I enjoyed your company and I was nervous about going on my own. I knew if you were there with me, it was going to be OK.”

“That’s very kind of you to”

“I’m actually jealous of whoever the dad is.”

“Sorry?”

Scott suddenly looks extremely sober.

“I wish you were my proper date tonight.”

I can’t speak. I should be angry with him. When the lift doors open and I step inside, Scott stays where he is so long I think the doors are going to close. My heart gives a weird thump and I leap forwards to press the button to keep the doors open.

“Get in, Scott,” I snap.

He enters the lift, presses himself into the corner and hangs his head like a disgraced toddler.

I wait for the doors to close.

“That was out of line,” I whisper.

“I know.”

“You’re drunk, Scott. Tomorrow, you’ll probably have no memory of this at all.”

Scott looks up, his hair once again infuriatingly across his face.

“It’s possible,” he mutters.

Oh, to hell with it. He’s too goddamn cute for his own good.

“So you’ll probably forget about this, too.”

I cross over to Scott, put a hand on his cheek, lean in and kiss him on the lips. He responds immediately, his hand flying around my waist, pulling me closer, his lips pressing into mine. My heart is pumping so loudly, it pounds in my ears.

The lift pings and I pull away, even though my body is screaming for me to stay.

“Goodnight, Scott.”

“Trish, wait”

“Thanks for a fun night.”

Then I race down the hallway. If he follows me, I have no idea what I’ll do. Reaching my door, I hold my breath for a few seconds before glancing back towards the lift. There’s no one there.

10

“How was Tokyo?” Emma asks, spreading a thick layer of cream cheese icing on the carrot cake before her.

A blob falls off the palate knife onto the bench and I swipe it up with my finger and deposit it in my mouth.

“It was OK,” I mutter. “That’s damn good icing, by the way.”

“Did you manage to do anything other than work? Please tell me you at least ate one meal outside the hotel restaurant.”

“Actually, I went to a wedding.”

Emma freezes mid-spread. “You what?”

“It’s a long story.”

Emma continues to smooth out the icing.

“Well, since we aren’t due at your scan for another half an hour, I’m going to cut you a slice of this beauty and you can sit down and tell me everything.”