‘Ran off and ignored me for a week.’ I didn’t normally use humour as a defence mechanism but I couldn’t help myself. I needed to lighten things up. I needed to think.

Sam smiled and the twinkle in his eyes set my stomach fizzing.

‘Yes, an explanation as to why I ran off and ignored you for a week like the idiot I am. I would love nothing more than to take you out on a date and to kiss you goodnight and see where this takes us. I do, however, realise I’m not the only one who’s been hurt. Just because I’m ready, it doesn’t mean that you are and, even if you were, it doesn’t mean I’m the one for you either.’ He released a deep breath and looked at me hopefully. ‘So there it is. Cards on the table.’

I nibbled on my thumbnail, wondering how to respond.

Sam stood up. ‘How about another drink?’

‘Yes please!’

‘You won’t run away while I’m at the bar, will you? A kind of revenge scarper?’

I smiled. ‘It’s tempting, but another pint of that Gunpowder Plot is even more tempting so I promise to stay put. Besides, running away is your speciality, Dr Jones. Your superhero superpower perhaps?’

‘Ooh, harsh. But fair.’

While Sam weaved through the revellers towards the bar, I downed the remnants of my pint. Wow! I had completely not seen that coming, even after Leah had suggested he had the hots for me. I’d thought it was just a moment of attraction that was worth exploring – not a case of him actually falling for me. How had I missed it? Probably because I just assumed that he was grieving for Nikki and would continue to do so for a long time, so there was no way he’d want to move on.

I watched him leaning on the bar. He was side-on to me and must have registered that he was being watched because he turned round and gave me the most dazzling smile. My stomach flipped again and I quickly looked away. When I turned back, Sam was placing his order. I drank him in and, for the first time, it struck me that he wasn’t just easy on the eye as I’d originally thought; he was seriously hot. He was certainly attracting admiring looks from several women. After what happened with Scott, could I risk letting anyone in again? And so soon? I was still grieving the loss of my fiancé, friend, and future. Was I ready for a new future? With Sam?

‘Another Gunpowder Plot.’ Sam handed me the fresh pint. ‘I went for the same as you this time.’

‘Sam, I—’

‘You don’t have to say anything.’