Instead, all she had was a feeling like she was drowning. Like this wasn’t her beautiful life anymore.

Two months ago, she’d have been dancing through her office at this news. She’d have been revelling in the responsibility, excited for the challenge.

But now? Now all she saw ahead were late-night conference calls when she should be sleeping. Unnecessary stress. More commitment to a job she’d never truly wanted in the first place.

Plus, more plane travel, with nobody to hold her hand.

Not like Jordan had.

That’s what all this came back to, didn’t it? Jordan.

Neil was still waiting for an answer.

Abby didn’t care about Neil. But she nodded anyway. “Of course. Totally. Buck stops with me.”

Now Neil was getting up. Was he going to hug her? He was. Oh god. Neil was so nice. She let him hug her. His aftershave really was overpowering.

He opened the office door, and motioned for her to go first.

She was greeted by a bang, then another, as streamers burst into the air.

Abby screamed, clutching her chest. She hated surprises.

Her whole office was staring at her, though, so she had to change her face into a smile. It took a few moments, but she made it happen.

It wasn’t easy.

Because there on her desk sat a large flat cake covered in white icing and sparkles, with the words ‘Congratulations!’ iced in pink on the top. Someone had also stuck a photo of her and Marcus to her monitor. The one of them taken at New Year last year. She had red eyes from drinking too much. Her chair was covered in shiny red love hearts, and next to the cake was a card. A wedding card. No doubt signed by everyone. With perhaps a voucher for John Lewis or Selfridges inside.

She bit the inside of her cheek. Emotion bubbled up inside her.

When did her life turn into this? The same week she was getting married, she also got a promotion.

The trouble was, she didn’t want either of them.

Abby sniffed, then wiped her face with the back of her hand.

Her cheeks were wet.

Oh shit. She was crying in her office.

What the actual fuck?

“Oh Abby! I hope those are tears of joy!” That was her office manager, Maisy.

Abby nodded. “Of course!” she replied. “Cake always makes me cry!”

Neil’s arm came back around her shoulder and he squeezed. “We thought this was the perfect moment. You’re heading up our big project and you’re getting married. This is a perfect time in your life. So congratulations seemed apt.” He looked around the team who were all beaming. “Let’s give Abby a round of applause for being fantastic!”

The applause was deafening.

Abby was still crying.

Chapter 25