‘I wasn’t trying for heat. And I’m not just trying to move back into your flat either. You and I make a superb team. And I love you, by the way. I always will. Scarlett, you need to be honest with yourself. You’re never going to be strong enough for most hospital work. The Gibber’s Creek Hospital will make allowances for you. It’s unlikely any other hospital will. You have only two feasible career choices — the life of a country GP, with an assistant perhaps for the work you can’t do, or research. And you would make a brilliant researcher. Research is where the money is too.’

‘What if I want both? Research and general practice?’

He crossed over and dropped a kiss on her hair. ‘You can’t have both. You know that.’

And she did know it, though she hadn’t realised till then that Alex still loved her. What was love anyway? Her feelings for William and Alex were entirely different, and yet both were love.

It was time she admitted that to herself.

And it was her choice. Had always been her choice, even though she hadn’t realised it. But she had realised that she wanted her first sexual experience to be with a man who loved her passionately, and with passion. And that would not be Alex.

She could see when he realised it too. Alex Romanov knew her so very well. He crossed back to the stove, poured out two coffees, handed her one, then sat, sipping. ‘If you decide to sleep with William, I’ll still be waiting.’

‘Sweetly celibate?’

He smiled slightly. ‘No. But one day you are going to be bored with William Ryan. And I will be here. Besides, you love me too.’

Arrogant, impossible, brilliant Alex. No, there would never be anyone else like Alex Romanov in her life.

He put down his coffee cup. ‘I’d better be out of here before William gets back . . .’

‘What . . . what if he doesn’t come back?’

Alex gestured to the bookcase. ‘He’s left his wallet.’

‘He might hitchhike home. Or . . .’ She tried not to think what else he might do. William Ryan had been close to a breakdown after the inquest, clinically depressed. Even the uni degree he’d longed for was a struggle — one that she knew from experience would be easier after the first year, but he didn’t understand that. If he thought he’d jeopardised his relationship with her — that she’d laugh at him or, worse, feel sorry for him, tell him tactfully it would be better if he no longer shared this flat, took away the friendship that had not just given him stability but hope . . .

William wouldn’t do anything stupid. Would he?

Alex bent and kissed her hair. ‘He’ll be right.’ He met her eyes again. ‘We’re two of a kind, Scarlett, in all the ways that count. I’ll see you tomorrow.’