Evie clicked out of messages, not expecting to hear back from him until later. But before she could place her phone back in her pocket, it vibrated in her palm.

Hugo ♥: Are you okay?? Will call in 2 xxx

Evie exhaled. When she answered his call, Hugo’s features filled the screen. He was wearing a light blue denim shirt and his hair looked freshly washed. He looked, as always, exquisite.

‘Hey,’ Evie said, suddenly self-conscious of her own comparably ragged appearance.

‘Evie, is everything okay?’

‘Yes, yes. I’m fine. Well sort of …’ she began, then told him about the strange encounter. Hugo’s face grew more and more concerned, his eyes creasing at the sides. When she finished recounting the details, his mouth was slightly agape, but he was silent.

Evie’s head pounded. ‘I’m sure it’s nothing but, well, who is she, Hugo? I’m a little worried.’

‘I can’t believe she would come to our home,’ he fumed.

‘You know her?’

‘Yes. I haven’t heard from her in months. I dated her just before I met you. I told you about her, I’m sure. We met at the writing course at Cambridge. But when I broke things off, she found it, well, hard to move on. I don’t know what was going through her head when she came over. I’m so sorry. She’s harmless, really. Just, well, heartbroken. I’ll call her and sort things out.’ Hugo looped his words together in an anxious flurry.

‘I thought Chloe was your casting agent’s assistant?’ Evie said.

‘What? No. God Evie, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there.’ Hugo transitioned from exasperated to calming all in one breath.

A scorned ex? Evie didn’t recall Hugo ever mentioning her in this context, but it did make sense. Chloe was clearly still hung-up on Hugo.

‘It’s okay, she seemed innocent enough. I just don’t particularly like people turning up uninvited …’

‘I’m so sorry, Evie. I’ll make sure it gets handled.’

‘Hugo, I really don’t remember you ever telling me about her.’

‘I’m sure I did. I probably just didn’t harp on about it. Why would I waste time thinking about the past, when I’m so swept up fawning over you? Speaking of, I can’t wait to see you when I’m back on Tuesday.’ His smile lit up the screen. ‘I’m sorry, baby, I really should run. I was meant to be at a signing—’ he glanced at his watch ‘—ten minutes ago. Liam’s going to kill me. I love you!’

‘Love you too,’ Evie replied.

And then he was gone.