Hell yeah, I replied as I headed back inside to the kitchen to work out what I might need to create an amazing celebratory dinner and came face to face with the mess of my tiling. Whoops, in my excitement I’d totally forgotten about the state of the kitchen.

I tapped out another message to Dan: Change of plans. Can I cook dinner at your house again instead?

Half an hour later, Dan still hadn’t replied, but I knew he wouldn’t mind, so after a phone call to tell Hayley my news, I was writing my shopping list when I heard the front door open.

Seconds later the man himself appeared holding a bottle of expensive champagne in one hand and a bunch of slightly droopy orange flowers in the other.

‘You’re a few hours early,’ I said, leaping to my feet and kissing him hello. ‘Not that I’m complaining.’

‘I knocked off work the moment I got your message. News of your awesomeness required congratulations in person.’ He thrust the bouquet towards me. ‘Sorry. They were all the general store had, but I promise where the flowers lack, I more than made up for with this.’

Before I could tell him that this was the most perfect bunch of flowers anyone had ever given me, he popped the cork on the bubbles.

Charlie growled and I raised an eyebrow. ‘Shouldn’t we wait for Jedda?’

‘I’m sure she’ll bring her own bottle. Now, where are your glasses?’

‘I still haven’t got any,’ I said, producing two coffee mugs. ‘Will these do?’

Dan nodded. ‘But remind me to buy you some as a shack-warming gift,’ he said, filling both mugs to the brim.

‘Hey,’ I objected. ‘If I drink all that I might not have the wherewithal to make dinner.’

‘Let’s worry about that later,’ he said, before stooping and capturing my mouth with his.

Pretty soon the mugs were discarded, and we were making our way to my bedroom, bits of clothing strewn across the floor in our wake.

‘You know how us Yanks celebrate success?’ he asked as we tumbled onto the bed. He’d been emailing lots with his new-found sister and jokingly practising his American accent.

‘No.’ I laughed, but I had a feeling I was about to find out.

‘Is that really how the Americans celebrate?’ I asked Dan half an hour later, my body thoroughly played.

‘I think it’s how everyone should celebrate,’ he replied with a wink, just as my phone started ringing from somewhere in the kitchen.

I groaned.

‘Don’t answer it,’ Dan said, sliding his hand between my legs.

I squeezed them together in an aim to resist, but I was a lost cause. Where Dan was concerned my libido had no end. I closed my eyes as I lay back on the pillow and gave myself over to the feeling as the phone grew silent.