‘That’s a relief.’ Jake looked behind us quickly as the lift doors opened. He took my hand and pulled me into the lift, leaning down to kiss my lips. Before I closed my eyes, something caught my attention in my peripheral vison. Someone was leaning against a wall in the lobby looking in our direction. I caught the glimpse of a smile but I was too distracted by the thought of being with Jake to take too much notice. The lift doors started to slide shut and Jake pulled me closer, his kiss making me forget all about the person watching us.

34

I fell asleep quickly and easily in Jake’s arms and we dozed together until my phone alarm went off to remind us we needed to get ready for the end of conference dinner and party.

Jake snuck out of my room with a quick goodbye kiss without us having any time to talk. So, I had no idea if he would want to see me once we left New York. I got ready and tried not to think about it, but he was on my mind more than I cared to admit. I hadn’t really experienced thinking about someone quite this much. It was distracting.

I looked at myself in the mirror and realised I had forgotten to use mascara and then I put my dress on backwards before correcting myself. I kept wondering if I was on Jake’s mind too. How did you know if someone was feeling the same things that you were? It was mildly terrifying to suddenly want a man as much as I now wanted him. I had told Liv and Tessa I was being careful but every moment with Jake made that a hard promise to keep.

There was a knock on my door, drawing me out of my head. I went over to answer it and was rewarded with Jake standing there wearing another slick, black suit, and looking exactly like he was doing a James Bond audition later. ‘Shall we go to the dinner together? We are sitting at the same table so it won’t surprise anyone to walk in with one another, right?’ He gave me his charming smile and I was powerless to resist.

‘I suppose it would make sense,’ I replied, smiling back. ‘Let me put my shoes on,’ I said, walking back to the bed and sitting down. I knew everyone would be glammed up tonight so I’d brought a fancy outfit with me for the occasion: a silver dress with black shoes and matching bag. I had left my hair loose but added a sparkly hair clip on one side.

Jake edged in slightly. ‘You look stunning, Freya,’ he said in a low voice.

I glanced up. ‘Even though I’m not in your favourite sundress and boots combo?’

‘You know I love you in that but honestly, you look good in everything.’