I shook myself out of my trance and glanced at my phone. ‘Yes, the car has arrived – it’s waiting for us outside. I’ll see you back in the office then, Hayley,’ I said, my heart sinking at the thought of having to go to this meeting with them both. I kind of hoped I wouldn’t have to see Jake for a long time once we were back in London. No such luck.

Hayley just nodded then went back to working on her laptop.

I glanced awkwardly at Jake. ‘Okay then.’

‘We should go,’ he replied.

‘Yep,’ I said and I set off for the hotel doors, feeling Jake close behind me. My body felt so attuned to him after all the intimate time we’d spent together. It seemed so strange to feel so distant from him now.

Outside, the driver of our car took our bags and then held the door open. I slid across the leather seat and Jake sat beside me, instantly pulling out his phone. So, I turned to look out of the window, wishing his scent wasn’t as appealing as it was. We set off for the airport and the journey reminded me of the one here. I had planned to be super professional with Jake. That had failed completely but I was determined to not fail this time. I didn’t want him to think I was at all bothered by what had happened. Was this a little bit childish? Perhaps. But we needed to go back to how we used to be otherwise Hayley was going to smell a rat, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to let him derail my career now.

As we drove out of the city, my heart felt heavy with having to leave New York. I had loved being here. I wished it wasn’t now tainted with memories of me and Jake but I vowed I’d return one day and replace them with better ones. I watched as the skyscrapers rolled past the window; the morning sun was just becoming visible in gaps between the imposing buildings, casting a pale glow over the city. Jake had dulled my shine at seeing New York on the way here with his grumpy attitude, and now beside me again, he was doing exactly the same thing. And it pissed me off.

Jake cleared his throat then. ‘How do you feel about Hayley wanting you at this meeting?’

Involuntarily, my head turned around. He was looking at me and the sudden eye contact made my breath hitch.

‘I know things are…’ For a second, his confidence seemed to fail him and he trailed off before clearing his throat again. ‘But it would be good for your career, wouldn’t it?’