‘We both have a lot to think about,’ Jake said. He gave me a sad smile. ‘I wish things were different.’

I didn’t know if he meant between us, or all this complicated work stuff, or both. And I didn’t want to hear the answer in case he didn’t think about us at all any more. I might have accepted things were over but if he regretted everything, that would hurt a lot.

‘You can always call me, Freya. I mean that,’ Jake added quietly. ‘I’ll see you soon.’ He headed off then, walking away slowly. I watched him go, thoroughly confused. He had been so harsh with me at the party and we’d both said things we couldn’t take back but now he seemed worried about me.

My phone rung then and I started walking in the opposite direction to Jake. I answered it without looking at the screen, assuming it would be Liv asking what happened at the meeting. I really didn’t want to tell her.

‘Freya, is that you?’ a man’s voice spoke.

‘Who’s this?’

‘Um… it’s Davis Mulberry. Please don’t hang up,’ he replied, adding the last bit hastily as I did almost do just that. ‘I persuaded the receptionist where you work to give me your number.’

‘What do you want?’ I asked dully, wondering if this day could get any worse.

He cleared his throat. ‘Freya, will you meet me for coffee? I have a proposition for you,’ he said, sounding a little bit less confident than he had in New York.

I snorted. ‘Are you serious? Listen, there is nothing to tell about me and Jake now…’ I began but he cut me off.

‘So, you admit that there was something to tell?’

I cringed at my slip-up, forgetting that I’d told Davis I had slapped Jake after the kiss in the lift he had seen.

‘It’s okay,’ he added, quickly before I could think of what to say. ‘This isn’t about you and Jake although I am curious…’

‘Whatever happened between us, it’s over now,’ I replied, firmly. ‘So, if you try to tell Hayley anything…’ I began, really hoping he wouldn’t do that.

‘I won’t,’ he said quickly. ‘I never actually would have; I was just trying to wind you both up.’

‘Nice,’ I replied. ‘Well, it worked; we are broken up for good. So, if you’re not going to threaten me again, why are you calling me?’ I carried on walking towards the office. The thought of going back to work and seeing Hayley again later wasn’t very appealing but I didn’t have any choice. Suddenly, the outfit that I’d previously felt super professional in felt restrictive and strange. I wondered if Jake was right that trying to be someone different wouldn’t work in the end or if I should just ignore his advice.

‘I need your help.’