When I returned from the bathroom mildly fresher looking after fixing my hair and make-up and blotting the sweat off my body, Jake was at a table in the corner. He looked the epitome of calm, sipping black coffee and reading a newspaper.

I took a deep breath and walked over to the refreshment area, and grabbed myself a coffee and a sandwich and then reluctantly went to join him. ‘That could have been a meet-cute,’ I blurted out as I slid into the chair opposite him.

His eyes left the newspaper and slid to me. ‘I’m sorry?’

‘Like in one of your books,’ I said, inwardly telling myself to stop talking but I was somehow unable to. ‘You know, a woman falls to the floor in front of you, then you help her up and then the two of you fall in…’ I stumbled under his piercing gaze. I let out a nervous laugh when he said nothing, further mortification rolling over me. I waved my hand. ‘Never mind. Let’s just hope the rest of this trip is uneventful,’ I said, hoping he couldn’t see how red my face was again. I grabbed the coffee cup and took a long gulp even though it was too hot to enjoy doing so.

‘Quite,’ he replied coolly, going back to his newspaper like I was an irritating fly.

I leaned back in the chair and pulled out my phone, cringing at myself. So much for being less intimidated by Jake. Now I was back in front of him, I was worse than ever. It was like the more embarrassing I was, the more composed he became. It was bloody annoying. I kind of longed to see what would happen if that coolness cracked for a minute. I wondered if I would ever be able to witness it.

I sent Liv a panicked message, knowing her flight was a couple of hours later than ours.

Yet again, I have made a fool of myself in front of Jake. How do I salvage the situation?

Liv replied instantly.

Focus on the fact you are there to help save his career. He needs you. You have the upper hand! Enjoy first class, future literary agent…

I read her message twice then put my phone away, and cleared my throat. She was right. The key was focusing on the reason why we were here together and heading to New York, and not how much I had made a fool of myself in front of this man. I tried to adjust my face into an expression that would show how capable I was. Fake it until you make it and all that. ‘So, should we discuss our strategy for this week?’ I asked, straightening in a vain attempt to look as tall as him.

Jake sighed but put the newspaper down. ‘Hayley sent me a long email yesterday all about it.’