‘Maybe that’s why he’s here, though: to wind you up,’ I suggested, hoping he wasn’t going to let Davis do just that.

‘Oh, he lives for it,’ Jake said bitterly. He turned and must have seen the anxious look on my face. He sighed. ‘But no, I won’t back out of the panel – I need to do it, I know that. And Davis has already almost ruined… everything. I can’t let him ruin this too. Goodnight, Freya.’ With those parting words, he let himself into his room, disappeared inside and shut the door.

I stood there for a second, confused, before walking into my own room. I discarded my bag and heels and flopped on the bed. What with the crazy journey here and that event, I was now exhausted. And more nervous than ever about the start of the conference in the morning. Because Jake was being watched by everyone, and now it seemed his rival could make things even more difficult. I grabbed my phone and sent an email to Hayley asking what was going on between Jake and Davis Mulberry because I needed to be prepared. Jake had two events tomorrow – the podcast interview and his panel with Davis. And I wasn’t sure if we could make it through them in one piece.

After I sent the email, I got up to get ready for bed. I glanced at myself in the bathroom mirror as I went to take my make-up off and I couldn’t help but allow myself a little smile as I remembered Jake taking in my dress, his eyes trailing down my body with a hint of approval in them. I bit my lip as I thought about how he looked in that suit. We had looked good walking in that room together. Not that we had been together, of course, but still.

My phone vibrated then and I checked the reply from Hayley, who kept her phone with her at all times and replied even from her bed.

Davis Mulberry was the author Jake was talking to when the journalist heard him slagging off romance books. They have been rivals for years, and I think Davis was winding him up about writing romance. I knew Jake would have turned down this trip knowing Davis was attending, so I kept it from him because this conference is his only shot at repairing the damage from that article. Just keep them at arm’s length, Freya, and it’ll be fine.

I read the email twice before sighing and putting my phone down. I had an uneasy feeling that Hayley had made a mistake in agreeing to Jake and Davis being on this panel together. And if it did end up going badly tomorrow, I’d have to pick up the pieces. I had no idea how to keep the two men at arm’s length when they were due to spend an hour discussing books together.