I nodded eagerly. New York was definitely a bucket list city for me. I was convinced I’d watched every film or TV show set there, and read every book that used it as a location, so it was somewhere I’d always wanted to see for myself. Excitement pumped through my blood at the thought of it. And not only would this be a trip that work would be paying for; it was for five whole days! ‘I would love to go.’

‘It’s a very overrated city,’ Jake said, leaning back in his chair and folding his arms across his chest like he was bored with our conversation.

I decided to ignore that comment and not let him dampen my good mood. ‘What do you need me to do there?’ I asked then, thrilled Hayley’s sister was getting married so she had to send me instead of going herself. I couldn’t believe she’d almost cancelled going to her sister’s wedding but then again, she was a self-confessed workaholic so it wasn’t a huge surprise.

‘I’ve managed to get Jake onto the programme of the Romance Readers Club’s international conference. It’s a chance to show readers and Jake’s publishers that he still loves romance, that he will always be one of the genre’s biggest players, and that the article…’ she said, her voice bitter on the word, ‘was incorrect. So, I need you to go with Jake and help us to do just that.’

My mouth fell open but no words came out. I would be going to New York with Jake? Suddenly, the trip didn’t seem like the dream come true it had a few moments ago.

‘I have told Hayley I’m unconvinced this will work,’ Jake said then.

‘Nonsense,’ Hayley said, waving her hand dismissively. ‘Of course it will work. You will charm everyone there and they will forget all about the article.’

I couldn’t stop the snort that left my mouth. I tried to turn it into a cough but I’m not sure I pulled it off.