‘That means a lot to me that you think so,’ he said softly.

‘I only wish loving books was enough for this job. This conference is showing me that maybe Hayley has the right idea in treating it just as a business. Maybe I listen to my heart too much,’ I said, biting my lip.

Jake’s eyes narrowed in on my lip before moving back to meet my gaze again. ‘I wish you wouldn’t put yourself down,’ Jake told me. ‘I like that you listen to your heart.’

‘You do?’ I felt a sudden spark of electricity from his eye contact. It travelled down my spine right down to my toes.

‘I wish I could do the same.’

I wished he could too but I was too scared to say it. Instead, I exhaled shakily and cleared my throat. ‘What now?’

‘Can I show you a place here that I love?’ Jake asked.

I nodded. ‘I’d love to see it.’ We broke our eye contact and started to walk out of the park but I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if Jake had felt the same spark I had. It was too crazy to think he would have done though so I tried to push it to the back of my mind, but my body felt its effects the whole way.

* * *

‘Wow, this place is amazing…’ I said, walking across the rooftop in shock. Not only was the bar and pool area of the members’ club Jake had taken me to cool, but the view beyond it was incredible. I stepped towards the glass wall that encircled the rooftop and came up to my waist. Beyond it, New York was laid out in front of me, sparkling with light and life.

‘This view,’ I gasped. The cool breeze ruffled my hair as I looked down at the city. The sun was starting to dip now, making me realise we’d spent a lot of time together today. Soon, we’d see a beautiful sunset; I could feel it in the air.

Today hadn’t started out well with the tricky reader session and I still had no idea if we could do enough at this conference to help change opinions on Jake but I had enjoyed spending time with him in the city more than I thought I would. When we were alone, it felt like less and less like we were just colleagues. And that both scared and thrilled me.

‘I’m glad you like it,’ Jake murmured, close to my shoulder. ‘Being an author has some perks,’ he added with a wry smile.

I glanced at him. ‘I’ll say. You’re one hell of a tour guide, Jake.’

‘You’ve enjoyed the day?’

‘I’ve loved it.’

Jake smiled. ‘I’m glad, Freya. You deserve it after what’s happened at the conference. I am sorry that I fucked things up for us.’