‘Hayley won’t want to promote me after this trip; I’ve accepted that. Maybe I am not agent material after all,’ I said, thinking about how Jake hadn’t followed my advice. It hurt more than I cared to admit to him. More than it should for a work situation.

‘I’ll tell her that you are,’ he said fiercely. ‘I can’t let this trip mess things up for you as well. I’ll do whatever I can.’

‘I don’t know, maybe my advice hasn’t been right…’ I wondered.

‘Don’t doubt yourself because of me.’ He took a gulp from his drink. ‘You will go far, I know it. You’re tenacious. And ambitious. And great with people.’

‘Ha. Not great with men, though…’ I trailed off, wishing sometimes, I could go back in time and not blurt things out.

‘You’re doing pretty good with me,’ he replied. ‘Or is that because this is just professional?’

‘Are you asking me or telling me?’ I asked, once again wishing I had a better filter between my brain and my mouth, but I couldn’t help myself. I was suddenly desperate to know if this was still just professional for him.

I had definitely shocked him. Jake stared at me for a moment and I was sure his eyes flicked over me in a way that was definitely not professional. But then he stepped back with a sigh, breaking our eye contact. ‘It has to be, right? I know I’m not technically your client, but we are working here together. I’m ten years older, Freya, and you want romance, which is something I’m not sure I can give anyone right now.’ He shook his head, his expression dark.

This man had secrets that I wanted to unlock but I didn’t know how. ‘I thought you weren’t like other men,’ I said, thinking back to him telling me he’d treat me better than anyone ever had. At the time, I wasn’t sure if he meant women in general or me specifically but now I found myself hoping it was the former.

‘Freya.’ He said my name like it was precious to him. Then he broke our eye contact, looking out at the view instead of me. ‘Romance isn’t like it is in books.’

‘I keep feeling like that but I don’t want to give up hope that there is a love like that out there for me. And I think there is for you too. One day, we’ll find it.’

‘You think?’ Jake glanced at me again.

‘If we want it enough.’ I really hoped that was true. Then I decided it was best to move the subject on. ‘The sun is about to set,’ I said, turning to watch, needing to stop looking into Jake’s eyes.