‘When I couldn’t sleep,’ I said, keeping my eyes on my plate as I felt shy admitting how much that kiss had played on my mind, ‘I checked social media and everyone is talking about what you said at the reader session yesterday. I did see some people praising you for trying to make it right but just as many are on the fence about what you said yesterday. We have a lot of work to do to convince them that you can be their favourite romance author again.’

Jake nodded. ‘I know. I will do all I can to win everyone round.’ Then he gave me a small smile. ‘But I have to admit right now, I’m mainly thinking about winning you round. Am I still your favourite romance author?’

I shook my head but I had to smile. ‘You need to focus on what we’re doing here.’

He raised an eyebrow.

‘I mean work wise! God.’ I put a hand to my face, flustered, feeling my cheeks heat up. I looked away from his gaze because it felt like he was peeling away layers off me with it. ‘But you’ve always been my favourite romance author,’ I admitted quietly.

‘Even though I let you down yesterday,’ he said. ‘I am sorry about that, Freya. I want to be more like you.’

‘If that’s a good thing,’ I said. ‘Hayley definitely doesn’t think so. I suppose you and me are very different.’ I wondered if that was something that should be making me even more wary of this spark between us. ‘Although they do say that opposites attract,’ I added absentmindedly.

‘So, if opposites attract then we’re agreed we’re attracted to one another?’ he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

‘I suppose I didn’t mind kissing you…’ I said, teasing him right back.

‘Oh, it was just an okay kiss for you?’ Jake leaned on the table and lowered his voice. ‘Am I going to have to try harder next time?’

‘Next time?’ I questioned, my heart thumping faster at the thought of him doing that.

‘There you are!’

Before Jake could answer me, Liv was suddenly standing by our table. I jumped when she appeared, my cheeks flushing further. ‘Morning,’ I said to her, in a high-pitched voice, tearing my eyes from Jake’s.

Liv frowned a little bit and looked from me to Jake as if wondering what was going on between us. ‘So, are you ready for the panel later? I was going to come and listen with you as I’m free until lunch.’

‘I can’t promise it will be as entertaining as the last one,’ Jake said.

Liv stared at him for a bit as if confused by him making a joke. I had to admit I was still getting used to him loosening up a little bit too. ‘A lot of people will be there wondering what confessions you’ll make this time.’