I pull my phone out of my bag to turn it off silent. I see that I’ve got a message.

Miles

Happy Birthday Edie! Looking forward to the next stage in our Love Story tonight xoxo

I groan.

‘What is it?’ asks Layla.

‘I’ve just received the corniest text ever.’

I turn my phone round for her to see and she laughs.

‘Who knew Miles was a hopeless romantic at heart? You have to admit, though, that all signs point to a proposal tonight. The restaurant. And that text message. Someone may be Mrs Cole by the end of the night,’ she says, nudging me.

I get a sinking feeling in my stomach, praying beyond hope that she’s got it all wrong.

Chapter 3

I open the door to Miles, or at least I presume it’s him. He’s laden like a pack horse with bags draped over his arms and his face is obscured by an enormous bunch of flowers.

‘Hello, birthday girl,’ he says.

He tries to lean down, and we do our best to kiss but the lilies get in the way. We pull apart and he attempts to hand me the flowers.

‘Hello yourself. What is all this stuff?’

I take a bottle of wine that Miles is about to drop, and he manages to catch a garment bag that was slipping off his arm.

‘All in good time,’ he says.

I notice his overnight bag on his back that’s bulging at the seams, a contrast to its usual state as Miles usually travels with only the essentials.

I walk over to the cupboard under the sink and pull out a vase. I fill it with water and place it on the kitchen island. I’m about to arrange the flowers when Miles places a small turquoise bag next to me. It’s Tiffany blue. I stare at it, Layla’s words about the proposal fresh in my mind.

‘So, big night tonight.’

My heart starts to beat a little bit quicker.

‘Yep, although it’s just another year older. It’s no big deal.’

Miles leans on the kitchen island and raises an eyebrow.

‘But tonight is a double celebration.’

I look down at the unspoken Tiffany bag.

‘Double celebration?’ I squeak. We have not been dating long enough for it to be anything small and sparkly. But that bag.

‘The council tender,’ he says. ‘I saw it on your company Facebook page.’

‘Oh, right, that.’ I breathe a silent sigh of relief.