Zoe let out a little laugh. ‘Welcome to the world of men. Most would rather cut their right arm off than admit they have feelings or any sort of vulnerability. I don’t know if it’s an evolutionary thing, or if they’re just plain stupid – or maybe a combination of both.’

Yet again harking back to one of Ed’s ‘classic truths’, Hannah shook her head. ‘I know Ward certainly isn’t stupid. But he has put me in somewhat of a bind now … ’ She went on to recount how he had suggested she accompany him to the upcoming event at the Plaza.

Back in her office, she honestly hadn’t been sure how to answer, and then he got embarrassed and uncomfortable and so to prevent things getting awkward, she’d agreed, despite every cell in her body worrying about history repeating.

‘Stop. Don’t even mention that worm’s name in my presence,’ Zoe rebuked when she told her this.

She laughed. ‘You’re not here though.’

‘Doesn’t matter. Look, my experience with men is a little bit deeper than yours and I could always spot the ones who aren’t worth it a mile away. Kendrick was never a keeper. Problem is, from what you’ve been telling me, the jury’s still out on McKenzie. I think you need to figure out which side of the guy is the real deal – the one you’ve moulded him into, or the embarrassing loser the world used to know. Regardless, a night at the Plaza sounds like fun, so ignore me. And what makes you think it would be awkward?’

Hannah exhaled. ‘Well, I didn’t say anything at the time, but a while back, when I was still trying to get him to trust me, we had this … moment.’

‘What kind of moment?’

‘It was around that time I got those texts from Rob, so I was out of sorts and I kind of took it out on Ward one day, and got angry with him. And even though he’s a world renowned hothead, he backed down—’

‘Well of course he did,’ her friend interjected. ‘I too made that mistake at first, underestimating you as a mere gust of wind, when in reality once something gets you going you’re one helluva tornado.’

Hannah laughed, not sure she’d quite agree with that description, especially when she made a point of rarely flipping her lid.

‘And then … well, things felt a bit … heated and I know it’s crazy but at one point, I honestly thought he was going to kiss me.’

‘And why would it be crazy if he did? Especially if things were, as you say heated.’

‘What? He’s a client, Zoe. You should know better than anyone that I can’t go there.’