However, I think that if you approach this or any situation from an honest place, that’s always good. Authenticity in anyone – male or female – is appealing and I’ve learned through experience to run a mile from anyone who pretends to be someone they’re not. From what I already know about you, I can tell that you already live by this rule. And while it’s good to speak your mind and be able to come straight out and articulate what you want, I do think that when it comes to matters of the heart, we all do better by treading a little more carefully …

Hannah grimaced, trying her best not to sound blunt.

Feels to me that if you communicate openly and honestly, and aren’t sending too many mixed signals, the object of your affection will quickly figure out that you can be trusted. And that after all is the basis of any great relationship.

And once trust and respect is established, I think you can risk being a little braver or bold. Fortune favours the brave. Get her attention by doing something that catches her eye … but don’t try too hard either.

Rob popped into Hannah’s brain unbidden then, and she reviewed the previous statement before adding to it.

But under no circumstances do anything self-serving. You can be bold without making the other person feel awkward or on the spot … or worse, embarrassed. No faster way to send someone scurrying in the opposite direction.

‘Or the other side of the country,’ she muttered wryly.

I’m going out on a limb since I don’t know any background but I’m assuming you run in similar circles and have some shared interests. Always remember to respect space and boundaries.

Ultimately, I think if you approach the situation with the best of intentions (as I’m sure you will) and take your time, it’s likely that when you finally do pluck up the courage to take things further, you’ll have success. And even if you don’t, you can walk away knowing that you did everything right, and were true to yourself. Kind and respectful, a true gentleman. While you think the rules might have changed since the last time you put yourself out there, no matter what age you are, the basics truly haven’t. Deep down, everybody just wants someone to love and cherish, and to get the same in return. What you seem to have forgotten, is that you already know you’re capable of achieving that.

Hannah smiled then, deciding to call on the ever-reliable advice of her own long-time fictional mentor, which she felt was perfectly suited for the task at hand.

Now go boldly and make it so.

Chapter 48

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