Hannah knew she would survive if she never spoke with a member of the press again. She also was perfectly fine with keeping Rob in her rear-view mirror for the rest of her life. In fact, if she never had to lay eyes on him again, she would consider it a success.

But Ward … A fresh ache settled in her chest when she imagined never speaking to him again, or seeing him again, or hearing him complain or tease her … or laugh.

Even though she was still spitting feathers with him for his part in her latest humiliation. Hannah kicked the sofa with her sock-clad foot and threw her head under the blanket as if doing so would make her problems disappear. But if anything, the darkness under the covers amplified the confused thoughts that ran rampant through her mind.

How had such public drama found her again?

She was supposed to control the narrative after all – not allow chaos to follow her around like an uninvited sidekick.

And what the hell had got into Ward? Why did he fly off the handle like that?

That she couldn’t make sense of. OK, so Rob had grabbed her, and evidently sensing her discomfort (or fear?), Ward had intervened. But to continue it after … that was beyond just standing up for her, it felt almost personal. Like Rob was an opponent in a high-stakes game.

She had been shocked – still was, frankly. But there was something else there, too, now that she examined it. A thrill of satisfaction. Didn’t Rob deserve what he’d got? Hannah didn’t condone violence, but even so, her answer was … maybe.

Her ex had needed to be put in his place for a while – and to think he was going to get away with sucker-punching Ward McKenzie … Despite herself Hannah felt an instinctive flicker of desire.

She no longer cared about Rob, of that she was now absolutely certain. But what about these other feelings? The jolt of butterflies from having Ward defend her honour? Her thoughts turned to how he had effortlessly thrown off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, emerald eyes glittering as the Wildcat readied himself to pounce. She shivered deliciously.

Seemed she wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

‘That was HOT! And I have never and I mean never wanted to shake a guy’s hand so much in my life. And then some.’ Zoe had phoned agog within minutes of the news breaking out, convinced it was the best thing she’d ever seen. Until remembering that it wasn’t so entertaining for Hannah.

‘I’m coming over on the next flight,’ her friend assured, but Hannah managed to persuade her not to. She didn’t feel up to talking, and for the moment, just wanted to be alone for a while until she was ready to think about what to do next.