‘If your opposition thinks you’re weak, they’re going to underestimate you. So you use that to your advantage. No idea how you didn’t learn that on the ice.’

He seemed to think about that, concluding that she might have a point.

‘It’s just … you said you’d run this stuff by me and you didn’t,’ he murmured, shoving his hands in his pockets. ‘That wasn’t cool. Neither is ignoring my calls by the way.’

Hannah inhaled deeply and did her best to count to ten, worried that she’d lose it altogether if she wasn’t careful. It wasn’t uncommon for clients to think that her entire life revolved around them and their needs alone, but this guy really was starting to take the biscuit. Still, she had no choice but to try to smooth things over. This was her job after all.

‘Like I said, I’m sorry. I had some other stuff to deal with last night.’ She exhaled, suddenly deflated. ‘I didn’t sleep the best and … well, I’m just not feeling great today.’

In that moment, he seemed to suddenly notice her dishevelled appearance; messy eye make-up, half-applied lipstick and general downbeat demeanour all round.

‘Hungover?’ he teased, his tone turning light as he realized the opportunity to potentially needle her for once. ‘Makes a change.’

‘Hardly. I mean, no, I’m not hungover. I’m … just discombobulated … ’

‘OK, I have no idea what the hell that means.’ Then Ward’s expression transitioned from playful to genuine concern and his green eyes searched her face as if looking for clues as to what was throwing her off. ‘Hey,’ he said softly, touching her elbow gently, ‘I’m sorry. If you need to talk …’

He was staring at her with an intensity that made her stomach do flip-flops. Hannah didn’t know if it was because of her current confusion about Rob or if it was just because the more time she spent with Ward, the more drawn to him she seemed to become. Which was doubly dangerous.

‘It’s fine, honestly. For the record, I actually did try to give you a heads-up about the piece yesterday, but couldn’t reach you. In any case, Ward, I can’t run every single element of the strategy by you, or I’d never get anything done. You need to trust me too. I already said I wouldn’t pursue anything you weren’t comfortable with. And I honestly didn’t think you’d lose it over a bunch of helpless kittens.’

‘Like I said, I’m sorry. But speaking of running things by … did you see that I posted something online – a video?’ He looked so hesitant and unsure of himself now that she softened afresh.

‘Yes. An inspired idea and something we can really build on too. I already have a few ideas and—’

‘I deleted it.’