“I do not.” James turned to Grant, irritation rapidly morphing to anger and flooding his veins with heat. Damn it, his shoulders hurt. “And I do not lie, either.”

“Whatever. Now come on, what happened?” Grant glanced around the empty studio. “Quick, tell, before the others come back.”

James rubbed his fingers over his temple, wishing he could erase the scowl that seemed permanently etched there since he’d discovered Megan had run off. Unfortunately Grant knew him too damn well and could read him like a book.

“A problem shared is a problem halved,” Grant said in a sing-song voice.

James rolled his eyes.

“Come on, I’m being serious.” Grant’s expression changed to one of concern. “What’s up, buddy?”

Oh what the hell.

“I took her out, last night, to Bettino’s.”

“That nice Italian near you?” Grant nodded approvingly.

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

“Oh, la, la. Very romantic.”

“It was, perfect in fact. She, I mean we, had a nice time. Great food, fine wine, easy conversation over candlelight.”

“And then what…?”

“And then she suggested we go back to mine, you know, for coffee.”

“She was up for it then, unlike the time before.” Grant grinned a little manically and rubbed his hands together.

James didn’t want to disclose anything about Megan and what they’d done in bed—that they’d even been to bed together. It didn’t seem tasteful and not at all gentlemanly. It was like breaking a confidence of hers.

“So what’s the problem?” Grant frowned. “Oh no, don’t tell me you’ve been celibate for so long you’ve forgotten your moves.” He made a lewd rocking motion with his hips.

“No.” James turned back to the screen. “Everything is in full working order thank you very much and…”

“What?” Grant asked. “Spill the beans.”

“It was pretty damn amazing if you must know. More than amazing, we were good together, you know…”

“So, why the long face?”

James sighed. He’d said more than he wanted to now. It made him feel like a schoolboy discussing conquests behind the bike shed.

“What?” Grant said, pressing the matter. “What is it?”

“Persistent bugger, aren’t you?”

“I am where you’re concerned, James. If you’re screwed up over some London chick, this editing won’t get done and I won’t get home. And believe you me, I want to get home and soon.”

“Fair enough.” James shrugged. “She just disappeared, like, in the morning. I got up, showered, went downstairs. One minute she was there, the next, vanished.”

“She did a runner?”

“Not even a goodbye or a note. Just…gone.”

“Why?”

“I don’t bloody know, do I?” If only he did.

“But it’s hacked you off big time?”

“Yes, wouldn’t it you?”

“Hell yeah.” Grant nodded and his eyes widened. “It seriously would.”

“So you see why I’m not all rainbows and bloody fairy dust this morning.”