I playfully slapped him on the arm and he gave me a heart-trembling grin. “Ok, seeing as we’re being honest and this is all playing out in the middle of Glasgow…” His face adopted a more pensive expression. “Part of me wanted to think badly of you because I thought it would stop me falling for you. I knew I couldn’t go through that deceit again.”

I found myself being swallowed up in those heart-stopping silver eyes of his. His lashes flickered.

“Even though you have a little black book that’s more like a telephone directory?” I asked him.

“I think that’s a bit of an exaggeration. It’s more like a copy of War & Peace.”

I gave him a playful dig with my elbow.

“Ow!

“Yes. Ok,” he grinned. “I admit I did play the field a bit up until I met you.”

He held me a little tighter and I snuggled into him. “I did date a lot of different women. I suppose being a sexy, handsome, and successful photographer has its advantages.”

I pretended to look around. “Well, if you tell me where he is…”

Flynn pulled a comical face that made me laugh. “But then you came along and it made me realise what an empty, vacuous lifestyle I was leading.” His gaze softened further. “It’s not just because I think you’re gorgeous. I love the way you care about other people and how you always want to do the right thing.”

I leant up and planted a graze of a kiss on his lips. “Say that again.”

Flynn arched one thick, dark brow. “Now you’re milking it.”

As the sound of the traffic and Christmas crowds echoed around us, we kissed again, lost in each other.

“So, what now?” I asked after a few moments.

Flynn ran one playful finger down the length of my nose before tapping the end of it. “Well, I was going to invite you out to dinner. Something tells me my grandfather will approve.”

Oh bugger! I jerked out of Flynn’s arms. “Your grandfather!”

Flynn blinked down at me, confused. “What about him? You don’t fancy him as well, do you?”

“Very funny.” I fished about in my bag by my feet and dialled Flynn senior, who told me he was en route to the police station with the two arresting officers and a rumpled Seth Gordon who would soon be in the company of one of his detective friends.

“Life with you is never boring,” exclaimed Flynn, shaking his head. “Now will you please tell me what’s going on? Once I’ve explained to Courtney back up there where I’ve got to?”

I took Flynn’s hand in mine when he returned from dashing back up to his studio to explain to Courtney what was happening and to apologise for his sudden and prolonged disappearance.