Once a Playboy…. Kate Hardy

people’s days.’ There was a glitter of something she couldn’t read in his eyes. ‘And it’s not for sharing, Serena. I meant it when I said it was just for you.’

      ‘May I open it now?’

      ‘No.’ He smiled. ‘Wait until I’ve gone.’ He stole another kiss. ‘Until Tuesday.’

      She sat down at her desk as he closed the door behind him and untied the ribbon.

      His gift turned out to be a small square box of the most exquisite dark chocolates. From Fortnum and Mason: the poshest grocery store in London, and quite possibly the poshest store in the world. That one small box of chocolates had probably cost him half as much as a whole week’s grocery shop for herself and Ethan.

      She’d never, ever been given something so decadent.

      How had George known that she loved dark chocolate? Or had it been one of the little things they’d chatted about during the weeks of his treatment, and he’d actually listened to what she’d told him?

      When Serena took the lid off the box and saw the chocolates nestled in dark brown frilled paper, and spied a crystallised violet on top of one smooth, dark, sinful chocolate—her absolute favourite flavour—she couldn’t resist taking it and biting off a corner. The bitterness of the smooth, rich chocolate was the perfect foil to the sweet floral fondant inside, and it took her breath away.

      Shockingly, it also reminded her of kissing him. Of the sweetness of his mouth in that sinfully dark kiss. She knew that she’d always associate violet creams with kissing George, from now on.

      And she really needed her head examined. Had she really agreed to meet him for lunch, next week? Had she really let him kiss her until she was dizzy?

      All the same, she finished the chocolate, then put the lid back on and slipped the box into her handbag before texting him to say thank you.

       This isn’t a gift from a grateful patient … This is just a very small, no-strings gift from me to you.

      Maybe.

      But would they be able to say the same about lunch?

      CHAPTER THREE

      SERENA just about managed to concentrate on her patients for the rest of the afternoon, and then went straight to her parents’ house to collect her son.

      ‘Mummy!’ Ethan flung himself at her, wrapping his arms round her legs and hugging her tightly. When he released her, Serena knelt down so she was at his level and could hug him back properly.

      ‘Did you have a nice day at school, darling?’

      ‘We played football. It was brilliant.’ He beamed at her. ‘And I drawed you a picture. Nanna made basghetti for tea. I helped stir the sauce.’

      Serena ruffled his hair; the fact that her five-year-old still couldn’t quite say the name of his favourite food still made her heart melt. She looked up at her mother. ‘Thanks, Mum.’

      ‘I’ve made a huge panful, so you’re staying to tea tonight. Don’t argue,’ Carolyn said with a smile.

      Serena smiled back, grateful that she wouldn’t have to cook dinner tonight. ‘You spoil me, Mum. Thank you.’

      ‘Can I help Granddad with his puzzle?’ Ethan asked.

      ‘Of course you can, gorgeous boy.’ Serena kissed him before releasing him, and the little boy sped away to join Serena’s father.

      ‘So how was your day, love?’ Carolyn asked, bustling around.

      ‘OK.’ Serena tried for brightness, not wanting her mother to know how ruffled her usual composure was.

      ‘How was it really?’ Carolyn asked.

      Serena frowned. ‘How do you know it wasn’t OK?’

      ‘The same way that you know if Ethan’s had a tough day at school. Mother’s instinct,’ Carolyn said. ‘Except I’ve had a few more years to hone mine than you have. What happened?’

      Serena went to the doorway to check that Ethan was busy with her father, then quietly shut the door so he wouldn’t accidentally overhear her conversation. ‘I was asked out on a date.’

      ‘That’s great. We’ll babysit,’ Carolyn said immediately.

      Serena shook her head. ‘Not an evening. Lunch.’

      ‘So you don’t need a babysitter.’ Carolyn shrugged. ‘Well, lunch is still nice. And it means you won’t feel guilty about taking time you feel you ought to spend with Ethan.’

      Guilt. Yes. That was exactly it. ‘I can’t do it, Mum.’

      Carolyn looked puzzled. ‘Why not?’

      ‘He was my patient.’

      ‘Was?’ Carolyn asked.

      ‘His last treatment was today.’

      ‘Then, as he’s not actually your patient any more, there’s nothing to stop you seeing him, is there?’ Carolyn pointed out.

      Serena bit her lip. ‘What about Ethan?’

      ‘If this man’s asked you out to lunch, then—assuming it isn’t a weekend—Ethan will be at school.’

      ‘No, I mean …’ She grimaced. ‘It feels wrong. Dating someone.’

      ‘Does he know about Ethan?’

      Serena nodded.

      ‘And is it a problem for him?’

      ‘No. He was pretty sensitive about it,’ Serena admitted.

      Carolyn gave her a hug. ‘Not all men are like Jason, you know.’

      ‘I know.’

      ‘And you haven’t dated in—well, since Jason.’

      Seven years ago. That was the last time she’d been out with a man who wasn’t Jason. Jason had walked out on her almost two years after their first date; in the five years since then, she hadn’t dated at all. She sighed. ‘That’s half the problem, Mum. I don’t know how. I don’t know the rules of dating any more.’

      ‘I don’t think they’ve changed that much,’ Carolyn said gently. ‘Just be yourself and it’ll be fine.’

      ‘It won’t work, Mum.’

      ‘How do you know, if you don’t give it a chance?’

      ‘We’re from different worlds.’

      Carolyn spread her hands. ‘And?’

      ‘I’m not really his type.’

      ‘He wouldn’t have asked you out if he didn’t like you for who you are,’ Carolyn pointed out. She stroked Serena’s hair away from her face. ‘Love, you give Ethan everything he needs and you’re a great mum. But you need to make some time for yourself as well. Between Ethan and work, there’s nothing left for you. And that isn’t healthy.’

      Jess had said the same thing. Did her father and the rest of her colleagues think that, too? Serena wondered.

      ‘Do you like him?’ Carolyn asked.

      That was the tough question. And Serena certainly wasn’t admitting that George made her heart miss a beat every time she saw him. Or that he’d completely melted her common sense with just one kiss. She could barely admit that to herself.

      Carolyn smiled at her silence. ‘So you do like him. Otherwise you wouldn’t have mentioned a word about it to me.’

      Serena had no answer to that. She knew it was true.

      ‘So I take it you’re going to have lunch with him, then?’

      ‘No. Yes. I don’t know.’ The whole idea of it had her lost in