The Bad Boy's Redemption. Joss Wood

Will went to the bar to buy them a drink before the show started Lu quickly snapped a photograph of the billboard advertising the trio of pastry chefs and chocolatiers. Attaching the picture to a message, she sent it to her brothers.

      As you can see, I’m out and about.

      With a man who very obviously doesn’t want to sleep with me, Lu thought, but she didn’t add that. Daniel replied.

      Good for you!

      Uh...no...and not for the cobwebs either. Nate’s response flashed onto her screen.

      Apparently not alone. Was Mak serious when he said you’re with Will Scott? THE Will Scott? And what is he doing saying yes to a baking demo?

      Who knew? Confusion reigned. And Mak had a whale-sized big mouth! Lu texted back.

      Yep. And hey! There are tons of celebs here. These chefs are BIG news!

      Nate: Bet there aren’t any sportsmen there.

      Dan: Do you think he could organise for us to meet the squad when we come home?

      And when will that be?

      When you’ve taken dance classes, pottery lessons and done a skydive. One date does not a life make.

      Yeah! Agreed!

      OMG, I’d forgotten how annoying you two can be! :p

      Lu shoved her mobile into her bag and looked over to the bar, where Will was easily recognisable in the crush by his broad shoulders in a white shirt worn over a nice pair of jeans. He’d rolled the cuffs back at his wrists and he looked well dressed but casual—relaxed, but as if he’d made a bit of an effort.

      And volcano-hot!

      She hoped that she’d hit the right note between casual and sexy herself, with a pair of white jeans and a pale green gypsy top falling off one shoulder and belted in at the hips. Strappy heels took her height to Will’s shoulder, yet she still felt—like most people, she supposed—dwarfed by him.

      Will walked back towards her and Lu saw various sets of eyes following his progress, noticed the nudging elbows, the behind-the-hand comments. The crowd knew exactly who he was.

      ‘Here you go,’ Will said, handing her a glass of wine and hanging on to his tall glass.

      How exactly was she supposed to act when she’d hinted that she wouldn’t say no to a bedroom invitation and he hadn’t say anything? Was that a yes? A no? Hang on, I’ll think about it?

      What she wouldn’t do was let him think that she gave a damn—not even for half a second. She’d learnt to hide her emotions, and pride insisted that she do it now.

      ‘What are you drinking?’ Lu asked politely. Look—she could do polite

      ‘Coke. I’m driving. I don’t drink that much.’

      That hadn’t been true in his past, Lu thought. She’d internet-searched him to death and it seemed that at one time Will had had a very unhealthy relationship with alcohol. And dope. And his ex-wife. There had been public fights, public displays of over-the-top affection, busted-up hotel rooms. She couldn’t reconcile this controlled, calm man with the younger version of himself she’d read about.

      She was pretty sure that younger Will would have slept with her!

      ‘So, did you find a place to rent?’ Lu asked as people started moving towards the intimate theatre.

      ‘A flat near you, actually. Practically around the corner. It has a hot tub.’

      Oh, good grief. Will in a hot tub...bubbles, champagne... She was not going to think about him skin on skin. He wasn’t on the same page as her in terms of skin and sex and... Dear Lord, it was hot in this theatre.

      Lu handed their tickets over and pulled in a breath when Will placed his hand on her lower back to guide her down the theatre steps.

      ‘It has a great view,’ Will continued as they eventually stopped at the bottom row, dead centre.

      Typical Mak to have organised the best seats in the house, Lu thought.

      ‘And it’s fully furnished, so I just need to move my clothes across. I’ll sign the lease tomorrow. I can also raid your fridge for frozen lasagne when I forget to buy food.’

      ‘I’ll make you a tray as a house warming present,’ Lu promised him as she sat down. Maybe.

      ‘You do love to cook, don’t you?’ Will shook his head, bemused. ‘My skills in the kitchen are limited to making coffee. When you make that tray of lasagne feel free to throw in a couple of those beetroot cupcakes you made for Kelby.’

      Lu looked puzzled. ‘When did you taste those?’

      ‘You sent some home with Kels and Angie? I ate with them last night.’

      ‘Oh. You liked them, huh?’

      ‘I have a chronic sweet tooth. I’m really hoping that they’ll have samples here of what they make tonight.’

      Will smiled at her and Lu’s stomach flipped over. His smile should be declared a weapon of mass destruction, she thought. How could she remain irritated when he was so charming? So appealing?

      ‘I love the art of baking...decorating. It’s so creative.’ Lu sighed. ‘I wish I could shoot them as they worked...it would be such fun.’

      ‘Talking of photography—Kelby and Angie were over the moon when they received those first couple of photos of Micki you e-mailed them.’

      ‘Good.’ Lu crossed her legs and tapped her finger against the wine glass. ‘They are a sweet family. Tell me about yours.’

      Affection passed across his face. ‘I have two sisters—one in London, one in Wellington—and my folks live in Auckland.’

      ‘Do you miss them?’

      ‘Sure. Although I’ve lived away from them for so long that it’s become normal.’

      Lu stared at the stage with its three tables and heaps of cooking equipment and felt her throat constrict. ‘The boys are having a fantastic time at uni...I already feel like they’re slipping away.

      ‘You are one of my brothers’ sporting heroes by the way,’ Lu told him as the lights flickered.

      ‘Do they play rugby?’

      ‘And cricket and hockey and soccer. And squash. And they surf... If it’s called a sport, they’ll try it. The one thing I don’t miss is ferrying them from activity to activity. Kids here only get their freedom at eighteen, and they’ve only just got their licences.’ Lu stared off into space for a moment. ‘That’s about the only thing I don’t miss about them being gone.’

      Will heard the tremor in her voice. ‘It’s been tough, huh?’

      Lu managed a quick laugh and waved his concern away. ‘Nah, I’m fine.’

      ‘Tell me the truth, Lu,’ Will insisted quietly.

      Her irritation with him flooded back with his request. He wanted to get into her head but not into her bed? She knew that she was out of practice dating-wise, but she was pretty sure that her complaint was ass-about-face.

      She wanted to tell him that she felt as if she’d had her head amputated, that the house was too quiet and that the dogs were pining. How excited she was to be working again. Instead she just turned her head away and stared at the stage.

      ‘It’s starting,’ she said as a spotlight highlighted the middle table.

      ‘Who is this dude anyway?’ Will demanded in a low whisper.

      ‘Rupert Walker is reputed to be the best baker in