Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection. Rebecca Winters

invitation. Won’t it be a bit late to say yes now?’

      ‘No. I got Wendy to put you down as a yes ages ago.’

      ‘Did you now?’

      ‘I did. And I put you down for a plus one. Old Ed Solway is a sucker for a pretty face and whilst Wendy seems to think you’re the best thing since sliced bread, I know for a fact you’ll do nothing for him. Why don’t you bring that organiser lassie? She sounds great and you said she was hot.’

      ‘OK Gerry, I’ll see you there. Got to go!’ Michael hurriedly pressed another button on the steering wheel and the radio came back on.

      I was looking out of the window, the snow now drifting at the sides of the road cast a glow, making the surroundings lighter than usual.

      After a moment or two, Michael spoke. ‘I didn’t exactly say that you were hot.’

       Can anyone say pin and balloon?

      ‘Of course not.’ I kept my voice neutral.

      ‘I mean, not that you’re not hot. You are. You’re gorgeous. But what I meant…’

      I looked away from the window, towards him. We were stopped at a four-way temporary traffic light. Michael pulled on the handbrake.

      ‘I didn’t want you to think I’d been talking about you.’

      ‘But you have.’

      ‘Well, yes. But in a good way. In a really good way, actually.’

      ‘OK.’

      He checked the traffic. There were still two more ways to go before our direction went back to green.

      ‘Look, I know what you think of me and the fact I’ve not been averse to one-night stands.’

      ‘Michael I know you better now and I’m not judging you. You’re single and enjoying it. Find a pretty girl to take to this thing and have a good night. It sounds like it could really be beneficial.’

      ‘But I don’t want to find a pretty girl to take. I’d like to take you.’

      We both remained silent as that sentence filtered through our minds.

      ‘That didn’t come out right either.’ The light changed and he pulled away. Hitting the indicator, Michael pulled into a layby, knocked the pickup into neutral and turned to me.

      ‘I’d love it if you would come with me to this thing. It’d certainly make it a lot more fun.’

      I smiled, preparing my answer but before I could say anything, Michael continued. ‘I’m not asking for anything more than the pleasure of your company, as a friend,’ he leant over and took my hand, ‘which I hope is what we are now.

      I was running out of proverbial balloons to pop. Michael, however, seemed to misread the look on my face for the second time today. Typical that when I didn’t want him to know what I was thinking he could read me like a book but now…

      ‘Obviously I know you’ve just come out of a relationship, which isn’t easy. I just wanted you to know that I wasn’t suggesting…’

      ‘Of course not.’

      His face fell. ‘Of course not, as in you’re not interested?’

       Boy, could he be more wrong?’

      ‘No, I meant that I understand what you’re saying. You’re right, we are friends and because of that there’s no pressure on either side.’ I fixed on a bright smile and hoped the low light would keep him from seeing the truth of it. ‘Which means you can just concentrate on impressing this Mr Solway man and getting the contract.’

      Michael straightened his cap unnecessarily. ‘But you’ll come?’

      ‘I will. Thank you. Wait! When is it?’

      He pulled a face. ‘Umm, it’s kind of tomorrow evening.’

      ‘Kind of?’

      ‘Actually tomorrow evening. I understand entirely if you can’t come?’

      ‘No. It’s not a problem.’ I whacked on that bright smile again and forced all thoughts of Michael as more than a friend out of my head. It was a ridiculous thing to consider anyway. I was pretty sure we had different ideas on what we’d like the future to hold. And what if we did try and something went wrong? How awkward would that make things for Janey? He was right. We had got to a place where we could call each other a friend, which in itself was a real achievement. I trusted him. He said what he meant, even if it led to us disagreeing. But at least I knew where I stood with him, which was a trait I valued, especially after recent events. Yes. This was good. It was stupid to think anything else would be better – that heavenly face and body aside.

      I knew exactly what had happened: I’d been so caught up in falling in love with his dopey dog, and his beautiful house, that I’d begun to think –

      ‘You’re awfully quiet over there.’

      ‘I was just wondering what to wear for tomorrow.’

      He nodded, not taking his eyes off the road. ‘I see. Well, it’s not black tie but it’s pretty formal.’

      ‘OK. Thanks. I’m sure I can find something.’

      Michael dropped me back at my flat as the time was getting on and I had an early client.

      ‘Don’t forget Mary will be coming tomorrow at ten to deliver the new curtains for the living room. She’ll help you put them up. She always likes to check everything is OK with them and that her client is happy before she leaves so she’ll take care of you.’

      ‘Great. Thanks for arranging all that.’

      ‘My pleasure. Hopefully these will make you happier when you see them.’

      ‘I’m pretty sure they will. So you’re not round tomorrow?’

      I laughed. ‘Believe it or not Mr O’Farrell, I do have other clients. I can’t spend all my time with you.’

      ‘Well, now that’s a shame.’

      I rolled my eyes at him. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t leave you in the lurch with the tree. What time should I meet you tomorrow for this thing?’

      He held up a finger as answer and jumped out of the cab, quick strides bringing him round to the passenger side where I had already opened the door.

      ‘I’ll pick you up at seven, if that fits in with you?’

      ‘Sounds fine. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.’ I gave him a quick little hug and began walking towards the communal entrance. Michael fell in beside me. I stopped, a question in my eyes.

      ‘Just walking you to your door.’

      ‘You don’t need to do that. It’s just there.’

      ‘Yeah, I know. But I can’t see it from the truck and I want to make sure you get there safely.’

      ‘Worried you might end up without a date for tomorrow? I hardly think that’s a big concern for you.’ I laughed, knowing that given the chance, I’d be mown down where I stood if word got out this particular man was free tomorrow night.

      ‘I guess I did a pretty good job of convincing you I really was that shallow when we first met.’ I couldn’t see his expression in the low light but there was a tone to his voice that made me stop.

      ‘Michael,’ I put my hand on his arm, ‘I don’t think you’re shallow. You’re right, at first maybe I did. But that was what you seemed to want everyone to think. But people that know you know it isn’t true. And you’ve proved to me that it isn’t.’ I squidged the puffy fabric of his jacket under my gloved hand.

      He lifted his hand and took mine in it, the gesture saying everything that was needed.

      ‘Thanks