“I was worried about you when you didn’t call.”But it took you almost five hours to check on me?I can’t help but hear Jaime’s sentiment as he says it.
“I’m sorry. I’m fine, though. Did you enjoy the rest of the show?”
As he starts telling me all about the different trains and sets at the venue, I look up to see a very familiar six-foot-three shape walking towards me with a very familiar pushchair, the contents of which are shouting “Mama! Is Mama!”
I cover the microphone with my hand as they get nearer, “What are you guys doing here?”
“Hey, Blaze. We couldn’t let you walk alone so we thought we’d meet you halfway.”Puddle, puddle, puddle.
I break eye contact with those hypnotic sea-green pools and bend down to kiss my girl’s mitten-covered hands. “Hi, baby girl,” I whisper as she tries to reach for my face.
“Shari? Are you still there?”
Shit, forgot about Jake again. Not good. “Yes, I’m still here, sorry I think I lost reception there for a second,” the white lie makes me grimace. “Listen, I’m nearly at Brad’s house, so can I call you later?”
It takes him a moment to respond, but his voice is soft when he does, “Yes, of course you can. Get home safe and I’ll speak to you later.”
“I will, bye, Jake.”
Brad leans in to kiss my cheek as I hang up, “So, tell me about this date you were happy to leave. Where did he take you?” He spins the pushchair so we’re aiming back towards his house.
“Oh god, I’m honestly not sure why he thought I’d enjoy myself. It’s clearly important to him, so I tried to be excited, I really did. But a model train exhibition just isn’t my thing.” my face scrunches up with the memory.
And Brad? He laughs so hard I’m worried he might fall into the road.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that. You’ll have to take him to a book signing event as compensation,” he grins.
How does he just get me?
30
BOWCHICKAWOWOW
SHARI
24th January2026
Pulling up to the curb,my nerves are momentarily paused by the view. The sun has long set because January, but the lights strung around the harbour twinkle and reflect off the water in the most enchanting dance.
“Wow,” Max voices my exact thought from my right.
“I know, right? I bet the view from his roof terrace is awesome.”
“He's in the penthouse? Jakey baby must make some moolah!” she draws the last word out.
“Who knew train drivers were so well off?” I muse.
Shaking herself out of her awe, Max checks in with me. “You sure you don't need picking up later? You don't have to sleep with him or stay over if you're not ready.”
“I know. Bearing in mind this is our fifth date, I'm not putting any pressure on myself. If it happens, I want it to be organic, not scheduled. So, if I'm headed home later, I'll just order a taxiwhen I need it.” At the unsure look on her face I add, “But I promise I'll text you either way, ok?”
“Ok, make sure you do. And if you do get some, I hope it's as good as this view! Bowchickawowwow!” she sings.
“No pressure, eh,” I grumble with a laugh. With a quick hug and thanks for dropping me off, I exit the car and head to the main door.
Jake buzzes me up within seconds of me ringing the bell, and before long, I'm strolling into his penthouse. As expected, it's gorgeous. Two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows form a panoramic view of the harbour, one of which leads out onto the terrace. Marbled floor tiles, bright white walls, pale greys, cyans, oaks, and navy blues decorate the space. It's feels fresh, and modern, and fits the location to a T. I assume most of the furniture probably came with the flat, or maybe Jake hired a decorator, because I imagined his style to be a lot more masculine. Dark woods, black, chrome.
The man in question pulls me in for a startlingly ravenous kiss, and I find myself breathless and a little weak-kneed when we part. Jake rakes his eyes over me and a positively predatory smile climbs his face.
