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Georgie laughed. “The sign of a successful trip!” She picked up her tea and slurped a sip.

“All the restaurants you suggested have been terrific by the way,” said Oliver.

“Good! I know you’re sorta”—she reached for the kindest word possible—“selective about what and where you eat.”

“Oh, shit. Picky eater detected.” Oliver paused. “Was I that obvious on our date?”

“No, you just seemed a little hesitant.” She set down her Leafs mug. “Like it was the first time you’d eaten that cuisine.”

“First but definitely not my last. I loved it. I can’t wait to go back.”

“We will. For sure.” Georgie cocked her head. “But next time if you’re uncertain or would like to go somewhere else, let me know, okay? The last thing I’d want is for you to feel uncomfortable or leave hungry.”

“Oh, don’t worry, leaving hungry is not in my vocabulary.” Oliver laughed. “So, of all the New York restaurants you suggested, which one’s your favourite?”

Scratching the nape of her neck, Georgie glanced at her TV. “That’s a tough question.” She tucked an escaped strand of hair behind her ear. “Because I’ve…never actually been to New York.”

A gasp punched through the phone line. “Never?”

“Ever.”

“But”—Oliver cleared his throat—“how do you know about these places in such detail?”

“Remember when we discussed quirks? One of mine is planning trips I never take.”

“That’s a lot of work for no reward.”

Georgie shifted on the floor. “Oh, I fully intend to see what I research, but when it comes to actually booking flights and hotels, I don’t have time to go.”

“Can’t you go during summer when school’s out?” he asked.

“That’s when I pick up the bulk of my waitressing shifts. That money helps pay for my season tickets. Has for the past ten years.”

“March Break?”

Georgie toyed with the strings of her hoodie. “The Leafs have lots of games then, so…”

“What about Christmas—this Christmas?” Oliver’s voice brimmed with a hint of a smile. “Come on, Bug. Come to London with me!”

Her whole body tensed as Stefanie’s words stampeded through her head: “You’ll love London, Georgie! The history, the restaurants, the busyness—it was made for you.”

And maybe Oliver was too?

No! I can’t think like that. This is just some temporary fun. Georgie shuffled through her marking. “I’d love to, but it’s just me and mum, and it’s our turn to host Michael’s family for dinner this year. I’ll definitely visit one day, though.”

“I hope so,” said Oliver. “I’ll show you pubs and Hatchards and all the places you’ve dreamt about. We can even wander through that maze, if you’d like.”

NO, WE CANNOT! Georgie gulped. How dare he bring up the surreptitious setting of her most steamy Oliver fantasy?

“Okay.” She blushed, scrambling for a way out. “So, uh, how’d your meetings go? You haven’t said much about them.”

“There’s not much to tell. We only struck a deal on a mummy exchange!”

She bolted upward. “Oliver, that’s fantastic!”

“Thanks! New York’s contribution should be on display in Toronto two winters from now.”

“Well done, you!” said Georgie. “I bet Amalia’s thrilled.”