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There was one thing Rocco did know; the last nail in the coffin of any chance with Alison had been well and truly hammered in by Sienna.

An elderly gentleman came in and walked toward the counter.

Rocco turned back to Alison, who was now busy facing up the packets of paracetamol behind the counter.

‘Can I…?’ He tapped the indigestion medicine.

‘Yeah, I’ll ring that through.’ Alison didn’t even meet his eyes.

Rocco tapped his card against the machine and was slipping his purchase into his pocket when he felt the gift for Alison.

He swithered over what to do for a second before he placed it on the counter and slid it toward her.

‘I’ve been meaning to give you this. You mentioned you liked baths.’

Rocco didn’t know what else to say. There was nothing really left to say after Sienna had annihilated any chance of him asking Alison out for dinner. Rocco wished he could part with a great one-liner; something cute and memorable and nice. Something to show Alison he wasn’t the total cretin he feared she thought he was.

But all he came up with was, ‘Think of me when you use it.’

Alison raised an eyebrow.

‘Oh, I didn’t mean…’ Rocco had a sudden image of a naked Alison relaxing in a warm bath, candles flickering seductively as she lay back against the bubbles, the ends of her hair damp from touching the water… the steamy heat making her skin glisten… a drop of moisture pooling in the base of her throat.

Rocco cleared his throat in awkwardness, especially as the elderly man was staring at him in disapproval.

‘I just meant, Merry Christmas,’ Rocco said as he turned and hurried away.

CHAPTER 43

FRANKIE

Tuesday lunchtime, Frankie opened up the number twenty-two window of her advent calendar and popped the chocolate into her mouth as her phone began to ring. It was Jay. Although she’d still not put Jay into her contacts, she knew his number by heart.

Frankie quickly finished her chocolate and answered.

‘Hi.’

‘Hey, you.’ Jay’s husky voice sent sparks of electricity buzzing through Frankie’s core.

Frankie grinned. ‘How’s it going?’

‘Slowly. Roman’s playing hardball but Harris is amazing. We’re really hopeful. I can’t wait to see you. We’re flying back tomorrow. Are you free tomorrow night?’

Frankie felt her insides flip-flop with desire.

‘Yes!’ she said a little breathlessly, then, ‘Argh. No! There’s a family thing… Mum’s planned a secret baby shower for Valentina.’

‘What? Wait. Valentina’s pregnant?’

‘Yup.’

‘Wow. That’s brilliant news. You’re going to be an auntie! When’s she due?’

‘In a few days, just after Christmas, but she could go at any time. Uncle Stefano set up a poll on the family WhatsApp, so we’ve all picked a different day.’

She heard Jay laugh on the other end of the line. ‘Wow, that is close!’

‘I think she’s getting stressed. That’s why the baby shower is so last-minute; Mum didn’t know if Valentina would appreciate one or not.’