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“Would you like to see the dessert menu?”

I answer before Ryan can. “Absolutely.” I squeeze Ryan’s knee. “I think we could both do with something sweet.”

“Briony. Come on, we’re back.”

I open one eye. Ryan is watching me, smiling. Beyond him is the familiar sandstone of Rowanbank Street.

I sit up, and the seat belt tightens across my chest. Oh, right. I must have drifted off on the drive home.

“How long was I asleep?” I ask, blinking and rubbing my eyes.

“Since somewhere between Dumbarton and Clydebank.”

“Really?”

“Aye. You were telling me something about flowers—no surprises there—and then you just trailed off.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was cute. As was the snoring.”

“I don’t snore,” I protest.

“Naw? Must’ve been someone else then.”

“Ryan. I didn’t really snore, did I?”

“Only very wee, very ladylike snores. Like I said, it was cute.” He brushes a curl away from my cheek, then leans over and kisses me gently. There are worse ways to wake up.

“Right,” he says. “Let’s get this van emptied.”

“Don’t be daft. You’ve done more than enough already. There’s only one bucket of spare stems to go in the flower room anyway, and I can manage that. The rest is empties, and they can wait till tomorrow.”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“All right, I’ll leave you to it, then. Emmy will be wanting the full debrief, no doubt, and I’m no getting in the way of that.”

He reaches for his seat belt, but I put a hand on his arm.

“Would you like to come for dinner tonight instead? I haven’t prepared anything, but I’m sure I could rustle something up. You paid for lunch, and after everything you’ve done today, it’s the least I can do.”

I also don’t particularly want him to go yet. But that sounds a bit much to say aloud, so I leave it at dinner.

“Would I like to? Aye.” He lays his hand over mine. “But am I gonnae? Naw. You’re exhausted. Go to your bed. We’ll have dinner tomorrow.” He gives my hand a squeeze.

I bite back my disappointment, even though he’s right: I am exhausted. I’m not good for much tonight.

“Okay. Thank you for everything today, Ryan. I honestly don’t know what I’d have done without you.”

His eyebrow lifts.

Oh. The rule. I forgot.

His gaze drops to my lap, then comes back to my face.

“Cannae reach your backside while you’re sitting on it.” He leans a little closer. “Only thing I can reach from here is your pussy, and that wouldnae be much of a punishment, would it?”