‘Then let’s try the gelateria over there.’
A few minutes later she was looking down at the selection and eventually she settled for one scoop of lemon and another of chocolate.
‘Delicious,’ she said. ‘Thank you. The perfect end to the evening.’
Only she didn’t want it to end.
It doesn’t have to...
The night was still ahead and it held the promise of possibility. One last night. And then, once they went home, they wouldn’t meet again. Simple as that.
You only live once, whispered that insidious voice. Fate can bash you on the head at any time. Grasp this opportunity... Because a night with Ben will be an experience worth having.
Daft.
Yet as he finished his ice cream and smiled down at her, her tummy flipped, and she knew, regardless of common sense, that if she wasn’t careful she was about to mess up big time.
‘Shall we head back to the hotel?’
‘Sure.’
She continued the lecture to herself as they crossed the marble lobby, rode the elevator and entered the suite.
‘Nightcap?’ he offered.
‘That would be lovely.’
Huh? screamed the voice of caution.
It would be fine. There was no harm in sitting in an armchair and having a conversation. Then going to bed. Alone.
Accepting a glass of red wine, she smiled up at him. She saw the serious look on his face and her smile was swapped for a question.
‘Is there something you want to talk to me about?’
‘Yes.’
H
er heart pitter-pattered. Perhaps his thoughts had lined up with hers? Perhaps he was going to suggest...suggest what? A one-night stand? No, he wouldn’t do that. His principles would hold out better than hers. After all, he could have a wild night with the likes of Leila any time.
Exactly.
And how would she feel if in a few weeks’ time she saw a celebrity article showing Ben’s next partner?
‘Go ahead.’
‘I want to offer you a job. At head office.’
Ah. OK. Whilst she had been in the world of fantasy Ben had been thinking of practicalities.
‘I want to offer you an internship that you’ll do alongside a study programme. A programme that we’ll factor in to your contract. I believe you have a future in fashion, and I’d like it to be with us.’
Sarah stared at him, and now warmth of a different kind flooded over her. Tears threatened the backs of her eyelids. He hadn’t just been thinking about practicalities, he’d been figuring out a way for her to have a chance—despite the mistakes she’d made in the past. The chance his mother hadn’t been given.
‘I... I don’t know what to say.’
‘Say yes.’