Gentleman Sinner

See you at seven.I swallow. Hard. I can’t decide whether I’m flattered or annoyed by his gesture. I remember his ticking jaw as he told me to get out of his car. He was desperate to get rid of me then. What’s changed? Once again, Theo Kane is throwing mixed signals. And that soon has me concluding that I’m annoyed. How does he expect me to react to this huge, beautiful spray of flowers? Call him and gush down the line? Swoon? I don’t know where I stand with him, and having worked my arse off to stabilize myself in recent years, to find my feet and get on with my life, I don’t need a man messing with that.

‘I’ll get these out of here,’ I say to Susan, who’s standing over me, arms crossed over her ample chest.

‘Well?’ She nods at the card as I get up.

‘Yes, well?’ Mable backs her up eagerly. ‘Are they from the hunk?’

‘Yes, they’re from the hunk,’ I confirm, passing the two women. ‘See you in a week.’

‘Don’t have too much fun,’ Susan calls after me.

‘What?’ Mable asks, disgusted. ‘Don’t listen to her, Izzy. Be bad but careful!’

I laugh as I head out of the ward, revelling in the knowledge that I won’t be back for a whole week. I retrieve my phone from my bag and pull up Theo’s message, tapping in a reply and quickly sending it.

I was gracious.

I just didn’t accept.*My to-do list is growing by the minute, things coming to me as I search for my passport and case. ‘Sun cream,’ I blurt to the drawer that I’m currently rummaging through, looking for the document I need to get me out of London and into Vegas. ‘Got ya.’ I grab my passport and throw it on my bed before rushing to the kitchen and adding sun cream to my long list. ‘Swimsuit,’ I shout.

‘You don’t have any?’ Jess asks, relaxing at the table with a glass of wine, fully packed and organized.

‘I haven’t been on holiday for over ten years.’

‘I have loads of bikinis. Feel free to borrow.’

I give her a look that Jess reads well, guilt swooping in and invading her pretty face. ‘Don’t look at me like that,’ I warn, and she forces her face into a smile. ‘It’s cool.’

‘I think you should wear a bikini and own it,’ Jess says, pushing my wine across the table.

‘I’ll be stared at for all the wrong reasons.’ Taking a sip of my wine, I find my hand on my midriff, circling the spot where the only physical reminder of him remains. I shudder, and Jess doesn’t miss it.

‘I might buy a new swimsuit myself.’ She stands and comes to me, kissing my forehead while I smile. ‘There’s some amazing designs this season.’

Her gesture is sweet but not necessary. ‘Shut up,’ I say, gently pushing her away.

She goes with ease, skipping out of the kitchen, leaving me thinking about what else needs to be added to my list in an attempt at diverting my mind from more unpleasant thoughts.

‘Izzy,’ I hear her call, and I drag myself up, heading for her room. But I don’t make it there, stalling in the hallway when I see her standing at the door. ‘It’s for you,’ she says, biting her bottom lip and pulling it open to its widest, revealing a man standing on the doorstep.

My relief is profound when I note it’s not Theo. It’s Callum, and he’ll be much easier to refuse. I walk forward and replace Jess in the doorway, spotting a Mercedes parked out front. ‘Hi,’ I say, all smiley and polite, holding on to the edge of the door.

‘Miss White.’ Callum nods, his expressionless gaze running down my frame, probably wondering why I’m in my work uniform. His dark brown eyes scowl a little. ‘Mr Kane is expecting you.’

‘He shouldn’t be. I texted him to let him know that I couldn’t make it.’ I congratulate myself for maintaining my politeness and sure tone. ‘I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted journey.’

Theo’s driver smiles tightly. It’s in impatience, and it doesn’t soften his features one tiny bit. ‘It won’t be wasted if you come.’

I make sure I don’t break our eye contact, because that would be displaying weakness. I’m not weak. I’m strong, as Callum will soon realize. ‘Like I said, I’m sorry you’ve had a wasted journey.’

His lips pucker on a light, suppressed laugh as he backs away. ‘Have it your way.’ He nods, forced, and walks away, sliding into his car and pulling off quickly.

Have it my way? Yes, I will. I close the door with a satisfied nod and find Jess behind me. ‘What?’ Her lips are pressed together.

‘And that was?’

‘Theo’s driver . . . I think.’

Her face says it all. ‘Lord Almighty.’

I make my way back to the kitchen, Jess hot on my heels. ‘Your knickers just burst into flames, didn’t they?’ I chuckle.