"He's asking where you are," she said. "And he's demanding to put Harvey to bed."

I broke out in a cold sweat. My heart was beating so fast, I thought it would explode. I felt like I'd been caught doing something I shouldn't, even though everything was innocent, and we weren't even together. The roots of his abuse were going to be as hellish as a verruca to remove.

One step at a time, Louisa. Don't forget the small victories. One brick doesn't make a wall, but gradually putting lots of bricks together gives you what you need.

I was out with another man. That was a huge step for me. I was living my life, finally, with no one pulling me down or telling me I can't do something. He couldn't do anything right at this minute. I was fine. I refused to let myself think of what could happen when I next saw him.

"This is why I want a dog, Mum. Do you get it now? He wouldn't even be there right now if he knew I had one."

"Yes, I get it. I never said I didn't. It's just the money aspect, that's all. Anyway, we'll talk about that later. What do you want me to say to him?"

"Tell him I'm at Charlie's or something. And let him put Harvey to bed. No use arguing with him—at least he'll be gone quicker if you just let him get on with it."

An exasperated sigh sounded down the phone. "Lou, it's that laid-back attitude that got you into this mess. You need to start telling him no instead of looking for the easy route all the time."

I ground my teeth together and bit the inside of my cheek. Deep down, I knew what she was trying to say, but I couldn't help the defensive part of me wanting to snap back at her for insinuating it was all my fault. With comments like that, it made her no better than him.

"Is that all you wanted?" I said. "Because you're making me look very rude right now."

"Ok, have a good night. See you in the morning."

I muttered a 'bye' and hung up, well aware that Jake probably heard every part of that conversation. Trying to cool the heat racing to my cheeks, I fired off a quick text to Charlie:

Me: If Adam asks, I'm with you tonight. Tell you more in the morning xxx

Her reply was almost instant:

Charlie: Shit, hun. I've just seen him in the Chinese. I'm here with Andy. Ring me if you need me xxx

"Everything ok?" Jake said. His brow furrowed together, and his eyes were full of concern.

Stuffing my phone back in my bag, I faked a smile and nodded. "Just Harvey's dad turning up unexpectedly. Nothing major."

"Forgive me if I'm overstepping the mark here, but in my opinion, that is pretty major. I presume I'm correct in assuming you're not together?"

"Yes. We split up just before Christmas."

"Sorry to hear that," he said, pulling his lips into a thin line. "Couldn't have been very nice for you."

No, not really, considering I was in hospital after being stabbed, beaten, and tortured. But the silver lining was he moved out. "Shit happens," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

He glanced over at me, surprise flashing across his face, but he didn't comment on it. "Well, turning up unannounced, especially if you have a visitation order in place, is very frowned upon in court."

"I don't have anything official in place, so he just kind of pops round when he feels like it."

"You know he's not allowed to do that. Not legally. If you have shared custody then it should be an equal split, not him turning up to the family home as and when he feels like it."

I was at a loss for words. I knew what Jake said was right; it was nothing Mum hadn't said to me already. It was just so...complicated. I wanted to fix myself, make sure I was in the right place mentally before I went down official routes. At the moment, placating Adam kept me in one piece and Harvey still got to see his father. It was a win-win.

"I'm sorry," Jake said, smiling at me. "I tend to be a little...opinionated when it comes to people not doing things as they should. Just tell me to shut up if I do it again."

"It's ok," I said, giggling. "I appreciate an outside view. Thank you."

He turned the conversation back to before my mum rang. My unease about the situation at home soon dissolved into nothing. By the time he guided the car down a small one-way street, I was relaxed, hungry, and full of nervous anticipation. He parked the car in the last space available on the cute cobbled street and switched the engine off.

I reached for the door handle, thinking nothing of letting myself out of the car. When Jake placed his warm hand on my forearm, I jumped.

"I get the whole independence thing, but just indulge me for an evening. Please?"

A grateful shyness crept over me, making me blush. Being treated like a lady with having doors opened and closed, the back of my hand being kissed, the compliments; it was nice. It was like having a spa day—you knew it would be a 'one off' occasion, but that didn't take away the special feeling it delivered in the meantime.

Now reaching for my hand to help me out of the car, I made the mistake of looking up into his handsome face. The bright rays of sunshine dipping behind the sandy bricked houses gave a fantastic glow. With such a stunning backdrop, and such a gorgeous man looking down at me, for a split second, I felt like I was in my own movie. He looked incredible; perfect. Twinkling eyes, succulent pink lips, a lazy, delightful smile, and shadows darkening some of his smooth skin, I was hypnotised.

He kissed the back of my hand, filling me with tingles and desire. I couldn't care less this was a once in a lifetime thing. After everything I'd lived through, I damn well deserved my own Cinderella story, regardless of whether it ended with a happily ever after or not.

I glanced around me, in awe at the quaint, quirky houses lining the road. With crooked roofs, old stonework, and no two houses the same, it was like a part of history meeting Harry Potter.

He pulled me from my amazement by interlacing his warm fingers with mine. "This way," he said, leading us towards a dainty looking town house squished between two old trees.

We approached a dark green door with a brass door handle. I frowned. "Isn't this someone's house?"

He smiled and shook his head. "It was a coaching inn, centuries ago. It's now a hotel and restaurant. I can guarantee you will find nowhere with better food and a more perfect setting."

The heavy door groaned as Jake opened it, the aged black hinges really giving authenticity to its era. As we stepped inside, I was lost in astonishment. Bare wood was everywhere—floors, ceilings, and walls. A steep, narrow staircase sat to the left, it's heights disappearing into the soft glow radiating from several oil lamps. To my right was a small waiting area, two red and gold plush sofas facing a dark wooden coffee table. Intricate black iron candle holders sat on the table, giving an edgy feel to the dusky scene. Directly in front of us was a well-stocked bar with a beaming Chinese man stood behind it.

"Mr Murphy!" he said, rushing out from behind the mahogany bar. "Your table all ready for you."

"Thank you, Jimmy," Jake said. "Especially as it was such short notice."

"Anything for you, Mr Murphy. You long time good customer."

I struggled not to giggle at his broken English but admired the respect he obviously held for his customers. He led us towards a doorway next to the bar, and down a fantastic mahogany spiral staircase. I tried my hardest to keep the clunking of my heels as quiet as possible as we descended into what I presumed was a basement.

Soft, soothing music floated through the air along with the sound of cutlery clinking on china. Shadows from candlelight danced on the white walls and the gentle hum of chatter underlined the music. The low hanging ceiling with the genuine dark oak beams stretching across its length added to the cosy energy down here.

Several tables were scattered around the large room. Some hugged the walls, red velvet partitions curving around them for extra privacy. The only light down here was from the flickering candles and the bright white lights from the open view of the kitchen. The heavenly smells of cooking food drifting through the air made my stomach grumble.

As we walked in, nearly everyone stopped and watched us make our way to our table. I took a deep breath as we walked across the stone floor. I kept my head held high, refusing to be submissive under their penetrating stares. Sweat broke out on my palms. The fear of falling over hit me as my heel caught the edge of a raised stone.

Jake wrapped his arm around my waist and gave me a reassuring squeeze. I knew he didn't have a clue what I was feeling or thinking, but I pretended he did. I could do this. It was just a few steps to a table.

Leading us to the far corner, Jimmy gave a half bow and said, "Your usual table, Mr Murphy."

My heart sank a little. I couldn't ignore the pang of jealousy that shot through me despite telling myself not to be silly. I'd felt so special right up until this moment. Now I was picturing him with dozens of blonde bombshells. We sat down and were served two glasses of white wine from a very old looking bottle before being left with the menus.

Jake smelled the wine before tasting it and took a sip. "Not bad," he said, motioning for me to try it.

"I don't really drink," I said, trying to excuse myself from the wine.

"Honestly, just try a sip. You don't need to drink the whole bottle."

I felt rude to decline again so obliged. As far as my wine tasting went, which boiled down to eating grapes, it was quite nice. A soft, fruity tang fizzled across my tongue, leaving a silky trail down my throat as I swallowed.

I smiled and nodded at Jake. "That's really nice. I like it."

"Good. I'm only having this half a glass as I'm driving, so the rest of the bottle is yours if you want it."

I smiled and opened up the menu. Instantly, I knew this place was expensive as there were no prices anywhere. That only increased my discomfort with not being able to pay my way, but I let it go. I soon found what I wanted and placed my order with the polite waiter who came to our table a few minutes later.

Once we were left on our own again, he questioned me. "Are you ok? You've been very quiet since we got here."

"Yeah, I'm good, just hungry. I'm not the best person to be around when I'm hungry. Or cold. Or too hot either, actually."

He chuckled. "Ah, but you're ok to be around in general then?"

I giggled, trying my hardest to ignore the slow burn heating through my cheeks. "Do you come here often?"

Taking a sip of his wine, he smiled at me. "Is that what you're really wondering? Or are you wondering how many women I've brought here?"

I froze. My heart lurched inside my chest. The burn in my cheeks began to scorch through my skin. "I...well with Jimmy saying it's your usual table and with where this place is, it just seemed an obvious thing to ask."

A deep chuckle sounded across the table. He winked at me and then said, "Not a bad way to dig yourself out of a hole."

I laughed and put a hand over my chest as I let out a breath. "That was mean."

A cheeky smirk folded over his lips. "To answer your original question, I do come here often, yes. Mostly on my own." His smirk disappeared leaving an intense shadow to edge the atmosphere. "I'm not a womaniser. I don't have a different woman every week."

To say I felt uncomfortable was an understatement. I barely knew him, and I felt like I'd made him bare his soul. I opened my mouth to say something, but I didn't know what to say. I'd definitely lost more than a glass slipper in my Cinderella story.

He reached across the table and placed his hand over mine. In a quiet voice, he said, "I haven't been near anyone since Gina and I finished. I've either been too busy or just not interested."

With my pulse racing and my thoughts consumed by his hand on mine, I bit back a tear of self-pity. I only had myself to blame for screwing this one up.

Gina Edwards had been Jake's partner for nearly six years. She was an actress who really hit the big time not long after she met Jake. They'd separated around nine months ago due to a 'mutual agreement.'

"I'm sorry," I said, looking down into my lap. "I didn't mean to pry or anything."

He squeezed my hand and stroked his thumb over my skin. Goosebumps began to raise on my arms. "What are you sorry for?" He moved his hand to my chin and titled my face up. "You haven't done anything wrong."

I thought back over the conversation we'd just had. "But if I hadn't asked how often you come here—"

"If I didn't want this conversation to go the way it has, I would have answered your question with a simple yes or no."

My heart thudded against my ribcage. What was he trying to say? Why had he wanted the conversation to go like this? More importantly, was that classed as manipulation?

No. Don't go there. You're overthinking things again.

Before I could chastise myself any further, my phone buzzed into life. Immediately thinking of Mum and Harvey, I grabbed my bag and fumbled through it.

ADAM

A blast of dread ran through my chest and settled in my feet. I hovered over the answer button but took too long to answer. A patterned streak of panic shot through me as I realised I'd missed a call from him. I let out a breath when I reminded myself I was no longer with him.

"Did you want to answer that?" Jake asked, his blue eyes misting over with curiosity.

"Pardon?" I looked up to see him looking at my phone. "Um, no. It's nothing important." I stuffed my phone back in my bag and ignored it.

An inquisitive expression passed over his face before he changed the subject. "Tell me about your hobbies and things you like to do."

Keeping my attention on his glittering eyes, I eased back into normal chit chat, all thoughts of Adam evaporating like water under the sun. I detailed him on horses which had been a life-long passion. He also learned about my love for thrillers to read, rom-coms and action movies to watch, and my guilty pleasures for music—Taylor Swift.

"What sparked the interest in thrillers to read but not watch?"

I thought over this for a second. "Books draw you in, make you feel each emotion, drag out the suspense, but films are different. With films you get a glimpse of a man looking anxious and then a shot of him grabbing a door handle. In the book you get so much more description; it's like you're there doing it rather than watching it. Does that make any sense?"

He chuckled and nodded. "I understand. What drew you into thrillers in the first place?"

I grinned. "Do you remember the children's books, Goosebumps?"

"Yes," he said, grinning. "Some of those were terrifying."

I nodded. "I know. I still remember some of them because they scared me that much. I never read them in the dark either."

"So who do you read these days?"

"Karin Slaughter, Dean Koontz, James Paterson. I also quite like Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman if I'm feeling a little quirky."

He laughed. "Talk about opposite ends of the scale."

My phone vibrating cut through our talk. Heated embarrassment flooded me. I couldn't turn it off in case Mum needed me, but if he was going to persistently call, I wouldn't have a choice.

Jake motioned his head towards my small clutch bag. "You can answer it, you know. I'm not an ogre who expects your attention all of the time."

"Thank you, but it's really ok. It can wait."

He nodded and smiled. As if the universe was trying to prove a point, Jake's phone then sprang into life.

He looked at the screen and then up at me. "I'm terribly sorry but I do need to answer this."

I smiled and nodded. Then, horror flooded me. It couldn't be Adam, could it? No, he'd have no way of getting Jake's number. Besides, he didn't even know who I was with. Despite my attempts to reassure myself, the underlying panic that it might be Adam just wouldn't go away.

Happy place, Louisa. When you feel your thoughts spinning out of control, go to your happy place.

I closed my eyes and there I was. Summer sunshine warming my face, the overwhelming feeling of freedom, the connection between human and horse. Hooves thundered beneath me, the wind whipped at my cheeks and whistled through my ears. Grass and trees became one green blur around me. All that mattered was this incredible feeling like I was flying.

Now feeling more relaxed and in control, I took a deep breath and looked around me with renewed life. Jake looked over at me and mouthed 'Sorry' as he continued to listen to whoever was on the other end of the line. I smiled and took the opportunity to see who had been trying to contact me this time.

Adam: Where are you? I know your mum lied when she said you were with Charlie.

Panic consumed me. I knew the next time I saw him it would not be pleasant. My stubborn, defiant side appeared, telling me it didn't matter; we weren't together so he could jog on.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Jake asked, snapping his phone shut. "You look very pale all of a sudden."

"Yes," I said, waving my hand nonchalantly. "Just hungry."

He winked at me. "Ah, yes. Best watch what I say, eh?"

I couldn't help but giggle. Thankfully, the starters turned up, which turned the conversation to different foods we both liked. Once we'd finished and the waiter cleared the plates, Jake leaned forwards on the table and clasped his hands together.

"That was Ray on the phone. He was informing me that the promo tour for my latest 'Mafioso' film has been brought forward."

I was a little confused. Why was he telling me this? Not knowing what else to say, I simply said, "Oh."

"It means that instead of having two weeks off after filming here has finished, I'll be going to Paris the next day."

Picturing a sweet romance scene in my head, I could see him in the lamp-lit streets of Paris, stars shining above, stroking a woman's cheek as he tells her how much he loves her. Before I lost myself completely, I came out with an even more ridiculous sentence.

"That'll be nice."

A wide grin spread over his face. "Yes, it will be. Paris is a beautiful city. You should check it out sometime."

I smiled. "Maybe one day."

He continued grinning to himself like the cat who'd got the cream. Our mains arriving cut through the weird element of our conversation. We chatted through our meal, discovering that both of us like to people watch. Just for fun, we picked a table on the other side of the room with an older gentleman and young lady having dinner and began swapping ideas on what their story could be. It was so relaxed, such fun, and really refreshing. I hadn't expected him to be like this at all.

After declining dessert and the waiter gently informing us that the kitchen was closing soon, I was gobsmacked to see it was nearly eleven o'clock. Jake handed the waiter a card and glanced at me afterwards.

"I know," I said, grinning. "I promised to indulge you for an evening."

Smiling, he reached over and took my left hand. Before I knew what was happening, he gently pulled me towards him and skimmed his lips over mine.

My heart skipped several beats at the simple yet romantic gesture. A small tremble took control of me. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew the feelings this guy flooded over me were becoming addictive.

"I hope that wasn't too bold of me?" he asked, his voice all but a whisper.

Pressing my free hand to one of my cheeks in an attempt to hide my intense blush, I shook my head, smiling.

Lost in a daze of Jake's touch on me, I wasn't paying attention to my shawl; my cover. The next thing I knew, his eyes were widening, and he gasped. "Your arms..."