“I’m so excited for tonight,” Imogen says when I arrive for my shift at the hotel before heading to uni to hand everything in. Imogen is doing the same course but she’s a little less organised than me; she looks like she hasn’t slept a wink. “I’m going to hand everything in the second I leave here, then sleep all afternoon. I didn’t think there was much point by the time I finished everything at four this morning, so I just necked a few Red Bulls and here I am. I’m getting so trashed tonight.” She says all this at such a pace that I have no doubt the fact about the energy drinks is true. “Even Eve’s coming, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to watch you get wasted and make a fool out of yourself. My mum is babysitting.” Eve’s got another year left on her course as she took a year out when she discovered she was pregnant at eighteen. She’s now trying to juggle motherhood, working and uni. Hats off to her, because I don’t think I could manage all that. She’s determined that Elissa isn’t going to stop her getting the career she dreams of.

“I’m not going,” I admit. Of course I want to go with them, but I haven’t really seen Lucas all week other than in passing in the mornings, and I’m desperate to spend some time with him.

“Why the fuck not? There is no excuse under the sun that’s good enough. You’re coming,” Imogen squeals, looking completely put out.

“She’s right, wait a minute,” Eve says eyeing me curiously. “Oh my God, Lilly, have you got a man?” she guesses correctly. My cheeks flame red so there’s no point denying it. “Oh my God! Who, when, where, what’s he like?”

“It’s early days,” is all I say before Hillary comes in and sets us off. As soon as she’s finished, I run as fast as I can. I’ve been holding back telling anyone other than Taylor, Connie and Nic about seeing Lucas, and we haven’t had the conversation yet about letting people at work know about us. It’s obvious Catherine knows something, and I’m surprised she hasn’t spread it around yet—or more likely some twisted version that makes me look bad.

“Morning, beautiful,” Lucas says the second I enter the living room.

“Good morning,” I reply before walking over to where he’s sat on the sofa with his laptop to give him a kiss.

“Hmmm, that’s what I’ve been waiting for,” he says with a smile when I pull back. “Now, I’ve got to go. I’m really late for a meeting.” I barely get a chance to blink and he’s gone. So much for asking him about tonight and the possibility of telling other people about us.

I do what I’ve got to do at Lucas’ before lugging all the stuff to uni. I decided it was a better idea to drive this morning so I didn’t waste time walking back and forth to work. Once I decided my projects were completely done I wanted to hand them over and move on. I’m looking forward to a life that doesn’t include constantly obsessing over the tiny details of each of my projects. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved and I’m confident in my work. Now I just have to wait to see if what I think is good actually is.

The feeling of relief when I finally hand everything over is huge. It feels like a two-ton elephant has been lifted from my shoulders.

“I was planning on going home to sleep for tonight but I’m fucking buzzing. Drink?” Imogen asks and I can’t refuse. I’m flying high right now and a drink sounds perfect.

We head away from uni to a local bar and order a cocktail each.

“To success, to our futures, to rocking the fucking shit out of that course and smashing it,” Imogen announces loudly for the whole bar to hear.

“To us,” I say with a laugh as our glasses touch.

Excitement bubbles around in my belly as we reminisce about our three years together and everything we’ve been through. I also think about the weekend ahead of me. I know that Lucas has plans for tonight, so I hope he’s not going to be too annoyed that I’m going out with my friends for a bit. He’s got me all day tomorrow and Sunday for this charity auction thing he’s taking me to. I’m excited, but I’m also a little apprehensive, because I’ve never been to anything like that before. Hell, I’ve never worn a dress like the one he bought me.

“So it’s time to spill the beans, Lills. Who’s the guy that almost had you leaving us tonight?”

“It’s just someone I met…uh…” Thankfully, Taylor arrives right on cue and plonks himself down at our table.

“Hey, chicas. I can’t believe we’re done,” he exclaims.

I’ve seen more of Taylor this week than I have done for the past year, I think. He’s been in every night surrounded by his photographs, getting everything ready for the big day.

“We are. Now to start thinking about the rest of our lives.” I try to say this with excitement but I can’t help feeling a little uneasy about it. I always thought I’d try to join Dec down south, but now there’s Lucas. It’s only been a few weeks but already I feel like leaving him would be wrong.

“Come on, have another,” Taylor says once our glasses are full.

“No, I drove. I’ll have more later.”

“I’ve got a bottle of pink bubbles chilling in our fridge.”

A couple of hours later and we are back to get ready for tonight. I hadn’t mentioned my plans to Taylor about going out with Lucas tonight because I knew I’d get grief about it.

“Uh…what’s the case for?”

“I’m going to Lucas’. It’s the charity auction this weekend, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember. Do not tell me you’re not coming out with us tonight.”

“I’m coming for a bit. I thought I’d ask him to pick me up when he’s done.”

“Lilly,” he warns. “I know you’ve fallen for him hard but you can’t flake out on us, on the last three years, for him.”

“I know. I’m coming for a bit. I’m sorry if that’s not enough, but I want to celebrate with him, too.” Taylor pouts at me and I can tell he’s not happy about it, but it’s what’s going to happen. I love my friends but I also want some much-needed time with Lucas.

“Whatever,” Taylor mutters. “I’ve got other news.”

“Oh yes,” I say excitedly, hoping that whatever it is will explain his recent attitude to life.

“I got a job!”

“OH MY GOD! Taylor, that’s amazing. Congratulations,” I say, jumping up to give him a hug. “I didn’t even know you’d started applying.”

“I hadn’t really. I saw this one and it was like my dream job, so I went for it. I didn’t think I’d hear anything back, let alone get an interview.”

“Oh my God,” I squeal again in excitement for him.

“But I got a call and I went for the interview. I didn’t get the job I applied for because I’ve got no experience, which is what I expected, but they said they were so impressed with my stuff that they wanted to offer me an assistant job that will give me the experience I need to go up the ladder in a year or two. It probably means I’m going to be spending my time getting other people coffee and doughnuts, but it’s a start. It’s such an opportunity, Lills. They do the most amazing shoots with incredible models. All the top mags have their photos in.”

“I’m so excited for you, Tay. Where is it and when do you start?” I ask, but the sudden realisation that our life as we know it is about to change dramatically makes my stomach flip.

“London.” And that one word makes my heart drop into the pits of my feet and I instantly feel bad because this is by far the most exciting this that has ever happened to him. I need to stop being so selfish and be happy for him like I should be. “I start in two weeks,” he says, slightly less excitedly.

“Two weeks! That’s so soon. Where are you going to live?”

“I’m staying with a friend.”

“A friend?” I ask, because I wasn’t aware of a friend in London.

“Yeah.”

“Male or female?”

“Male.”

“Someone you’ve slept with?”

“No, unfortunately, but I’ve tried—am trying—hard.”

“I see,” I say, wondering if this is the one who has Taylor a bit all over the place. “And you think living with him and trying to bed him is a good idea?”

“We’ll find out soon enough.”

“Well, I guess it’s time for those bubbles, then,” I announce as I head towards the fridge. It’s obvious Taylor has no intention of elaborating on the guy he’s going to be living with, so I guess I’ll have to continue to bide my time. I have every intention of visiting after he moves, so I’ll have to meet him at some point.

I’ve tried ringing Lucas to tell him about our slight change of plans for tonight, but he hasn’t answered, so in the end I send him a text with where we’re going to be so he can pick me up when he’s done.

“Did I mention that you look really good, chica?” Taylor says once we’re settled into the back of a taxi heading towards the bar where we’re meeting everyone.

“Yeah, you have, but please feel free to tell me again,” I say with a laugh.

“Lucas is good for you. I may not be impressed about you leaving with him tonight instead of staying with us, but I can see what effect he’s had on you. And I don’t just mean your body. It’s so good to see you happy again, Lilly. I would have been worried leaving if you were like before, but now I know you’re going to be okay.”

“Thanks, Tay.”

“So, tell me more about Lucas. How is he in the sack? Still insane?” I feel like I blush from head to toe at the question. “That good?” Taylor says with a smile when he sees the colour of my face.

Him questioning me about sex reminds me that I wanted to ask him something. I’m not sure the back of a taxi is the right place to have the conversation, though.

“What? Spit it out, Lills.”

“Ugh. I…uh…Lucas…” I stutter trying to work out what it is I want to say. “When we were…”

“At it, shagging, fucking, banging—”

“Yes alright, any of the above. He put his finger…” When I glance up, Taylor is biting down on his bottom lip, trying to contain a smile. “What?”

“If you’re about to ask what I think you’re about to ask, then I’m excited because I’ve been waiting for this conversation since we met,” he says with a laugh. “Go on. Where did he put it?”

“Where it hasn’t been before,” is all I can come up with that doesn’t include a massive amount of TMI in the back of this poor guy’s taxi.

“You mean up your arse,” Taylor helpfully announces.

I chance a glance up, and exactly as predicted, the taxi driver is looking back at me in his rear-view mirror with a glint in his eye.

“Ugh, Taylor,” I say as I slink down in the chair.

“What, it’s true isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“So how did it feel?”

I look back up before answering to see that the driver is now concentrating on a roundabout, so hopefully ignoring us.

“Incredible, I’ve never felt anything like it,” I say very quietly.

“OMG, right?”

“He hasn’t said anything but I’m presuming he probably wants to…you know. So I just wanted to ask you about it seeing as…”

“I like that kind of thing,” Taylor finishes my sentence with a laugh.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Do it, Lills. What’s the worst that could happen?”

“I guess. But doesn’t it hurt?”

“Yeah, at first, but then it’s out of his world. Like what you’ve experienced but even more.”

I blush at the thought. “Okay.”

“Seriously, if I can give you one bit of advice in this life, it’s always do anal.” Taylor says this so seriously my mouth falls open. Then, when I hear an “Amen,” come from the front of the taxi, I can’t help but fall about laughing at the ridiculousness of this. I think the half a bottle of bubbles helped with the giggles, mind you.

I’ve been stuck in fucking meetings all afternoon then the second I get out I’m collared by Catherine. Thankfully, she was slightly more composed than last time, but I could really do without her eye fucking me as she stood and talked at me about recruiting a new chef.

“For fuck’s sake, Lilly, answer,” I moan as I stand at the entrance to her building, ringing the buzzer.

I’m pissed off. I don’t need to be stood here waiting. I’ve waited all week while she’s been here doing her thing and I’ve been going to bed alone. Well, time’s up. She’s handed everything in; she is now mine for the weekend and I wanted it to start hours ago.

The reservations for the restaurant were for thirty minutes ago. I had to get my assistant to move them, but it’s now looking like we’re going to miss those too if she doesn’t answer the fucking door.

I jam my finger on to the button again and hold for a good minute, but still, there is no response.

I pull my phone out of my pocket to find eight missed calls and one text—all from Lilly. I guess I should have looked at that earlier.

Lilly: Going out with uni mates. Please pick me up from Perry’s when you’re finished.

For fuck’s sake. I don’t need this. What I need is to be inside Lilly, forgetting about my long-arse day.

The town centre is fucking manic with students. Clearly, it wasn’t only Lilly who finished today. It’s like the whole fucking university is out celebrating.

I eventually find somewhere to park the car before heading towards where she said she would be.

The place is packed and spilling out on to the street when I get there. I can’t see Lilly so I head inside.

It’s got to be a full five minutes before I see her golden hair catching the light with a crowd of people by the bar.

As I start heading towards her, a woman I recognise clocks me before turning to Lilly and whispering in her ear. Lilly instantly looks up and finds me. I can tell from just the look on her face that she’s drunk. It pisses me off. This was not how we were meant to spend tonight.

When the person in front of me moves, I pause for a second to take her in. She looks incredible. Her hair is curled, her eyes are wide and her cheeks are flushed with the alcohol. Her lips are bright red and they call to me. As I run my eyes down her body, I take in her flimsy, barely-there silver top and tight skinny jeans. I suddenly have the urge to take every fucker out who might have so much as looked at her.

A slow but sexy smile appears on Lilly’s face as I make my way to her. I feel some of my irritation wash away the closer I get, but when some guy comes up behind her and puts his hand on her waist, I see red. Thankfully, over the last few years I’ve managed to find a way to control it. So instead of laying the handsy fucker out, I reach for Lilly and pull her so we are chest to chest. She sways a little as she stands there, showing me just how drunk she really is.

The girl I recognise is stood looking at us with her chin practically resting on the ground.

“It’s the King?” she asks, looking between Lilly and me. Lilly bites down on her bottom lip but she doesn’t take her eyes away from mine as she nods in agreement. “Well, I didn’t see that coming. No wonder you still have your job,” she mutters.

“Let’s go,” I state and begin marching out of the bar with her hand in mine. I don’t stop or even look back. I have no intention of sharing her with all those people. My well-planned night is already ruined.

“What the hell was that?” Lilly fumes when we reach the car.

“What?” I ask. I know what the problem is, although I have no intention of explaining myself.

“You can’t just turn up out of nowhere and drag me away from my friends.”

“You told me to come and get you,” I remind her.

“Yes, but that wasn’t exactly what I meant. I would have liked to at least have said goodbye. Plus, a little warning would have been nice. I hadn’t told Imogen about us; she’s my friend, but that won’t stop us being the hot topic of conversation in the hotel by morning.”

She works for me—that’s why she was so familiar. “I couldn’t give two fucks about what people are talking about, Lilly. Let them talk.”

“Ha that’s rich,” she says, narrowing her eyes at me. “I didn’t think you liked gossip. Seeing as you spend your life trying to hide who you really are in case anyone learns about whatever it is you’re hiding.”

Her words are like a kick in the balls, because I can’t really deny that they aren’t true.

“Get in the fucking car,” I snap, staring at her. With her shoes on, we’re almost the same height. I take a step towards her but she doesn’t back down, instead continues to stare at me.

“For fuck’s sake, Lilly. You drive me crazy.” I move forward the last inch until my lips are on hers. I force my hand into her hair and my fingers hold tight to keep her in place. My tongue opens her lips to find hers. She fights for a good thirty seconds but she’s as desperate for this as I am. I lift her leg up around my waist and grind myself into her. She moans into my kiss and it only makes me harder and more desperate for her.

“Get in,” I repeat when I pull back from her. My voice is deep and gravelly even to my own ears.

This time she does as she’s told and in seconds I’m shutting the door behind her. I walk around the front of the car and rearrange myself as I go. I don’t miss that she watches every second of it.

I waste no time in having the car on the move. I need to get her somewhere quiet—and soon, before I combust. With lust or anger though, I’m not sure; they’re both simmering away on the surface ready to break free.

“I’m hungry,” Lilly complains, distracting me from my thoughts. “Can you stop and get me a burger?”

“What?”

“Oh come on, posh boy. Just swing by McDonald’s; it’s not that far out of our way.”

I glance over at her to see she’s being serious. Brilliant.

I change lanes and head towards the retail park that has a drive thru.

I pull up in front of a huge speaker as someone asks what I would like. I look over at Lilly, because I have no fucking clue.

“Um…I’ll have a quarter pounder with cheese meal with a strawberry milkshake and a Flake McFlurry. Oh, and six McNuggets.” I look at her for a few seconds like she just spoke to me in a different language. I turn to try to relay her order when she adds, “Don’t forget the BBQ sauce.” Fuck me, this is new.

“Can we have a…McPounder cheese meal—” I get interrupted by laughter next to me, which pisses me off.

“Let me do it,” she says as she leans over towards the speaker. The only thing that makes this whole experience bearable is that she palms my dick through my trousers while placing her order. When she’s done, she sits back in her seat and puts her seatbelt back on. “What?” she asks innocently. “You need to drive to the next window to pay.”

I do as I’m told and put the car back in gear. When we get to the window, there’s a young girl stood there with a headset on, waiting for us. It’s impossible to miss the amused smirk on her face.

“Please excuse him. He’s too posh for a place like this. I mean, just look at the car!” Lilly announces before I even get a chance to pull my wallet out to pay. She thrusts her hand across me at the woman, who is now laughing, and takes the note from her hand.

I sit there stunned as Lilly takes her change and sits back like nothing happened.

“Next window,” she instructs.

“Was that necessary?” I ask.

“Well, it’s true. Have you ever been to a McDonald’s before, or a drive thru?”

“No.”

“Exactly—too posh for fast food. I can’t believe you didn’t even go when you were in London.”

“I’m not too posh for fast food. I would have been extremely grateful for it when I was a child; I’d have been grateful for any food I could get my hands on. And when I lived in London, it was no different. What we ate was usually free from a skip.” I don’t realise the words fall from my mouth until I see the look on her face.

“I’m so sorry,” she immediately says. “I was just having a laugh.” The mortified look on her face makes me feel a little better about her banter. I do know that she was only messing about. I’m also aware that if I had manned up before now and told her the truth, she wouldn’t put her foot in it like she just did.

I swallow down my unease of even considering having that conversation when a huge brown bag gets thrust in my face.

“Thank you,” Lilly says politely as she takes the bag and then the tray of drinks. She must see me look at it questioningly. “I figured you’d never had one when you tried ordering, so I ordered double. I thought we could experience you having your first McDonald’s together. Only clause is we have to eat it in the car.”

“You want to eat that in my car? This car?” I ask, horrified by the thought.

“Yes.”

“Do you have any idea how much this car cost?”

“No clue, posh boy. Now take us somewhere nice—it’s getting cold.”

Even though she’s brought up memories I’d rather keep locked away, a drunk Lilly is kind of funny. She cares less about what she says and it’s nice to know she’s not holding anything back, saying what she really thinks.

I pull up into a deserted car park that looks out over the countryside. It’s usually full of ramblers and dog walkers but this time of night there’s no one to be seen.

Lilly immediately rips open the brown bag and starts handing stuff over to me. I can’t lie, I’m fucking starving. I haven’t eaten since this morning, knowing we had reservations, but that all went to shit pretty quickly. So instead of a nice restaurant with award-winning food, I find myself sat in my car eating fast food. I hate to admit it, but I actually enjoy it. Although, that may have more to do with the company than the actual food.