Nick tried repeatedly to draw Sabrina into conversation during the limo ride over to the studio. She had smiled at him politely and became immediately absorbed in her Blackberry, tap tapping away with her perfectly manicured nails. They were buffed and neatly trimmed but without polish.

She was a class act, through and through.

"You don't like lacquer?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You don't wear a lot of makeup or nail lacquer."

"Oh."

She stared at her hand briefly.

"It doesn't seem worth the bother. Or time."

This was killing him. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss the complacent look off her face. He knew now that he had made a serious miscalculation on that first telly appearance. He was really struggling to gain any ground with her, no matter how thick he poured on the charm. She simply shut him out, no matter what he did.

Worse yet, he'd hurt her. Why didn't she just yell at him some more and get it over with?

Then he could get around to making it up to her.

But she'd just gone back to what she was doing, not even looking out the window to check out the sights.

"Have you been to London before?"

She shook her head without looking up. Damn it. Obviously she was determined to hold him at arm’s length.

They rode the rest of the way in silence. She didn't say a word as she followed him into the studio.

When he went on he was ready. He'd made sure to tell Graham ahead of time to bring up the new girlfriend angle. Now he was starting to wonder if it had been a mistake.

Use it or lose it, Nicky-boy.

He walked onto the set with a big smile.

Too late now.

Graham didn't waste a lot of time before getting to the point. Nick had already plugged the tour, mentally ticking off all of Sabrina's talking points. Now it was time to lob the ball back into her court.

"So, I hear you have a new lady. Tell us Nick, is it true?"

He shook his head sadly. "No, mate. I wish that were the case. The lady in question is not interested in me."

Graham laughed.

"Are you serious? I can't believe that the great Nick Falcon has woman problems."

"That's just it, mate. She doesn't believe that a guy like me could be a good bet."

"A good bet for what- boyfriend? Husband?"

"If I would be so lucky."

Graham shook his head.

"You've been down that road before, Nick. Three times to be exact."

"Yeah, but this is different. Those were really just long one-night stands. This girl… she's the real thing. Besides, I've finally got… what do you call it? Oh right. I've got maturity."

The audience laughed. He sighed in relief when they went to break. It had gone well. He was certain that Sabrina would be impressed with him now. He walked to the wings expecting to see a smile on her face. Instead she looked pale and tired.

"I fixed it."

She shut her eyes and slowly shook her head in exasperation.

"What is it, love? Aren't you glad I set the record straight?"

"No Nick, you just made it worse. It doesn't matter anyway. Just focus on the music. This is about you, not me."

"Of course it matters. You are a great rep. I've never had better."

"That's nice of you to say."

She didn't believe a word of it. Not that he blamed her. He couldn't give up though.

"So does that mean you'll have dinner with me?

She shook her head.

"Come on love, I promise to get us a tour bus instead of flying all over Europe."

That had her attention.

"Really?"

He leaned in close and smiled at her. She looked so adorably hopeful.

"IF you have dinner with me. We can even take the bloody boat back to NY. A private train car back to LA. No more flying sweetheart, I promise. Just have dinner with me."

She smiled at him sadly.

"Another time, Mr. Falcon."

"Nick."

"Alright. Nick. I'm just going to get a cab back to the hotel. I'll see you later."

She looked so defeated. His sexy little spitfire was gone. He felt a knife twisting in his gut. It was his fault. All his fault.

As usual.

"But you will have dinner with me. Another time. After the concert."

She smiled but it looked painful.

Her voice was soft as she murmured "Whatever you want."

A few days ago that answer would have made him ecstatic. Now it just made him sad.

And then she was gone.

He was staring blindly out the window of the limo when he got the text.

His heart started pounding. Had she just-

Dear god. She had.

But they were stuck in traffic.

He practically lunged forward to knock on the glass partition.

Marley looked alarmed as the driver rolled down the glass and looked backward at him.

"I'll give you a thousand pounds if you can get us to the hotel in fifteen minutes."