Andrea has been texting me all day, apologizing for not being around in my time of need. Promising she’ll make it up to me soon. And then my phone lights up again. Multiple messages from Danny flood in:

Before I can reply to that, another message shows up:

Aw, bless Danny. I’m relieved he’s not still upset with me. And surprised that he’s already back in town after the silent retreat. He wasn’t due back until Sunday. But what did he mean by Jackson was acting weird?

I have still received nothing from Jackson even though I’ve sent him three messages over the last twenty-four hours. I start to text him again but then stop myself. I’ll wait until tonight and get some advice from the others. As a matter of fact, I can’t wait to see Danny again and grill him about what exactly transpired between him and Jackson.

“What do you mean he was acting weird?” I ask.

Danny shrugs. He’s looking super cute tonight with his beard all trimmed nicely and wearing a blue tweed flat cap. “He just seemed a bit aloof. Not that friendly.”

“I don’t think he likes me anymore,” I say, my heart sinking. “It’s funny how the love potion ended up having the opposite effect. Inadvertently.”

“I can’t believe you accused him of making Draco sick, though,” he says, grimacing.

Draco’s ears prick up at the mention of his name but he’s soon dozing again, in his position snuggled between Danny and me on the sofa.

“I know… it makes me cringe now when I think about it,” I say, stroking Draco softly. “He seemed fine about it at the time though. He forgave me for the love potion, said he was falling for me. But now nothing.”

“Have you tried knocking on his door?”

I sigh. “I tried a couple of times, but he was out both times. I know he’s working loads at the moment as well. He’s trying to get his apartment refurb finished, and I saw him out with his parents last night.”

“Didn’t you speak to him?”

“I don’t think he saw me. And anyway, I was with this guy from work. It would have been awkward.”

“What guy from work?”

I tell him about Matthew and how our team will be working with him for a while and Danny gushes with excitement for me. But then I suddenly realize, I’m doing it again. “Enough about me! Tell me more about you and Feather! You didn’t enjoy the silent retreat then?”

“It was not really the right circumstances, you know…”

I’m laughing. “That’s what Nina and I were saying the other night! It must be the worst place to go with someone you like.”

“It was,” he says. “In fact…we were asked to leave.”

“Really?” I gasp, starting to laugh. “Oh, wow! I guess they take the whole being silent thing pretty seriously then.”

“I was I to know the walls were paper thin?”

I laugh. “Only you can go to silent retreat and keep everybody up all night listening to you screwing.”

“They should be thankful for the free entertainment.”

I giggle at the thought. “By the way what did you want to tell me before you left?”

“I got the funding to start my new business venture,” he says, a note of pride in his voice.

“Wow! That’s awesome! Congratulations, Danny! I’m so proud of you,” I gush. I am happy for him, but I am also feeling more than a little relieved. Yay! Danny didn’t want me to move out.

Danny preens.

“So you finally found someone to sponsor you, huh?”

“Yes, and you’ll never guess who.”

I stare at him blankly. I have no idea. The only person I can think of is Danny’s estranged millionaire uncle but I know that’s ridiculous. He’s been hiding out in some Caribbean island ever since being investigated for tax fraud. I give up and shake my head.

“Andrea!” He grins. “Can you believe it? My old archenemy.”

“Wow, that’s amazing! I didn’t realize she was that loaded.”

“Apparently, so. She showed an interest in the project so I showed her my business plan and all my notes last weekend. She absolutely loved the idea and wanted to get involved.”

It made sense. It was totally her thing. Yoga combined with charity, but the business side of things. Perfect for Andrea.

“I’m so glad you guys are finally getting on.” I smile wistfully. I can’t help remembering that I had missed all of this last weekend because I’d been with my sexy neighbor.

“I’m sorry things have gone a bit pear-shaped for you and Jackson.” Danny squeezes my hand. “But I’m sure it’s not too late. Why don’t you try and talk to him in person?”

“I want to. It’s just everything’s been so crazy this week. What with Draco and work stuff going on.”

“Don’t be a chicken.” He tuts at me. “I can tell how much you want to see him. It’s written all over your face! And he lives a door away. So you can’t even pretend that it’s some big hardship to make contact.”

“He thinks I’m crazy and he hasn’t replied to any of my texts,” I protest. “It’s hardly a good sign, is it? Anyway, we’re going to be late for the girls. We should head out. Is Feather coming?”

“She might join us later.” He smiles, winking. “Bet you can’t wait to meet her, huh?”

“You bet your bottom dollar.”

We grab our jackets and run out of the door. I can’t help glancing hopefully at Jackson’s door, but I know he’s most probably not in anyway. But before I know it, Danny has run up to his door and bangs on it a couple of times.

“What are you doing?” I whisper fiercely.

“No harm in trying,” he replies innocently, as he runs past me and jumps into his car. “See you at the bar.”

I check my phone. It’s just gone nine o’clock. There’s no way he’s in, I think to myself, but the door swings open. And there he is. Irresistibly gorgeous, as always.

“Hey!” I greet awkwardly. I’m totally not prepared for this.

“Hey, how are you?” he says but his eyes are distant.

“I’m really sorry about the other night,” I tell him. “I know I acted like a lunatic and everything… I’m just crazy about Draco really. The thought of losing him got to me.”

He softens slightly with hint of a smile. “It’s ok. I understand, I’m just glad he’s ok. Thanks for texting me and letting me know.”

“Yeah…” I say and then I take a deep breath. “So, any reason why you never replied?”

He frowns. Looks down. “I’m sorry. I should have replied. If I’m honest, I’ve had a lot of my own stuff going on. With work, my parents, this weekend in Tahoe I have coming up with the guys.”

“Go on…” I prompt. This doesn’t sound like a man who is falling in love with someone. These sound like excuses. My heart is pounding and I’m scared. It feels so wrong that last weekend we spent so much time together and just five days later, I’m standing in his driveway having such a formal conversation with him.

“I’m just not sure if we’re on the same page,” he says, his jaw tight, a muscle ticking in his cheek. “I think I’m looking for something more serious than you are. I’m just not really into dating lots of people at the same time.”

“Neither am I!” I shoot back instantly. “I’m not like that at all!”

He looks up at me again, studying my face.

I suddenly know exactly what he’s talking about. “You did see me Thursday night!” I gasp.

“I’d have been blind not to,” he says harshly.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say hello.”

“Yeah, it looked like you were on a date with another guy.” There is a bitter expression on his face.

“No,” I almost shout. “Not at all. He’s a colleague from work,” I explain in a jumble how about how he is from Mr. Montfort’s company and how we had to work together that day. And we were both starving so we went for a quick meal.

He’s standing there, taking it all in, looking at me earnestly with those gorgeous eyes. Then he takes a few steps towards me. “He’s just a work colleague?”

I nod vigorously. “Cross my heart and hope to die.”

He smiles. Finally. Dimples appearing. “I’m sorry I doubted you, but seeing you with that guy made my blood boil. I stopped thinking. I wanted to sprint over there and knock his teeth in. I’ve been like a bear with a sore head ever since.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t come and say hello. I wanted to. But I didn’t know if it would be weird after how I acted the other night. And with your parents there too.” I grimace, thinking about how awful it must have looked.

He takes my hand. “Want to come in for a…er…drink?”

“I’d love to come in for a…er…drink, but I’m meant to be meeting my friends,” I say, distinctly remembering Andrea’s demand for a girl’s only night, but Danny did say Feather might be going along… “You wanna join?” I ask him, sheepishly.

“I thought you’d never ask.” He lips curve upwards sexily. “But you’re forgetting something.”

“Huh?”

He tightens his hold on my hand tugs me towards him. I slam into his body and his mouth crushes my mine in a passionate kiss. Oh God, how I have missed this. I wrap my arms around his body and drink up his scent as I kiss him back deeply.

“Now we’re ready,” he says, as he pulls away, leaving me speechless and as ever, wanting more. His eyes are dark with desire. “But we better leave quickly or I’m going to have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you inside for that…er…drink.”

“You throw me over your shoulder anytime you like,” I say, “Apart from when I’m going out with my friends.”

“I suppose I could stick to those rules,” he says with a wink.

I giggle and grabbing his hand, pull him towards the steps. As much as I’d love him to drag me inside right now, I’m already so late. I figure Danny gave up waiting and went on ahead.

Hell, I feel intoxicated already. On life, on Jackson, on everything!