We pile back into my house after a busy afternoon of painting at Danny’s project.

“Thanks, everyone,” Danny yells. “You guys are the best! And special thanks to Jackson who did the majority of the work. Those muscles, wow!”

“Hey!” I exclaim. “Andrea and I worked just as hard!”

“But we don’t look as good in a tight T-shirt,” Andrea says, winking and looking over to Jackson.

He had just turned up to help, which made me feel proud, happy and grateful. I laugh, “Oh, Danny, is it true?” I tease him.

He turns a little pink and says, with a grin. “Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous!”

“Glad to hear I’m not just a sex object!” Jackson says, putting his hands on his hips and looking exactly like a sex object. He looked exceptionally sexy today, his tight t-shirt and ample biceps splattered with white paint. So deliciously blue collar, working man, delectable.

“Oh, you’re definitely my sex object,” I say, and Andrea groans audibly in the background.

Jackson winks at me then moves forward to shake Danny’s hand. “I’m gonna head back to my place for a bit. I need to wash this paint off me before tonight. Good luck, man.”

“Thanks again, dude,” Danny responds, as he enthusiastically pumps his hand.

Jackson turns to me and brushes his lips against my forehead. “I’ll pick you up at seven, gorgeous.”

I check my phone. “It’s five-thirty already. Shit, I need to get moving.”

“Me too,” Andrea agrees, with a wicked look in her eyes.

“Ricardo?” I ask.

She nods slyly, blows me a kiss and is out of the door before I can ask any more questions.

“Can’t believe what a dark horse she turned out to be,” I say to Danny.

“Yeah, speaking of dark horses,” he says. “I’ve decided to end it with Feather.”

“Oh, no, I’m sorry. How come?”

“When I found out she stole the cupcake with the love potion, at first I thought it was funny. But when I thought about it a bit more, I was shocked.”

“I did think it was a bit… shady,” I say gently.

“A bit shady? She stole from you! Something which was worth four hundred dollars at the least, and possibly love at the most. For selfish reasons, too. I take it she didn’t offer to give you the money back?”

I shake my head.

“And her not turning up today was the final straw,” he says, and then pauses. “Well, that and the sex wasn’t really doing it for me anymore either…”

“I was a little surprised,” I say to him. “I was wondering if maybe she did give the lovecake to you after all.”

“Oh, God, can you imagine?” he cracks up. “How dreadful!

“But you weren’t being very subtle about lusting over Jackson, so I guess that proves it.”

“Oh, I’ve definitely still got it, darling.” he winks and grabs his phone. Scrolls through the messages until the name Darren Handyman comes up, the new maintenance guy for our building, with a message far saucier than I ever would have given him credit for!

“Danny and Darren, eh?” I say, smiling. “He is cute, I’ll give you that.” I suddenly glance at my phone. “Eek, it’s almost six.”

“So…” Danny yells, running to my bedroom. “It’s the night for Jessica Rabbit to come out.” He flings open my wardrobe doors and pulls out the gorgeous dazzling red number. “Oh wow,” he mutters. “I can’t wait to see you in this incredible get up.”

“Yeah,” I say. “I can’t believe I’ve finally got a chance to wear it.”

“What bag?” he asks. “And which shoes?” He starts rummaging through my wardrobe, discarding items on the floor. A boot comes flying out and I move to avoid it. He turns to look at me. “What are you standing there for? Go and shower and I’ll sort out the accessories,” he orders.

I nod and jump to it.