When she finally looked at her reflection in the mirror, there was an excited gleam in her eyes that made her hesitate for a few seconds.

Then she was walking into the sitting room, feeling like a teenager on her first date.

He hadn‟t sat down. He was standing by the window, half looking out, his hand in his jacket pocket, and he turned as soon as she walked in.

„Better?‟ Mattie asked nervously. Her! Nervous! „Or should I wear my diamond tiara?‟

„The tiara might be just a little too much,‟ Dominic told her gravely, but heavens, she looked edible. The shorter hair suited her, gave her a tailored beauty that was even more alluring.

„So,‟ he murmured as soon as they were in his car and heading out towards Chiswick, „no more Frankie?‟

„No more Frankie.‟

„Pleased?‟ He wished he could watch her, see the expressions on her face so that he could gauge what was going through her mind, but he needed to concentrate on the road and she was far too much of a distraction for sensible driving.

„Yes and no.‟

„What does that mean?‟ His hands tightened on the wheel but he kept his voice low and steady.

„Things weren‟t right between us. I mean, it‟s good that…that we‟ve both reached the same conclusion, but…he was a big part of my life for such a long time that it takes some getting used to…‟ Mattie cleared her throat. „He let me have the use of his house until I found somewhere of my own, and guess what…?‟

„What?‟ A twinge of guilt made his jaw tighten but it only lasted a second.

„I‟ve been offered a job and…‟ she paused to add drama to what she was about to say next „…part of the deal is that they‟ve offered me an apartment! Can you believe it? I couldn‟t, to start with, but this company is spearheading a marketing campaign for a massive complex in south London. Apartments, health facilities, shops, the lot! And while they‟re involved in the marketing, there‟s a perk afforded to some of the employees of an apartment on site. I can‟t believe how it all happened at just the right time. Isn‟t it fantastic?‟

„Fantastic.‟ Another twinge of guilt but he consoled himself with the thought that she would have got there anyway. She had the dedication or else how could she have persevered with her course against all odds? And she had the talent. Top of her course from the minute she had stepped foot in the classroom.

„You don‟t sound very pleased for me.‟ And for some reason, that was hurtful.

„I‟m incredibly pleased for you,‟ Dominic said abruptly. „How did Frankie react after I had gone?‟

„Not as I‟d expected, actually. You don‟t think I‟m capable of doing this job, do you?‟

„If you‟re capable of studying by day and working nights, then you‟re capable of becoming the next prime minister.‟

„Yes, well, I‟ll think about that. Although I don‟t suppose my background would work in my favour.‟

„What do you mean that he didn‟t react as you‟d expected?‟

„He wasn‟t jealous. Just sort of resigned, really. In fact, he was the one who dumped me.‟

Which was better, Dominic thought. That way, she would never wonder what might have been, and he didn‟t want her wondering what might have been. He wanted her free, free for him.

The restaurant appeared in front of them without him even realising that they had arrived.

It was quaintly old-fashioned on the outside, but as they walked in he heard her brief intake of breath as she absorbed the luxurious surroundings. A lot of glass, a lot of chrome, home of the beautiful people who felt more virtuous when they were eating fish as opposed to meat.

„Don‟t say it,‟ he warned, leaning towards her so that his breath was a warm whisper in her ear.

„Don‟t say what?‟

„That this isn‟t the sort of place you‟re used to.‟

„This isn‟t the sort of place I‟m used to,‟ she informed him, dutifully. But no one would have guessed. Heads turned, but there was just curiosity there, the curiosity at seeing two good-looking people entering a restaurant, and Mattie felt as if she had somehow taken a step into the bright new future lying in front of her like a Christmas parcel waiting to be unwrapped.

And when she caught Dominic‟s eye she felt as though he had read her mind and was amused at the conclusions she was reaching. That the lines between people had only ever been in her head. Weird.

Then they were fussed over, shown to their table, handed menus that were like scrolls and required rolling down.

„Mmm. Scallop mousse!‟ Mattie feigned sophistication. „Halibut, seared, with a drizzle of wild-mushroom compote! All my favourites!‟

Dominic sat back and looked at her with amusement. He could have watched her forever.

And, under that languid gaze, Mattie felt suddenly and unexpectedly shy. Where had the tough, hostile woman gone? He certainly hadn‟t changed. He was still out of her league and she told herself firmly that it would be better all round if she remembered that.

„So,‟ he said lazily, „halibut, seared, with the mushroom compote today. What

tomorrow?‟

„You must think I‟m a little ridiculous. All this fuss just because I‟m getting out there in the real world. Well, not real, but…‟

„You‟re grabbing your opportunities. Nothing ridiculous about that.‟

„I guess the women…you socialise with have never had that dilemma.‟ Mattie smiled and was relieved when his attention was diverted by the arrival of the waiter to take their orders.

„No,‟ Dominic said truthfully. „Most of them are just content to squander their opportunities. Naturally, I meet women in the course of work, career women who have worked damned hard to make their way to the top, women who command respect at the highest level, but equally I meet those whose ambition in life is to meet and marry a rich man who can support their extensive shopping habit for the rest of their lives.‟

„And which do you prefer?‟ Mattie asked curiously.

It was a question that was spared an answer as wine was brought to their table, the Chablis he had promised, and poured into glasses.

„I don‟t categorise the women I find attractive.‟

„Well, that‟s a non-answer if ever I heard one,‟ Mattie said dismissively, and Dominic grinned. „And don‟t forget we made a deal…‟

„A deal?‟

„That‟s right.‟ She finished her glass of wine and watched as he poured her another.

Mattie had never been much of a drinker. She could feel the first glass go pleasantly to her head, eating away at the nervousness she had felt earlier on.