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‘No. You’re perfect.’ He caught her fingers and kissed their tips, making her blush. Bloody hell. After what they’d done last night she blushed at that.

She sat quietly with her drink, absent-mindedly petting Ruby, who had come scrounging for titbits, while he sorted through his thoughts from the night before.

Eventually, he felt like he’d shuffled them into something close enough to order. ‘So, the Maverick-slash-Ryan thing?’

‘Yeah?’ She smiled at him, encouraging.

‘Maverick was the screen name I used when I first started uploading content ten or so years ago. It was something fun to do to distract me from the string of fairly rubbish jobs I had after finishing my studies. And I thought Maverick sounded cool, and a bit clever, and that it would make me stand out like I was something special. In honesty, I was a bit of an arrogant idiot. Don’t worry, I’m not expecting you to argue with me.’ He shook his head at himself. ‘You know how every school has a class clown? That kid who’s a bit cheeky, and rude, and irreverent, but just smart enough to walk the line between funny and getting into serious trouble?’

‘That was you, wasn’t it?’

‘Yup. For most of my life. Then I made a few videos and stuck them online, and people seemed to like them. I made some more, and then more, and somehow I ended up in the right place, filming the right thing at the right time, with the right opinions that everyone else seemed to agree with — and I ended up going viral. “Maverick” stopped being just a screen name, and blew up into an entire brand, one that’s pretty valuable, and has been really good to me. I found an agent who gave me the right advice and support to turn those first few videos into a full-on career as an influencer. It’s set me up really well for life, and meant I could buy my flat and car, and not really worry about money.’

‘Sounds nice.’ Angela sounded wistful for a moment, and again he wondered how expensive running Bill’s was. ‘Why do I feel like there’s a “but” coming?’

‘Maybe because you pay attention.’ He fidgeted with his cup. ‘But sometimes, especially in these last few weeks, I’ve started to wonder if being “Maverick” is all it’s cracked up to be. If it’s who I really want to be anymore.’

‘How do you mean?’ She rested her chin on her hand, giving him her full attention.

‘Like taking risks I’m not always comfortable with, doing things I probably shouldn’t, and making decisions I’m not totally happy with — all because I’m trying to keep up with the brand. And I know it’s the brand I created, but, for a while, I’ve been starting to think that it’s gotten so big that it’s grown a life and personality of its own, one that really isn’t me. And that hasn’t bothered me until recently. I was happy to play the role.’

‘So what happened recently?’

‘You did.’ He answered honestly. ‘When I’m here at Bill’s, I feel different. More grounded. Like this is the most real place I’ve ever been.’

‘Well, you can’t get much more real than mucking out donkeys and cleaning cages. The ferrets alone will ground anyone pretty quickly.’ Her eyes sparkled with amusement.

‘It’s not just the animals,’ he added, feeling nervous. ‘It’s you too, Angela. You make me feel more grounded too. I suspected, the day I met you, that you weren’t going to put up with any nonsense from me, and you didn’t. You’ve held me accountable for my actions, but in a way that was kind, and supportive, and gave me the space to take a long, hard look at myself. You’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met.’

He paused. ‘Last night — us — it meant something to me, because I really, really like you, Angela. And I wanted it to be real. That’s why I told you my real name. Does that make sense?’

‘Yeah, it does. And, for the record, I really like you too, Ryan.’

‘You do?’

‘Yeah, I do.’

‘Does that mean you might agree to go out with me?’

‘Like on a date?’

Ryan shrugged. ‘I know we’ve done things a bit backward, but yes, sort of. I’d love to take you out.’

‘Yes please.’ Angela giggled. ‘But I do have one question. What do you have in mind? Because I’ve seen some of your videos, and there is no way I’m up for any of your daredevil activities, and I don’t think leg braces and crutches are club wear.’

‘So I should cancel the abseiling then?’ He chuckled at her expression. ‘That sounds more like a Maverick date to me. I was thinking something a bit simpler. How about you, me, a roaring fire somewhere, a stack of crunchy roast potatoes, and whatever it is you eat instead of roast beef? Tomorrow?’

‘Sunday lunch sounds lovely. Do you want me to give the Brockle’s Retreat a call? They get pretty busy, so it’s a good idea to book.’

‘As lovely as I’m sure that would be, maybe somewhere a little further afield? Where it can be just you and me?’

‘Sounds good.’