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She gave him an odd look. ‘You really mean that, don’t you?’

‘I do. You’re very special, Mia. You deserve your happy ever after.’

‘Special? Yeah right,’ she scoffed. ‘Bet you found someone to replace me pretty fast.’

‘What?’ His brain did a double take.

‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.’

‘Probably not.’

They walked into the little car park together, and he stopped by his bike.

‘Thanks again, Aiden.’

He probably – almost definitely – shouldn’t have said it. But his tongue took leave of his senses. ‘Hey, Mia? I didn’t.’

‘Really?’

‘Really.’ He should have left it then and there. Should have waved to her and shoved his helmet onto his head to stop himself talking. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. ‘And if you ever need reminding of how truly spectacular you are – and how much you’re worth – you know where I am.’

‘Are you being serious right now?’ Her eyes locked with his.

‘Nope. Not in the least. That’s the point, right?’ His fingers tightened, digging into the padding of his helmet.

‘Right. Just another… friendly favour.’

‘And we are friends.’

‘It’s not like it would change anything…’ she mused. ‘Because nothing has changed. No prince charmings or goth princesses yet.’

‘Not a black tutu in sight.’

‘Although one thing did change…’

‘Oh?’

Mia leaned over his bike. ‘We found out that sex between us is really, really good. And that we can have fun and stay friends.’

‘True.’

‘Should we? What do you think?’

‘I think I want you to spell things out for me please, to make sure the next thing I say isn’t stupid or insulting or both.’

‘I think you’d have to try quite hard to be stupid, Aiden. And I don’t think you’re naturally given to insulting people either.’ The smile she gave him was as warm as sunshine. ‘But if you want it simply: we had great fun together, and stayed friends. And maybe I could do with a reminder. So, would you like to get together this Friday for something resembling a repeat of that… previous Friday favour?’

‘I really would.’ He had a feeling his smile matched hers.

‘Good.’ She giggled. ‘Because I didn’t actually get a chance to examine your artwork.’

‘Now I think of it, I still don’t know how far your freckles go.’

‘So, this Friday then?’

‘I’d really like that. Only, could it be a bit later? It’s just that dinner at home thing is a standing arrangement. If I came over later, I could stay longer.’

‘Later would be good. Give me a chance to get home and relax a bit. And I like the sound of “longer”…’ If she thought there was anything odd in him essentially inviting himself to her home, she didn’t comment. ‘I guess I’ll see you Friday then. If not sooner.’