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Tara’s face blanched ‘He actually turned up?’

‘That’s right He—’

‘For God’s sake’ Tara put the glass doith a hand which was far from steady ‘Come round here and sit down I’ll make you a coffee’

‘I don’t want any coffee’ But Erin walked behind the bar all the sa her a cup anyway She watched her grinding beans and driving steam into the small cup, and forced herself to take a sip of the espresso which was pushed fir the counter towards her

‘So, what happened?’ asked Tara

Briefly, Erin explained—though it sounded like the plot of an old film as she recounted how Di her back to his place to lay down the law

‘He did that?’ questioned Tara shakily

‘He did’ Erin’s voice was griet to know him’ And suddenly it wasn’t quite so easy to stay focused Suddenly, it was all too easy to see how proble back in an hour and he wants me packed and ready’

‘Packed and ready for what?’

‘You’re not going to believe me if I tell you’

‘Try me’

Erin wriggled shoulders which were stiff with tension ‘He’s taking me to Jazratan It’s a country in the Middle East—one of the richest of the desert states, as it happens He thinks we ought to get to know each other better before he’s introduced to Leo’

Tara frowned ‘And what’s that supposed to mean?’

‘I don’t know’ Beads of sweat broke out on Erin’s brow and she brushed them aith the back of her hand She told herself she didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to But that was the trouble With Di ever was Whenever she looked at his which were forbidden Things she was never going to have Things she didn’t even believe in And she’d ht she’d been in love when she’d woken up in his bed that ot her His look of shock and horror had stripped away all her stupid delusions Her grand passion had gone the way of all grand passions—it had burnt itself out before it had even had the chance to get started It had reinforced everything she’d always known about letting your heart rule your head—and no as she going to repeat that mistake Her life hadn’t been easy since she’d handed in her notice—but at least she hadn’t had to live with the unbearable pain of heartbreak