Page 112 of Take a Chance on Me

‘I’m so sorry.’

They spoke at the same time, both breaking off into a second of silence while they waited for the other to continue.

But a second was enough. The quiet of the cupboard was broken by twin beeps.

Bridget sighed and pulled her phone out of the hidden side-pocket in her dress. ‘It’s Emma.’

She looked up at him, a question in her voice.

Cooper checked his own phone, nodding in confirmation.

They read the message at the same time.

It didn’t take long.

Don’t you dare leave that dinner without having kissed

Another message:

This is purely for selfish reasons

Message three:

I can’t move on and be happy knowing you aren’t together because of me

And one final ping:

No excuses! You’ve wasted enough time (mine included!) FIND EACH OTHER AND SAY WHAT YOU REALLY THINK! Oh, and have a wonderful evening. I love you both xx

Bridget looked at him, still gripping her phone. Tears began to spill over and tumble down her cheeks. Somehow she managed to keep smiling. ‘So. Big sister’s orders. What do you think?’

Cooper took a step forwards, gently placing one hand on the exquisite spot where her jawline met her neck. He took a slow breath. His heart pounded against his ribcage, but, for the first time in forever, Cooper felt an overwhelming sense of calm.

‘I think that I was born to love you.’

She tipped her head, resting her cheek against his palm. ‘I think that I’ve been waiting for this moment for seven years,’ she whispered. ‘My whole life.’

Then, for the second time whilst Bridget Donovan cried in a cleaning cupboard, Cooper leant across and gently kissed her.

This time, she didn’t pull away, leaving him to be the one to eventually break off the kiss.After what felt like a lifetime later, Cooper stepped back.

‘I think I might ask Prof Lavinski for a job and move down to Bristol.’

Bridget grasped both his lapels, tugging him close again. ‘I think that would be a really good idea.’

He was the one to break off the kiss for the second time, causing Bridget to let out a squeak of annoyance.

He rested his forehead against hers. ‘Will you marry me?’ A ridiculous question, but Cooper couldn’t help himself.

‘I thought you’d never ask.’ She pulled back, laughing. ‘Genuinely, up until those messages, I really thought you’d never be able to ask me.’

‘You haven’t answered yet.’

‘Hmmm…’ She pressed one finger to her lips, pretending to think. ‘We probably ought to check how compatible we are, first. Maybe we should try the Cole Compatibility Function.’

‘I already did.’ Cooper’s eyes danced. ‘We scored 23 per cent.’

‘Well, it beats the woman who wanted to marry a hobbit. I guess I’d better say yes.’

Not for the first and most definitely not for the last time, Patrick Charles Cooper agreed with Dr Bridget Donovan 100 per cent.