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‘Don’t jinx it,’ Jake said, but he was smiling. ‘We’ve still got months of work ahead. Anything could happen.’

What happened was that the team hit their stride.

With the foundation secure, they could work faster, more confidently. The roof replacement accelerated. The verandah posts went up in a week. Interior framing progressed steadily.

Amelia found herself with more responsibility. Jake had started assigning her to supervise work crews, trusting her judgment on technical decisions. Tom worked under her direction sometimes, following her instructions without question.

‘You’re a natural site supervisor,’ Jake told her one evening as they reviewed the day’s progress. ‘The crew respects you. You see problems before they become critical. You’re not afraid to make decisions.’

‘Good teacher,’ Amelia said. The phrase had become their private joke.

‘No,’ Jake insisted. ‘This is you. Your skills, your leadership. I just gave you the tools. You’re using them brilliantly.’

They were alone in the site office; plans spread between them as usual. Six p.m. everyone else gone, just the two of them in the golden afternoon light.

Jake looked up at her, and the intensity in his blue eyes made her breath catch. ‘Amelia—’

‘What if I think we’ve been patient enough?’ she continued. ‘What if I think six weeks of dancing around this is plenty? What if I want you to stop being noble and just let our relationship develop?’

‘You’re not making this easy,’ Jake said, his voice rough.

‘Good,’ Amelia said. ‘Why should I be the only one suffering?’

Jake stood abruptly, and suddenly they were very close, the air between them electric.

‘I meant what I said about doing this properly. So I’m asking you formally, in front of witnesses tomorrow, if you want, clearly and honestly: Amelia Morgan, when this project is finished, and we’re not working together every day, would you have dinner with me? A real date, proper restaurant, the whole romantic evening?’

Amelia smiled. ‘Yes. Absolutely yes.’

‘Good,’ Jake said. ‘That’s settled. We’ll do it properly. When the pub opens, after the celebration, we’ll go somewhere nice, and I’ll take you to dinner like a civilised human being instead of a builder covered in sawdust.’

‘That’s weeks away,’ Amelia protested.

‘I know,’ Jake agreed. ‘But it gives us something to look forward to. A proper beginning after all this work is done.’

‘You’re still being noble,’ Amelia accused.

‘Maybe,’ Jake admitted. ‘But I’m also being honest. I don’t want our relationship to start in the middle of this chaos. I want it to start fresh, when we can give it proper attention.’

‘That’s—’ Amelia paused. ‘Actually, really sweet.’

‘Plus,’ Jake added, his voice dropping lower, ‘anticipation makes everything better. And I’ve been anticipating this for months. A few more won’t kill me.’

‘You’re absolutely certain?’ Amelia asked.

‘Absolutely certain that I want to date you properly? Yes. Absolutely certain I can wait a few more months to do it right? Also, yes.’ He smiled. ‘Are you disappointed?’

‘A little,’ Amelia admitted. ‘But also—I understand. And you’re right. We should do this properly.’

‘Doesn’t mean I’m not dying to kiss you right now,’ Jake said.

‘Then kiss me,’ Amelia said simply.

Jake shook his head. ‘One kiss three weeks ago. That was our agreement. Next kiss is when we’re on our first proper date. Makes it special.’

‘You’re impossible,’ Amelia said.

‘I’m patient,’ Jake corrected. ‘There’s a difference.’