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There isn't much I regret in life. Becoming blocked with writing is one thing, and while that's not my fault, per se, it's still a major regret. Not being experienced with being in love is definitely one, but again, it's not really my fault if I haven't fallen in love in all my twenty-five years of life.

Not kissing Lily Price when I had the chance is definitely a major regret. We were interrupted, but I could've pulled her out of the door with me that afternoon and kissed her stupid in the car park.

It's been four days since I was in her studio, and I haven't seen her yet to kiss her like I should've. We've been talking non-stop over text and call, but she's been busy and so have I, with actual planning for this story and working in between.

The plot has changed since I was struck with inspiration, and I don't know how she'll feel about it. Of course, Lily gave me the character inspiration, and I need to research and ask her questions without flirting and being selfish for my own gain, but the story seems to be taking shape.

Being known as a romance writer is haunting; though I have only one book out, which has been a success, I know in interviews I've always said I'm a romance writer at heart. This new book is not my usual sort of plot, and it's both scary and exciting.

I want to phone Lily, tell her about it, and get her feedback. She's not even a writer, but she's taken an interest. Plus, I know she's more of a fan than she lets on. She hasn't hidden the book on her shelf, nor shied away from telling me in not-so-few words that she's loved my stuff from the minute she read it, and saw the TV show.

My phone goes off with a text message – the florist. She's texted me to let me know the new set of flowers has been hand-delivered to Lily, and this time, she's triple-checked I won't be charged and there won't be another one until I specifically go in and buy them.

Good, because I can't afford these every fucking week. But she's worth it. Well, I'd say she's priceless, but there we go.

My phone goes off again. This time, it's a FaceTime call.

I set the phone up on my desk and answer. Lily's face fills the screen – her hair is done up in a bun on the top of her head, no makeup and whatever top she's wearing is low cut.

"Hey!" She waves.

"Hey, you okay?" I answer.

She nods. "So I just got these delivered—" She moves the phone so I can see the bouquet of pink daisies on the side. "—Olly, what the fuck? Thank you so much. She promised me there wouldn't be any repeats this time. She also winked at me with a smile. I think she may have worked the error to her advantage, you know? Sneaky matchmaker florist is my theory."

I laugh. "I'm pleased you got 'em without a hitch."

"What'd you do that for? You didn't need to get me flowers. Plus, the same ones your character got in Cold Faith."

I grin. She got the reference like I knew she would. "Well, I know you're a secret fan. You kept talking about it the other day, so I thought you might like them. Plus, your favourite colour is pink, so I had to."

"Thank you. I love them. The roses have finally given out, so I had to get rid of them this morning."

"Perfect timing, then." I run a hand through my hair. "What're you up to today?"

She shrugs. "Finally have a day off. I was thinking about you before the flowers showed up, and we said we'd get together but haven't had a chance yet. Did you wanna... I don't know, go out for lunch or something?"

"Lily Price, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Well, you don't have to. If you're busy planning or writing, we can do it another time. I just thought... day off, you have a day off... I don't know. But if you're busy, please say no and we can talk later. We can always go out another time. I genuinely will not be offended if you're in the zone. I get that, so please be honest."

She's adorable when she's rambling.

While I feel in the zone, she's more important than planning. I also need to pick her brains about ballet and the idea, but a date... I cannot mix business and pleasure.

"Oh, that reminds me," she adds. "You wanted research... that's why you even asked me out on that first day. If you still need me, I can give you whatever you need."

"Are you psychic, Miss Price? I was just thinking that myself. My idea is about ready, but I need to run some stuff by you if you're willing. I... uh... would you want to hear about the idea? You are the inspiration, after all."

Her face lights up. "You want to share it with me? If you do, I'd love to hear about it."

"Tell you what; did you wanna come over? If you're okay with it, we can talk shop here, and then we can go out on a date after?"

She cocks her head. "Mixing business with pleasure sounds bad, so yeah, I like that idea. Give me an hour. I have a couple of things to do and then I'll get ready. Text me your address and I'll be over. Though... do you need me to show you dance moves? 'Cause if so, it might be better at the studio."

I shake my head. "No, it's all good. Just some questions."

"Sure, I'll be an hour."

"Lily? Thank you."

She smiles. "You can thank me later—" She stops. "Holy fuck, I'm sorry. Ignore that."

I laugh. "It's forgotten. See you in an hour." Except it isn't forgotten, not in a million years. The suggestive tone leaves me breathless as we hang up, and I'm pretty sure I'm falling for Lily Price.

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The woman distracts, and she knows she does. She's sitting opposite me at my kitchen table in a low-cut white and pink dress with a white knit cardigan over the top. Her ginger hair is loose now and curly. Makeup done, jewellery on and she's so gorgeous I want to take her in my arms and kiss her until there's nothing else in the world but us.

She sips the coffee I've made her before looking at the notes I've made. "You're going romance paranormal? That's popular at the moment in the bookshops, so you should be good with it."

I shrug, trying to keep my eyes above her tits. The myths go that ballet dancers have small ones, but not Lily Price. Oh, no.

She's gorgeous.

Olly, stop it. We're business right now.

"I've never written paranormal before. The idea is going with soulmates in a modern world, so it's very light on the paranormal. There'll be a little mystery, too."

"So, tell me the idea. If you want to, that is."

I nod. "Promise to tell me if it's stupid." When she nods in response, I take a breath and go for it. "Modern world where soulmates are a government-mandated thing; everyone has a pair, but it's also a slightly magical thing. Two friends drink some sort of love potion and fall in love, despite never being into each other before. Turns out they are soulmates. They have to navigate these new feelings and decide whether they're really falling in love or if it's just a side effect of the potion. Their friendship will be changed forever. The mystery is going to be in finding out whether the potion is, you know, real and finding out more about it. The female character is going to be a ballet dancer, the male is going to be... I don't know yet."

She nods, not giving much away immediately. "Tell me if I'm overstepping, but an idea could be for the mystery: whether the potion is just making them fall for each other and whether the government would've mandated them as soulmates. If not, who is their proper pair and is it forbidden love with their best friend? That'd add a mystery element plus romantic tension and conflict."

I grab my laptop and note that down on my page. "That's a terrific idea. I didn't think it held too much conflict before, so that would be good. The world-building is where I was going next on the plan."

She looks at the ceiling for a moment. "The other thing you'd need to think about is the love potion – why would they drink it? Why would someone sell them it – or give it to them, or whatever you're doing with it? Is it the government doing this? Or is it illegal? All could add to the mystery side." Lily looks at me. "Otherwise... Olly, I think this is a brilliant story. Can I ask for the ending?"

I smile. "Obviously, with a romance novel, they end up in love, together."

"Good." She looks over the notes again. "In terms of the ballerina stuff, I don't mind answering as and when you need them. If this sounds forward, please tell me, but I'd love to help if you need it. Look over the book before you edit."

Our eyes meet. I've always had the right descriptions for moments like these, but right now, she's taken the wording from my brain.

"I'd be honoured," I whisper. "So, my main character is a ballet dancer, well known. I'm sort of going for this celebrity-type thing."

She gives a small smile. "One thing to know about us; we're not celebrities. Well, sort of. I'm well known in the ballet circle, but I'm not... well, like you or Britney Spears."

I laugh. "Got it."

She flips through the notes and picks up the list for the main character. This will be exactly when she works it all out, and I'm going to die of embarrassment. But like she said in her studio the other day; I write and show my feelings. Just like she did with the dance move that I still fantasise about even now.

"Olly... your character... she's ginger, named Lily... this isn't a coincidence. You even have her afraid of dying after I told you that the other day. Did you... name your main female lead after me?" She puts the paper down and looks me in the eyes.

"They say if you're friends or family of a writer, you'll never die," I say in way of answer.

The actual saying is: if you fall in love with a writer, you'll never die, but I think that may be a bit too forward right now. But it's definitely happening. I'm falling for her hook, line and fucking sinker. The past few days without her physically in front of me and getting to know her through voice and video have made me sure. I've never been in love before, but I'm down for this woman.

I just don't know how or when to tell her, or if she'll even feel the same.

"Olly..." She pauses and smiles. After a second, she hides her face, but I catch her wiping at her left eye. "That's... I don't know what to say."

I look up at the ceiling. "Tell me you're horrifically offended and walk away from me. That's where we're going, aren't we?"

She stands up and approaches me. After she grabs my hand, she bends down and waits for me to look her in the eyes. "No, I'm incredibly touched. That's... so... lovely. I can't think of a better word right now, because I'm blown away. Thank you."

"When I sent you those flowers to say thank you for the inspiration, I meant every word. Despite the mistake with the triple delivery, I would've meant it three times."

She giggles. "When I first read Cold Faith, I fell in love with the idea behind the daisies the male lead sent her. The idea of rebirth and innocence, especially with what she went through with religious control, it felt so fitting. Daisies are ironically my favourite flowers, too."

"That's why I sent those today, plus pink is your favourite colour."

"Am I that obvious?" Lily jokes.

"Let me take you out for that date now," I suggest.

She grins. "You can get even more inspiration for Lily Adams, huh?"

"You're making me wish I mixed business and pleasure."

Olly, you've never been this bold before. Stop.

In response, she just giggles.

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