"Are you sure? Luke said you might take it." Jan spoke to me.

I nodded as I sat in her office. It's been a week since I spoke to Luke about this holiday he was offering. "I'm sure. It's starting to affect me, Jan." I told her. "I can't concentrate, I'm losing focus, I'm behind in my studies. I'm hardly sleeping. I just need some time to catch up on my studies."

"So, a sabbatical?"

My eyes widened. "Yes!"

Jan sighed out. "I know you need it." She said, holding up the magazine open to my column. "But what about your column?"

"My readers? I know. I thought long and hard about it, how about a temp to take my place for the next few weeks."

"Aren't you afraid to lose your readers to them?" Jan asked me as she sat back in her chair.

"At first, yes." I answered. "But what about a ghost writer?"

Jan was intrigued by the idea. "A ghost writer? I like the idea. I know a few other writers. I'll have a dig around and get back to you."

"Thank you." I got up and left Jan's office, heading to mine.

"Mrs Anderson?" I heard a voice behind me and I shivered, turning to my door.

"No!" I told the stranger.

"So you're not Rhea Anderson?" He asked.

"I'm the person you're looking for, but I'm not Rhea Anderson." I flatly said.

"Can I get you to sign here." He asked and handed me the small machine. I signed away and he handed me a small parcel.

Frowning, I took it and sat down, unwrapping it.

I gasped as I opened it. "Oh my." I whispered as I pulled out the gold chain. It was beautiful. The delivery man said Mrs Anderson, so it would have to be from Ryder. At the end of the chain was a large clasp and a flat pendant in the shape of a heart.

It looked like the one I used to own, the one I broke off my neck so long ago. The only difference was the pendant was blank. On both sides. I placed the chain back in to its box and pushed it aside.

I groaned as I sat back. It's starting, all over again. Last time Ryder bought me gifts, it was when we first started seeing each other. I was more than thrilled. Now, not so much.

****

I walked in the front door, my bag in hand holding Rowan on my hip, the box in my other hand and the huge bouquet of red roses in the crook of my arm.

The aroma overfilled my senses. They were delivered just before I left, from Luke. He even left a note. Tonight. 8pm. Your house.

My heart fluttered every time I thought of it. I didn't bother asking Ryder or Sasha to take Rowan since he will be fast asleep by that time.

I quickly started making Rowan's dinner and cleaned my house, feeding Rowan and bathed him. Before I knew it, Rowan was asleep and I was freshly showered and in jeans and singlet with a floral kimono on.

I didn't have to worry about Ryder, he had rang earlier and spoke to Rowan, but not before telling me he was going to Christchurch for a few days first. So I had no immediate threats for any interruptions.

Once Luke arrived and I let him in, I poured him a wine as he insisted on cooking dinner. I sat on the bar stool, enthralled in his story as he enthusiastically told me it and cooked dinner at the same time.

"Really?" I laughed as I scrapped the last of my dessert up. I had insisted on frozen cheesecake since Luke made dinner and since it was sprung on me, it was all I had.

Luke laughed as well. "Yeah. Just me and this fella, didn't know him from a bar of soap."

"Thanks for dinner. It was delicious. I never thought I would eat duck though."

Luke smiled at me. "It's never too late to try new things."

"No." I giggled. "It's not. I'm sorry my dessert didn't live up to your expectations though."

Luke shrugged. "I find a plain cheesecake every now and then good for the palette."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, maybe next time, give a girl some warning. She could whip up a better cheesecake." I teased him.

"That depends. As much as I love a creamy cake, you can't pass traditional s'mores."

"S'mores?" I asked, intrigued. "Isn't that like, crackers, marshmallows and chocolate over a camp fire?"

"That's the one." Luke told me as I went to take his plate, but he beat me to it. "Allow me."

"Oh no. You did dinner. I'll just rinse everything off and put it in the dishwasher. Would you like another drink?"

"A coffee would be great." I nodded as I walked in to the kitchen and turned the kettle on. "White with one."

I quickly cleaned up and made the coffees, inviting Luke to the lounge room.

"We aren't being too loud, are we?" Luke asked as I placed the mugs down on the coffee table.

"Pardon, oh no. Rowan's fine." I assured Luke as I sat down, moving my hair back off my face. "The boy can sleep through a foghorn."

Luke came closer and kissed me, taking me off guard.

"I'm sorry." He said as he pulled away. "I couldn't resist."

I gave Luke a shy smile. "I don't mind." I whispered as I leaned forward and took his lips. My hands balled up in his shirt, pulling Luke closer to me.

I felt his hands on my back, bringing me closer. Then I did a bold move I didn't think I would do. "Do you want to move this to the bedroom?" I said between the kissing.

I didn't need to repeat the request as Luke pulled me up off the couch and I kept his hand in mine, inviting him to my room.

****

I woke the next morning, earlier than usual. I patted down the bed and found it empty as I sat up. Luke was gone and Rowan wasn't in it.

I padded quietly to Rowan's room to find him asleep still before going back to my bed. Why am I up if Rowan's asleep still? That's when I found the note on my bedside table.

Rhea, thank you for last night. I had a great time. I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer, but I had a flight to catch. I hope I can see you again when I return. Luke.

I couldn't help but smile. I had a great time last night as well. I laid back down on my bed and curled up under my blankets. I really would like to see Luke when he returns.

****

"Rhea, what are you doing here?" Jan asked as I walked in to the office.

I gave her a strange look. "Working."

"Yeah, but I thought you wanted some time off?"

I do. "Yes. But I can't till I find someone to cover for me." I smiled as I dropped my bag on to the desk.

"Ah, about that." Jan started as I turned to her.

"What?"

"I may have found someone." She told me.

With widen eyes, I waited for her to finish her sentence. "Well?"

"Ashley Grant." Jan smiled, broad of her catch. I just looked at her blankly. "Author, writer, master in psychology and personalities."

"Never heard of them." I told her honestly.

Jan smiled even broader. "Well, you're in luck. Ashley should be here any minute." Jan looked at her watch.

"That was fast. Are you trying to get rid of me?" I grinned as I logged in to my computer.

"Come on, Rhea. You know what I meant."

I smirked at her with narrowed eyes when I saw someone behind Jan enter my office.

"Is this Rhea Matthews office?" The tall man asked.

My jaw could have hit the desk if I wasn't careful. Tall, olive skin, light brown eyes and thick dark brown hair. A narrow face with a slight stubble and what appeared to be muscles flexing under his tight shirt.

"Are you another delivery person?" I asked him. "Because if it's anything to do with Anderson, I'm not interested."

"Actually, no." He smiled at me as I stood up and went around my desk.

"Then in that case, I'm Rhea Matthews." I held my hand out for a shake, a large smile on my face. "And you are?"

"So friendly." He smiled at Jan then me. "I'm Ash. Ashley Grant."

"You're a male?" I said in surprise the same time Jan coughed it out.

"Last time I looked, yes, I am." That smile!

I glared over to Jan. "You're surprised?"

Jan shook her head and threw her arms up in defeat. "I never met Ashley in person."

"You're the editor of a magazine. How is a male columnist going to get away with pretending to be me?" I asked her. I felt a bit amused to be honest.

"I know of Ashley." She gritted out, smiling. "But I never met her. Now I know why."

"Well, Ashley is right here and can hear the whole conversation."

Both Jan and I turned to Ashley and I laughed. I didn't know why I did, but I was entertained and then I realised I was still shaking his hand. I quickly got back my hand, hiding it in my other one.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. If you're fretting about me being a male writing for you, don't."

"But how can I not?" I asked in concern. "My readers know me.

"Look, I grew up in a house with my mother and five sisters. I can be feminine and sensitive."

"There you go. Good luck." Jan smiled as she left the room. I held my hand out to her, calling out for her to wait when she ignored me.

"Oh!" I growled as I closed my fist before turning back to Ashley. "So, Ashley."

"Ash." He corrected me.

"Yeah, that delivery person is looking like the better option." I muttered under my breathe.

"I know I'm not what you're expecting, but I've been reading your column since you first started here. I know you more than you think. I know how you write, what you write."

"Superb." I rolled my eyes.

"Just trust me."

I sighed as I picked up my bag. "Okay. I'm placing all my trust in you. This column is my baby, figuratively speaking." I smiled at him. "One screw up and that's it. You're out."

"What no three strikes?" Came his smart reply.

"This ain't sports." I snapped. "Be more intuitive, lower your testosterone levels."

"Well then, I'll remember to take my women's multivitamins tomorrow morning."

I grinned at him as I shook my head, leaving my office.

"Ah, Rhea?"

I turned back to him, leaning on the door frame.

"Yes, Ash?"

"Just a question. Will the vitamins make, you know?"

I grimaced then gasped in shock as he used his hands, pretending he had breasts.

I walked out off the office with his laughing in my ears and a goofy grin on my face.

Flashback

"No, Keegan. I'm not doing this again." Rhea stated on the phone.

"Why not? We have fun together. I'm bored."

Rhea pulled a face of disgust. "Well, I'm not. I've moved on."

"I thought you loved me?" She could hear the tone and knew he wasn't serious.

"Was this all a game to you? Just sex?"

"It's University, Rhea. We all come here to study and have fun. Not look for a commitment."

Rhea scoffed. "You're right. I for one wasn't looking for a commitment but I'm sure glad I didn't find one in you."

"So what do you say?" Keegan asked her. "One more time?"

Rhea smirked. "Sorry, Keegan." Her eyes went across the room to where her date sat. "But I found a better...entertainment system, as you would put it."

"What would he have that I don't?"

Rhea's smirk turned to a smile. "More experience." She hung up and made her way back to the table. "Sorry." She smiled as she sat.

"That's okay." Ryder said. "So where were we?"