All I Want Series Boxset, Books 1-3: All I Want for Christmas, All I Want for Valentine's, All I Want for Spring by Clare Lydon Page A

would be a crime, so Victoria it was. When it came out of my mum’s mouth, I hated it. But when it came out of her mouth — it still made me wilt. It had back then, and it did now. She was smiling at me again now, but I couldn’t read her expression. Did Nicola have any regrets? I would love to have known.
    I pressed the green button so that Nicola had my number, then when the call connected, I handed back her phone.
    She gave me a small salute. “See you soon.”
    Then she sprinted back to her vehicle, cracked the engine and ploughed back into the London morning traffic.
    I watched her go and managed not to wave in a pathetic fashion.
    I tried not to believe in fate and destiny, but sometimes, it had a way of making you sit up and take notice.
    ***
    “Nicola Sheen is a firefighter? You’re kidding me!”
    Holly was cooking dinner for us — fish tacos, which was one of my favourites from her repertoire. She was hunched over the frying pan as usual, her long, lean frame dealing with life from a high vantage point.
    I drummed my fingers on the kitchen counter as I grinned at her. “I was as surprised as you when she jumped off the fire engine, believe me.” I paused. “Meanwhile, Maureen was less than pleased with me.”
    Holly cleared her throat. “I can’t say I blame her.” She moved the cod around the pan, before adding the seasoning mix. “So I take it you were cool, calm and collected and didn’t blush like a school girl?” She didn’t look over to see my reaction.
    “I was as a matter of fact, cool as a cucumber. She told me off, we had a chat about how I should eat porridge and then she went on her way. End of story.” Holly didn’t need to know all the facts, she’d just disapprove. She’s not so hot on fate or destiny.
    Holly turned her head. “Really? You didn’t ask her if she still loves you like you love her?”
    I wafted a hand nonchalantly through the air. “Nope. I was the picture of maturity. Well, as mature as you can be after you’ve burnt toast and managed to evacuate your building.”
    Holly glanced my way as she cooked, and I could see she was wondering whether to believe me, and also how far she should probe.
    “Well good, if that’s the case,” she said, slotting the tacos in the hot oven. “I’m proud of you.” She turned and looked me in the eye, a hint of something I couldn’t quite place held in her gaze. “Maybe you were listening to me the other day.” She paused. “Although, I can’t see how you managed to contain yourself. Especially if she was in her fire gear — you’re gaga for a woman in uniform at the best of times.”
    I rummaged in the cutlery drawer to set the table. “Who isn’t? Don’t tell me you wouldn’t be interested if your first love strode out of a fire truck and into your life?”
    Holly tilted her head and grinned. “I guess it would have a certain je ne sais quoi .” She paused. “A hot firefighter turning up at my work would have been very welcome today. A little light relief from the stresses of modern life.”
    “Who was it who was lecturing me on love the other day? Perhaps you need to start a little fire at your work and see who turns up.”
    “If it’s Nicola Sheen, that would be way too complex,” she said, laughing. “Besides, I heard a rumour she’s engaged.”
    I swiped at Holly with a tea towel. “Ha ha — you know what I mean. You need to be ready for love when it comes along and that might be tomorrow. Romance and self-help books make me open to it.” I pointed to my chest. “When love comes knocking, I’m going to have the flat ship-shape, I’ll have flossed and my hair will be perfect. I’m going to be ready.”
    Holly turned off the pan, lifted the fish on to a plate and squeezed lime juice over the top. “I’ll be perfectly ready, thanks.” She didn’t look up. “And I won’t be the one searching through my pile of exes for someone to love.” She retrieved the taco shells and carried the