The game abandoned, the four sat talking into the early hours. Robin had discreetly offered the spare room. Nicole declined, preferring to take her time, enjoy the journey, not rush what was unfolding. In truth, she was nervous. She had made mistakes in her marriage, mistakes she did not want to repeat, preferring to explore Waverly's mind before she explored her body.

The roads were quiet as they made their way back to Waverly's flat. Nicole walked her to the door, waiting as Waverly rummaged through her oversized bag for her key.

"It's in here somewhere. Do you want to come in?"

"Better not. Might not leave. No, I mean, I'd leave. Why do you do this to me?"

"Can you promise me one thing?"

"Anything, name it."

"Don't ever change."

"Could you pinch me. Or, slap me. Both, I don't mind."

"I'm glad we finally got together."

"I'm glad it snowed."

"Are you sure you won't pop in, just for a while. I need the bathroom."

"Nearly wet myself the first time you stayed. And, now you're thinking I lack bladder control."

"That's it. Gotta go or I'll be the one wetting myself. And, you definitely don't want to come in?"

"I want to. Really want to. Don't want to rush this."

"You were only getting coffee. OK, call me."

Waverly closed the door. Nicole stood looking at the door. She knocked.

Waverly opened the door, grinning. "You've changed your mind."

"When do I call you?"

"Oh, say in seventeen minutes."

Waverly closed the door.

The race was on. Nicole sped through town. She entered her flat with one minute to spare, sitting on the couch panting, waiting for the requisite time to appear on her phone.

"How did you know?"

"Googled our locations. Wanted to see how far away you are from me."

"You OK us being girlfriends?"

"Why do you put yourself down all the time?"

"I don't know. It's just. I like you."

"Tell me about Shae. How did you meet?"

"University climbing club. Kind of inevitable. Only gays in the group."

"Did you love her?"

"Loved her intelligence."

"Enough to marry her?"

"Shae gave me an ultimatum, I panicked. Does it bother you?"

"We all have pasts. Knew I'd never marry my ex. Should never have moved in with him. Such a fool not to have seen what he was doing."

"Sometimes bad things happen so we know the good."

"True. Mind you, could have done without the bad."

"Where do you want our next date to be?"

"Somewhere romantic. Surprise me."

"I'll let you rest. You looked beautiful tonight."

"Thank you. See, you do know how to say the right things."

"Trust me, I was about to compliment you on not wetting yourself."

She could hear Waverly laughing. "Too funny. Happy New Year Nicole Haught."

Nicole hugged her phone before placing it on the coffee table. She was going to get this relationship right, even if it killed her. She now had to find somewhere romantic for their third date. She ran through a number of possible locations until one flashed in her mind. Perfect, she thought, as she turned off the light in the lounge, heading to the bedroom.

The bookstore was closed New Year's Day. Ideal for what Nicole had in mind. She was up early, heading to the larger supermarket in the next town, a list in hand for what she would need. Items purchased, she returned to the store, cleaning out the wood burner, starting a new fire. She hoped Waverly would like what she was planning.

One o'clock. She called Waverly's number. No answer. She left a rambling voicemail, wishing she had thought through what she was going to say before committing herself. An hour went by, two hours. Three. She wondered whether she should call her again. One more call. No answer. She left another voicemail. Apologising for the previous voicemail, still as rambling.

She knew Waverly had got home safely. She knew her phone was working. Maybe it was on silent. Maybe she had other plans. Maybe she didn't want to speak to her. She sat looking at all her efforts. She would have to remove them before the store opened the next day. She returned to her flat, sitting on the couch, staring at her phone. Where was she?

Rollercoaster.

It rang. "I'm so sorry. Left my phone on charge while I popped to Wynonna's. Can I still come over?"

"Of course. Was worried."

"I know. Heard your messages. So sweet. See you in seventeen minutes."

Nicole was waiting by the door. She saw Waverly peering in, holding up a cake.

"God, it's freezing out. More snow on the way," Waverly announced, as she entered.

"Shall we."

She led Waverly through the store up the stairs towards her favourite chair. The lights in the bookstore were already dimmed. Fairy lights decorated the surrounding bookshelves, a small table laid out with party food. She took the cake from Waverly.

"Alexa, play Ed Sheeran - Perfect."

"Love this song."

"Too cheesy? Wasn't sure if this was enough of a surprise."

"No, it's perfect. Wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Can I tell you something?"

"What is it?"

"Had a few lousy years. So many times I could have given up, but Wynonna kept saying dawn will come. And, she was right. Because, I'm here."

"Wynonna hinted you'd been through a rough patch."

"Did she do the big sister act?"

Nicole nodded.

"She's very protective after what happened."

"Can you tell me?"

"Not yet, if that's OK. I don't want to spoil this moment."

Nicole took Waverly's hand. They danced. Their first dance. A kiss neither wanted to end.

Nicole eventually broke away. "I usually make a mess of everything. I don't want to make a mess with you. I mean, I do want to make a mess with you. Nope. That's word jumble. Think Nicole before you open your mouth. OK, what I want is, what I want is for this to be perfect for you. That's it."

"It is. Honestly, after what I've been through. But, please don't try too hard. This is perfect and you're perfect as you are. Seriously. No fancy stuff. Well, apart from this. This I like. I could get used to this."

"Alexa, play Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You."

It had stopped snowing by the time Waverly left. A light covering, not enough to abandon her journey home. Nicole walked her to her car.

"I'm in London for a few days." Waverly said.

"Can I call you?"

"You'd better."

Nicole watched her car disappear, standing gazing at an empty road once it turned the corner. Turning the lights off, checking the wood burner, she headed upstairs, deciding to leave tidying till the morning, not wanting to disturb the remnants of a magical evening. She would have time in the morning.

7.14am. Nicole was busy removing fairy lights and glasses. A perfect evening. She spotted it. Waverly's phone, resting on the table, partially hidden by a paper napkin. Robin would be arriving in half an hour. She would need to let him in. She needed to get the phone to Waverly. Decisions, decisions. Leave Robin outside, deliver the phone to Waverly, who may have already left for London.

She called Robin. "Waverly left her phone. I need to get it to her."

"Do you want me to come in earlier?"

"No. It's fine. I'll call you when I'm back."

Nicole sped through town, arriving at Waverly's, ringing the buzzer. No answer. She had missed her. Waverly's phone in her hand, deliberating whether to head to the station, a message flashed up:

H: Sign over the flat or I release the photos.

Nicole read the text over and over. Waverly's ex, the one who had caused her so much trouble, was blackmailing her.

She called Robin. "I still have her phone. She's gone."

"Doesn't her sister live nearby?"

"Right. Good thinking. Thanks."

Nicole knocked on Wynonna's door. No answer. Knocking again, she saw a light come on, Wynonna shouting to hold on. The door opened. She stared at Nicole, confusion on her face.

"Waverly left her phone at the bookstore."

"Right. Thanks. Do you want to come in?"

"If it's OK."

Wynonna led the way to the kitchen, pointing to a breakfast bar, pulling out two cups.

"Kind of you to drop it off."

"Tried her flat but she's already left for London. Figured you might have a number where you can reach her."

Wynonna nodded, still half asleep.

"There was a message from H."

Wynonna's body tensed, swinging round to look at Nicole. "What did it say?"

"He wants Waverly to sign over the flat. Otherwise he'll release the photos."

Wynonna slammed a cup on the granite work surface, shattering the base. "That low life. If she hasn't suffered enough with him."

"Is this what she's had to go through?"

"Absolute scum. Waverly didn't want you to know. But, you have a right if you're seeing her. Her ex is a parasite. Never loved her. Only loved what she represented. Complete user."

Nicole stared at Wynonna in disbelief.

"It's why she moved here. To get away from him. I know I'm her sister, but she has so much to give and this rat, this vermin, this, he's hell-bent on destroying her."

"I'd better go. I need to open up the store. Can you call me when you reach her? Let me know she's OK."

"I'm sorry. This isn't fair on you."

"It's OK. Really. I'm glad I know."

Robin was standing outside the store as she approached. She unlocked the door, letting him in before her, standing at the cash register, not wanting the day to continue.

"Hey, tell me or I break your legs."

"Please. Not now."

"Tell me. What's happened?"

"Waverly's ex is blackmailing her."

Robin was silent, for once. No comeback line, no joke. He approached, knowing she was struggling to process what she now knew. "You're there for her."

"What do I do?"

Robin placed a hand on her arm. "This problem was there before you knew her. What's important is you're here for her now. She likes you. Jeremy said the vibe between you two was amazing. You know she kept looking over during the game."

"Did she?"

"Trust me, this girl is into you. Big time."

"I like her. I really like her. I don't want to see her hurt."

"I know. You're a kind heart. She knows that. Heck, she knows you're a lovable dork."

"Have you just complimented me with an insult?"

Robin nodded. "Listen, I love you. Jeremy loves you and by the looks of it Waverly kinda digs you. We're a pretty amazing team. We'll fight this together. Do you want a power hug?"

Nicole shook her head.

"Go on. You know you do," Robin insisted, opening his arms.

Nicole accepted the offer, standing in the front of the store hugging her employee.

"This is so awkward," Nicole said after a few moments.

"Yep. Let's never do this again."