Maybe Alice is right—just because he’s not like the other suitors they’ve had doesn’t mean she should raise the red flag. He’s dating more girls at once than some people date in a lifetime. But Darcy knows it’s more than that. She has to trust her gut. ‘He’s said a few concerning things and—’

‘I don’t have all day,’ Alice cuts over her quickly before Darcy’s even finished talking.

‘He’s worried he shouldn’t be on the show at all and admitted he still loves his ex.’ Exes are clearly nothing but trouble.

Darcy’s waiting for Alice to look shocked or worried or even appalled but she just looks annoyed. ‘Our fans want to see him end up with someone on our show, not his damn ex. Surely you’ve been doing this job long enough to know you’re the one who has to make sure he believes he’s falling in love with one of the women on our show?’ She exhales loudly, as though talking to Darcy causes her physical pain. ‘You do understand what your role involves?’

This seems very hypocritical seeing that Alice just wanted Darcy to contact Bonnie’s ex.

‘Yes.’ Spoken barely loud enough for a mouse to hear.

Alice stares at her with even more doubt than normal. ‘Surely you know to talk about journeys and soul mates and all that drivel?’

Darcy swallows hard. ‘Of course.’ She tells herself not to let the words sink in too deep.

‘Honestly, Darcy,’ Alice scolds, ‘you expect me to give you a promotion when you come to me about stuff you should be handling with ease?’

She wishes she could let the cruel comments fall away, but instead they hit her to the core. ‘Sorry for troubling you.’ Her voice squeaks before she rushes out of Alice’s office and straight to the bathroom.

Hours later, she’s still trying to forget how Alice’s words sliced at her like a razor blade. She’s purposely kept herself busy since she got home. A lasagne is cooking in the oven, she’s got Ed’s favourite chocolate brownies ready to bake for dessert and she’s now chopping up a salad.

She invited Ed over for dinner to clear the air after last week’s uni catch-up. She doesn’t know what ended up happening with him and Zoe; they only exchanged a few texts during the week and Darcy hasn’t been game enough to ask him outright.

There’s a knock on the door. ‘Just me,’ Ed says as he pushes it open. He’s carrying a bag that is clearly very heavy.

‘What have you got in there?’

‘Goodies for you,’ he replies, heaving the bag up onto the bench for her to take a look. ‘Smells amazing. You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.’