Without giving him another look, she walks off. She stays strong and steady until she reaches her studio, but the moment she shuts the door, the tears come fast.

Chapter 9

9

‘So, where do you have to meet him?’

A smile edges its way onto Darcy’s face. ‘Olive Garden Estate.’ Her romantic weekend away with Drew is only a couple of hours away.

Mel’s impressed. ‘Nice.’

From what Darcy’s seen online it looks very nice. ‘It has a spa.’ Her eyebrows dance suggestively.

‘Okay, gross,’ Mel says. ‘I don’t need to know all the details.’

Darcy laughs, feeling lighter than she has in ages. Here in Sydney there are always things to do or friends to hang out with. Up in the Hunter Valley there will be nothing to focus on but the two of them. Well, perhaps some wine, good food and the two of them.

Mel eyes her. ‘Look at your face,’ she squeals. ‘You’re thinking about having sex, aren’t you?’

Darcy has to bite her lip, a guilty grin trying to make its way upwards. The truth is she’s excited about having sex somewhere other than their bedroom. They used to have sex any chance they got—outdoors, in toilet cubicles, in her parents’ pool, on his mum’s dining room table, even at the movies one time. But these days they move from their own couch to the bedroom to be more comfortable. They’ve become old in their relationship, but hopefully this weekend away will kick-start some romance. Maybe it’ll even spur on some sexting to help survive the long distance for the next couple of months.

Darcy checks her watch; it’s just before three. ‘Hopefully we can get through this meeting by four and I’ll be able to scoot off.’ The top twenty-two girls were sent confirmations earlier today, so Mel and Darcy have been getting contracts ready and prepping for production to start. Darcy actually feels like she has a handle on everything.

‘You’re optimistic. When do we ever get out early?’

Darcy shakes her head at herself. ‘I know. I probably just jinxed us by saying it out loud.’

Alice comes striding into the room. Darcy prickles; her presence is always unsettling. ‘Be prepared to sleep here for the whole weekend,’ Alice declares, her voice booming as though she’s trying to talk to someone in the building across the road. Her face is grim, her eyes unnerving, reminding Darcy of a vicious animal. ‘Joe has met someone and pulled out of the show.’

Darcy and Mel exchange looks. This is the worse jinx Darcy could have ever imagined.

‘We won’t be leaving here until we find a replacement suitor.’

‘What about his contract?’ Darcy says. ‘He’s already signed on.’