‘I also wanted to double check about your ex,’ Mel says. ‘We’ve tried unsuccessfully to get in contact with her just to make sure she isn’t going to create any waves and contact you once the show begins. You were engaged, right?’

Ty’s face drains of colour. ‘She doesn’t care I’m doing this. She made it very clear that it’s over between us.’

‘Mel,’ Alice says sharply, her eyes narrowing before casting Ty an apologetic look. ‘Sorry about that.’

Darcy cringes in anticipation of the talking-to Mel will be getting later. Mel wasn’t trying to cause trouble, but there’ll be no point in trying to tell Alice that.

Mel keeps her mouth shut for the rest of the meeting, letting Darcy take the lead through all the questions.

‘It was nice to meet you both,’ Ty tells them finally. ‘I’ll try to make your job as easy as I can.’

Darcy offers a smile. Maybe she shouldn’t be so quick to judge him. ‘It’s our job to make this as easy as possible for you.’

They watch as Ty and Alice leave, then Mel, her eyes glinting with respect, says, ‘Damn, you’re good at your job. I’m hoping it’s contagious.’

Darcy’s flattered at this and can’t help but laugh. But then the small hint of pride floats away. If she’s that good at her job, why is she still in the same role after four years?

Bonnie is closing up for the day. It’s been chaotic trying to shift bookings and rearrange her schedule for the next two months. Most of her clients had been okay about her sudden decision to leave town for an extended period because of ‘personal reasons’. She’s had to be evasive about The One because of the confidentiality contract she’d signed and emailed back after almost a bottle of wine on Saturday night.

She hears the door push open and turns, expecting Carla, who insisted on going out and buying new outfits for Bonnie to wear on the show. They both knew Carla would do a better job at choosing so there was no point arguing with her.

But it’s not Carla at the door, it’s Oliver. His face is pale and his forehead creased with nerves. ‘Hey,’ he says.

‘Hi.’

He’s wearing a blue business shirt that reminds her of the school uniform he’d worn for years. A time when she’d been his girlfriend, a time when she had ownership of him. Now, she has nothing.

‘Can we talk?’

She wants to say no. Her heart is too fragile to handle this conversation. She’d wanted to disappear without a word.