‘Right,’ she said. ‘You’re a bit of a night owl?’
There was something in her expression, an understanding, that threw him off. He didn’t think he’d mentioned anything about his sleep habits in the interview process. ‘I tend to be.’
‘Your ex, she’s in New York, right?’
He blinked at her. ‘She is,’ he said stiffly, thinking of the late-night phone conversations that had kept him up for months. He had adjusted his life to accommodate for the time difference.
‘One of your mates mentioned that you kept in pretty close contact after her move,’ Paige explained, pushing a stray curl behind her ear.
Oliver cleared his throat awkwardly, surprised that Will knew how often he and Sophie spoke.
‘We talk,’ he said finally. ‘The move’s been hard on her. She’d lived in London her whole life, her friends are there, her family…’Me, he thought.
‘That’s big of you,’ Paige said. ‘I mean, most people…’ She trailed off, uncomfortable. He was used to that – no one wanted to say it outright.
‘Most people don’t forgive their ex who announced a break-up and a cross-Atlantic move in one breath? Who secretly auditioned for and accepted a role in the ballet company thatwe’d planned to apply for together?’ He gave her a wry smile. ‘Yes, I’m unique in that sense.’
Her eyes widened. ‘I suppose that’s the more mature way of going about things. Me and my ex, we’d row every day if we talked at all.’
He couldn’t tell her that he and Sophie never rowed. That she had been happy to see him in New York before his audition, and it had given him hope that if he moved things could go back to normal between them. It didn’t seem like a wise thing to confide in a producer trying to manufacture a love story for him.
Instead, he told her a different sort of truth. ‘She’s my best friend.’
As Paige struggled to reply, Oliver noticed Declan approaching over her shoulder. Water dripped from the ends of his hair down his broad chest, disappearing into the waistband of his swim trunks.
‘Hiya, Paige,’ he said, smiling his brilliant smile. He didn’t greet Oliver, though he was now directly in front of him. It was the closest they’d been since the plane, and Oliver glanced over the slight crook of his nose and the pout of his mouth, trying unsuccessfully to read his expression.
‘Hi,’ Paige said. ‘Sorry about the shape of that pool – I don’t think a contestant has ever tried to use it for exercise before you.’
He shrugged. ‘I’m not much of a swimmer, so I’ve nothing to compare it to.’
‘Your dad’s gym probably has a more functional model, if you’re taking up the sport,’ Paige said. Oliver was relieved to hear her talk like that with the other contestants. It was like she was testing the waters, quizzing herself on their lives.
‘I’m not quite ready to give up on boxing,’ Declan said, winking. ‘I’ve got a couple of good years in the ring left, no matter what the tabloids say.’
‘Are you swimming because it’s easy on your wrist?’ Oliver asked, trying for some common ground. Ballet dancers often had their careers cut short by injuries, and he could sympathise with Declan not being in the best headspace after the fight.
‘Nah,’ Declan said, not turning towards him. ‘My wrist is fine. Just felt like a change of pace.’
‘Right,’ Oliver said, not believing him.
‘What have you got in store for us today, then?’ Declan asked Paige, and Oliver got the feeling he was being dismissed from the conversation.
‘It wouldn’t make for good TV if I told you,’ Paige teased.
Declan laughed, throwing his head back and showing off the long line of his throat. ‘Fair enough,’ he said. ‘I’m gonna grab a shower. Gotta look my best for the cameras, right?’
Paige nodded, and Oliver’s eyes followed Declan’s retreating form.
‘I’d watch out for that one,’ Paige said.
Oliver pulled his gaze away from Declan with considerable effort, wondering what he could have possibly done to offend him.
Chapter 5
Declan
Seven Weeks Until Finale
