‘He wouldn’t do that,’ Oliver said firmly. ‘I trust him.’
Niall shot him an incredulous look. ‘What about the thing with Zoë?’
Oliver shook his head. Knowing Declan was genuinely interested in Zoë had changed Oliver’s opinion of him. It made sense as to why he’d acted so coldly towards Oliver – he hadn’t known how to pursue Zoë and make friends with Oliver at the same time.
‘It doesn’t matter either way,’ he said. ‘I don’t fancy Maeve. I mean, she’s undeniably fanciable, and I don’t fancy herat all. Something must be wrong with me.’
He didn’t know why he was so frustrated; he’d come on the show to win, not to fall in love. But now that he’d started getting to know the women, single for the first time in his adult life, he realised how much hewantedto fall for someone else. He wanted to feel like his whole life didn’t revolve around Sophie. He wanted to know he had the option to move on, that he at least had some choice in the matter. But frustratingly, the only person Oliver felt like he was developing any sort of closeness with was Declan.
Niall’s eyes flicked to the nearest camera, the contestants’ universal signal formate,you’re making yourself look a fool on television. Oliver dipped his chin towards him in a subtle nod, and changed the subject: ‘But who knows, maybe Imogen is the one?’
‘Exactly,’ Niall said. ‘You two could be just like me and Stella. I just know we’re it for each other.’
‘Niall,’ Paige said, stepping in front of the camera and sounding exasperated. ‘What did we talk about earlier? You have to at least pretend to have reservations; it makes for good TV. Sometimes I feel like a preschool teacher with you lot.’
Niall’s face betrayed a flash of annoyance at the interjection, but when he spoke, his tone was even. ‘Isn’t the whole point of this to find love?’
Paige exhaled slowly before responding. ‘Of course the point is to find love,’ she said, with a false smile pasted on. ‘And you’vealready found your soulmate here. So if you could just keep me in a job, yeah?’
Niall snorted. ‘You’re lucky I’m such a pushover.’ Turning back to Oliver: ‘Well, I dunno, we’ll have to see how it goes, won’t we?’
Paige flashed a thumbs-up in the corner of Oliver’s vision. When it became clear that Niall was done with his bit, Oliver jumped in. ‘And how am I feeling about my date? I thought you’d never ask.’ Niall chuckled. ‘Imogen is exactly my type on paper. I think we have good chemistry already. And hey, third time’s the charm, right?’
Paige gave Oliver a grateful smile. ‘Muchbetter.’
Chapter 12
Oliver
Oliver and Declan were lounging by the pool the next day when Maeve finally approached him. She looked anxious, and Oliver knew what was coming. He wasn’t dreading it any more – his date with Imogen had gone surprisingly well, and he thought his spot on the show was secure for now.
‘Can we have a chat, Oliver?’
The two of them settled onto a daybed, the cameras on them in moments. Maeve drew her knees to her chest protectively.
He saved her the trouble of explaining. ‘It’s okay. I know that you want to break things off.’ At her confused look, he continued, ‘Declan told me.’
She frowned. ‘I didn’t mean for him to tell you. I’m sorry if he bungled it.’
‘Shockingly, he didn’t.’ He paused, putting his hand over hers. ‘Hey, I’m not upset. I’m happy for you and Jack, truly.’
She chewed on her lip. ‘We’re not… I wanted to talk to you about it first.’
‘I’m flattered that you wanted to tell me first. Well, second,’ he amended. ‘Oh, by the way, I told Niall, so Stella likely knows too. And Imogen knows, I think. So, only half the villa.’ He grinned.
Meave groaned. ‘Oh God. I’ve been so mean to Imogen, for absolutely no reason other than I fancy Jack.’
‘I’m sure she’ll forgive you,’ Oliver said. ‘Are you going to talk to him now?’
‘Yes,’ she said firmly, as though trying to convince herself. ‘I have to now, don’t I? Made my bed, and all that.’
‘Why are you so nervous?’
‘Well, he could look at me like I’m mad, or say that I’m too serious for him, or…’ She broke off, looking at him earnestly. ‘We’re an odd pair, aren’t we? He’s an amateur stand-up comedian and I’m the least funny person I know.’
Oliver put a bracing hand on her shoulder. ‘Pretend he’s an octogenarian,’ he said solemnly.
She gave a bark of laughter. ‘What?’
