She raced down the stairs to where Brian and the rest of the crew were waiting by idling white vans. It was 5:33 a.m.
‘You’re late,’ Brian said, bored.
‘Yes, thanks,’ Paige said, waving the team into vans before climbing into the front seat of one.
She looked over her clipboard on the short drive to the villa. She’d be doing interviews that morning with the remaining couples to get final reflections on the summer. They’d do a short break for lunch and then the couples would share a romantic last dance before the crew set up for the live finale. Once she had the details for the day in hand, Paige turned to the crew and rattled off assignments.
‘Be sure you have all footage submitted before twelve. We’ve got a quick turnaround on this one and we’ll need final approvals before we go live at eight thirty. Understood?’
She received a few sleepy nods.
‘It’s the last day, people. Let’s make it count,’ were Paige’s parting words of inspiration before she headed into the Love Shack.
Her first interview of the day was with the person she least wanted to see. Declan showed up to his and Imogen’s interview looking more hesitant than she’d seen him all season. Her one consolation in the past week had been that though she had undeniably hurt Oliver, at least Declan had been unflappable.But when she’d asked him to talk to James – Darcy’s idea – and he’d broken down, she had started to doubt even that.
‘Hi there, Declan, Imogen,’ she said, trying to stay upbeat. Contestants fed off the energy she gave them, which was the most exhausting part of her job. In the past week of masking her feelings, she’d become so worn down that she could only feel relief at reaching the finale.
‘Morning, Paige,’ Imogen said sweetly.
‘Hey,’ Declan said, sitting. His hesitancy vanished as he smiled at Paige, his usual charming grin. This was a man who knew exactly what it meant to mask his feelings. ‘How’s it going?’
‘Good, good. This shouldn’t take too long – we’ve got tons to cover today.’
Declan nodded, the smile not dropping from his face.
‘So… how are you two feeling about your chances?’
Declan looked sideways at Imogen, raising his eyebrows cockily. ‘Well, Imogen and I are practically shoo-ins at this point, aren’t we?’
His confidence would play well with the audience; this was Declan at his best. She shouldn’t have worried about him.
Imogen beamed at Declan. ‘I’m so excited for what the future holds for us. It’s going to be one long adventure.’
‘You don’t think there’s a chance for any of the others? What about James and Zoë?’
Declan scowled. ‘I should hope the British public hasn’t stoopedthatlow.’
He’d led her into it perfectly. ‘Do you feel like you’ve not made amends with James? Thought you two understood each other better after your chat.’
‘Nah,’ Declan said, tone flat. ‘We’ve got it straightened out, but we’ll never be mates.’
‘Nothing like a little rivalry to keep things fresh,’ Imogen said.
‘And when you look back on your time here,’ Paige said, ‘you feel it’s been a good experience?’ It wasn’t a question she had written down, but she was curious what Declan’s answer would be.
‘It’s been amazing,’ Imogen gushed. ‘I’ve made so many lifelong friends, plus I snagged this dreamboat.’
Paige smiled, placating, then turned to Declan.
‘Uh—’ Declan frowned, seeming to choose his next words carefully. ‘There have been highs and lows, but it was all for a summer in paradise, all in the name of true love. Right?’
When he looked at her, she felt a pang of unease at his raw expression. The line he’d given her had been suitably cheesy, but it seemed like he wanted some sort of confirmation from her.
‘Right,’ she said, after a pause. ‘I mean, you’ve found Imogen. Where do you see the two of you, after the show?’
Declan’s expression eased. ‘Ah, well, I’ve got boxing to return to. Imogen is so supportive of my career, and I hope I can do the same for her. She wants to open a clothing store, and I think she’ll be brilliant at it. She says I can be one of her models, if I’ve got any spare time.’ Declan elbowed Imogen in the side and gave a short laugh. ‘I think it will be easy, with the two of us.’
Paige nodded. Giving a perfect sound bite had always been Declan’s strong suit, but there was something about his smile that made her want to cry.
