Divya snorted. ‘No holds barred, huh?’
Imogen made a face like she was stifling a laugh. ‘It was enough. I have the best boyfriend in the world.’ Declan draped an arm around her shoulders and she beamed.
‘And now,’ Darcy said abruptly, looking back at the two remaining couples, ‘for yourSummer of Lovewinners! Which couple has the British public voted their favourite?’
The camera cut between the final two couples: Jack and Meave and James and Zoë.
‘Jack looks like he’s going to piss himself,’ Max said.
‘The winners ofSummer of LoveSeason 10 are… Jack and Maeve!’
A burst of confetti engulfed the contestants, torrents of gold paper blocking the camera’s view. When it cleared, Jack and Maeve were embracing, with James scowling in the background.
‘Good on them,’ Oliver managed to get out. He was aware that the others were waiting for a reaction, but his eyes were trained on the sliver of Declan’s face visible in the commotion.
‘You okay?’ Hanna asked. She turned towards Oliver, not looking at the TV.
‘Great,’ he muttered, knowing not a single person in the room would believe him.
Chapter 26
Oliver
Two Weeks Post-Finale
Oliver was walking back to Will’s flat when Maeve called him.
‘Glad to know you made it out alive,’ he said wryly.
‘Ha,’ she said. ‘Sorry I didn’t call right away – it’s been mad. How are you?’
‘Yeah, fine,’ he said, waiting for the light to change at the crossing. ‘Strangers keep sending me DMs saying they want to have my babies, you know, the usual.’
‘Good,’ she said briskly. ‘So, when are you free?’
‘Oh, er, I’ve quit my job, so no rehearsals or anything to schedule around. But, well…’ He didn’t want to say it, but he knew she would find out soon enough. ‘Thing is, I’m leaving for New York at the end of the month. So, if you can fit something in before then…’
There was a moment of silence on the other end. ‘You’re moving?’ she asked finally.
‘I got into Manhattan Ballet,’ Oliver said in a rush. ‘How’s this weekend?’
‘You’re… leaving London?’
‘Yes,’ he said. This was going about as poorly as possible. ‘I mean, I’m sure I’ll come back home to visit.’ He had no idea how he would do it on his salary, but the idea of leaving London forever was too painful to contemplate. ‘Trying not to think about it. Anyway, let’s meet up soon.’
‘Um, okay,’ Maeve said, uncertain. ‘What about Saturday?’
Oliver ran through his list of commitments and came up blank. ‘Yeah, that’s brilliant. Drinks?’
‘Actually, Jack’s moved to London, so I’m hosting a small welcome party for him. Are you in?’
Oliver rubbed his forehead. He didn’t like where this was going. A party for Jack would certainly involve Declan. ‘Er – I’m a bit under the weather, now that you mention it.’
‘Oh, piss off,’ Maeve replied, without any venom. ‘You’d agreed to come when it was only me.’
‘Yes, which was sneaky of you. I’m not sure I like cut-throat Maeve.’
‘You consider me trying to get you to see your friends cut-throat? Darling, you wouldn’t want to see me at work.’
