Thank You, Next (The Kathryn Freeman Romcom Collection #9)

Chapter 1

Molly glanced around her open plan kitchen/living area. Subdued lighting: check. Pizza ready to go in the oven, nibbles on the coffee table, wine bottle and glasses out: check, check, check. TV on the right channel: check. All she needed now was Duncan…

The doorbell sounded and she laughed. Yet another reason she and Duncan were a perfect match – like her, he was always on time.

‘Hey, babe.’ He wrapped his burly arms around her. As an online personal trainer, he was ridiculously fit. She wasn’t quite in that league – okay, she definitely wasn’t in that league – but she did work out with him twice a week. Mainly because he insisted on it, so he could film them as he tested out new routines. But she would … almost certainly … work out more if she had the time.

‘Hey, yourself.’ She waved him towards the kitchen. ‘If you go and pour the wine, I’ll pop the pizza in the oven.’

‘Thin crust, yeah?’ He asked as he unscrewed the wine bottle. ‘And you got the vegetarian one with no cheese?’

‘Of course.’ She glanced down at the vegan pizza sitting ready on the tray, and felt a pang of longing for pepperoni. But processed meat was bad for her, as was the tasty thick crust and the gooey mozzarella that ran down your chin. So now she ate the same pizza as Duncan, which was much healthier.

Slipping it into the oven, she set the timer and went to snuggle up to him on the sofa. ‘Here you go.’ He handed her a small glass of red wine before pouring another for himself.

Saturdays were the best days, and not just for what they were about to watch on the TV. It was alcohol day. She totally bought into Duncan’s healthy living lifestyle. Of course it made sense to take care with what she ate and drank, and to exercise. She could vividly remember the first time he’d asked her to try out one of his routines. Talk about embarrassing. Not just the tomato face and the inability to breathe, but the wobbles the lycra hadn’t managed to disguise. After that, it had been a no-brainer to follow the diet and exercise plan he’d created for her. It didn’t mean there wasn’t a teeny, tiny part of her that still wanted to slob now and again.

And to drink more than once a week.

She’d also occasionally like a few crisps, she acknowledged as she listened to him talk about his day. Swerving the carrots she’d carefully peeled and sliced, she grabbed an olive, which at least had some taste.

When he’d finished relating his tale of how the check-out guy in the supermarket had recognised him and asked for an autograph, Duncan shot her a grin. ‘Speaking of celebrities, I can’t wait to see how that mouthy couple have got on tonight. If I were the bloke, I’d have bolted at the altar.’

And this was why she didn’t mind the healthy snacks, or the vegan pizza. How many other men would be as excited as she was about watching dating shows? Her mind flashed back to the last guy she’d fallen for. Ben would rather have swum through a crocodile-infested lake, after running through a burning building.

Immediately she pushed the thought of him away. It had taken far too long to get over a man she’d only known for two glorious, whirlwind, yet ultimately devastating months, but the important point was that she had got over him. Thanks to Duncan.

Duncan cleared his throat, jolting her out of her thoughts. ‘Speaking of altars…’

Her heart thumped. Oh my God, was he going to propose? ‘Yes?’ It came out as a squeak, she was so excited.

‘Shit, no, I’m not about to ask you to marry me.’ A panicked look crossed his face. ‘Not that I’m against the idea. I mean, I think it could be on the cards for us, yes? But that’s not what … bummer.’ He sighed and took her hand. ‘Now what I was going to say will be a real let down.’

‘No, it’s okay.’ She tried to laugh, though inside she was dying from embarrassment. She was so stupid. ‘Of course you weren’t going to propose. I mean, if you were…’ Stop it! ‘I mean big if, obviously, and not necessarily to me, but if you were going to propose to some lucky person one day, you’d do it properly.’ Swallowing down her tears, she forced another laugh. ‘You wouldn’t just blurt it out in front of the TV.’

‘Hey.’ He rubbed a thumb gently over her knuckles. ‘I want to get married one day, you know that. We’ve talked about how my mum wants those grandkids.’ He gave her a sweet kiss. ‘Just not today, yeah?’

Her smile felt lopsided, but the embarrassment was receding, along with some of the disappointment. This wasn’t a no; it was a not yet. ‘So what were you going to tell me?’

‘Ah, well.’ Was it her imagination or was he avoiding her eyes? ‘I’ve been asked if I want to take part in that show where they date for four weeks and then have to choose whether to marry or not at the altar. You know the one?—’

‘The One.’

‘That’s it.’ A grin broke out across his face. ‘One of our faves, isn’t it?’

Molly blinked. ‘Yes, but … can you repeat what you said, because I thought I heard that you’d been asked to take part?’

He laughed. ‘I know, it’s nuts, right? I figured contestants applied to go on the show, but apparently sometimes these reality shows use social media to find people they reckon have got the right look or personality.’

‘And they asked you? I mean, the producers of The One actually asked you to be on their frigging show?’ Part of her was excited for him, but part of her… ‘They know you’re in a relationship, right?’

Again he avoided her eyes, nodding towards the TV where the opening credits of Married at First Sight were playing, the familiar theme tune echoing around the room. ‘Can we shelve this chat, babe? It’s about to start.’

‘Sure, yes.’ The timer sounded and she jumped to her feet to grab the pizza out of the oven.

But as she settled down to watch the fallout from the previous evening’s dinner party – what an episode that had been – she couldn’t focus. She wanted to laugh at the mouthy couple as they had a full-blown shouting match, neither listening to the other. To cringe at the pair who looked all sorts of wrong for each other as they ate their breakfast in a stilted silence. But her head wouldn’t budge from the conversation with Duncan.

When it came to the adverts, she was ready to explode. ‘What did you say to them?’

Duncan dragged his gaze from the TV screen to frown at her. ‘Say to who?’

‘The producers of The One. What did you say when they asked if you wanted to take part?’

He let out a heavy sigh. ‘What do you think I said? You know how much exposure it would give me, being on the show. No way could I turn it down.’

‘But…’ Her head was starting to spin. ‘You’d be paired with another woman. Go on dates with her.’

‘Sure, but only for the show.’ His fingers curled round her chin, blue eyes finding hers. ‘Come on, you know how I feel about you. Just think of this as … work. Yeah, that’s what it is. The chance for me to advertise myself on a major TV show, and for free. Imagine how many new followers I could get out of it.’

As she stared at his animated face, Molly felt a stab of guilt. She was being selfish. This was a huge opportunity and she should be happy for him. But. ‘What do I tell my family, my mates? They all watch the show and they’re going to have questions about why my boyfriend is on it claiming he’s looking for love when…’ – she swallowed, feeling a burn of tears – ‘when I thought he’d already found it.’

‘Of course I have.’ His eyes strayed towards the TV where the adverts were coming to an end. ‘But I’ve got to go back to being single for a bit.’

Her heart began to thump. ‘What are you saying? You’re dumping me?’

‘That’s not the word I’d use, but I can’t be in a relationship if I’m going to do the show, you know that.’ He glanced sideways at her and his brow furrowed. ‘Hey, come on, don’t look at me like that. It’s only temporary, babe. Just business, right?’

‘But you’re dumping me.’ The slice of pizza she’d eaten began to work its way back. Shit, she was going to be sick. Lurching to her feet, she ran to the bathroom. There she clutched at the basin, forcing herself to breathe. This was okay. She wasn’t being skewered again. Unlike the last time she’d been blindsided, she knew exactly why Duncan was ending things. It’s not like he’d given her the glib ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ bullshit.

‘Hey, babe, please come out.’ Duncan shouted through the closed door. ‘This is daft. You know I love you. I’ve just got to think of my career for a bit, that’s all.’

Sucking in a deep breath, she pushed open the door. ‘I know you do, and I’m sorry. It’s just, well, it’s quite a shock.’

‘But you get it, yes?’ His eyes searched hers before bending to give her a quick kiss. ‘I need you to get it, because I’m not sure I can go on the show if you’re not behind it.’

This was a test of their relationship, that was all. And if she wasn’t prepared to support his career, what sort of partner did that make her? ‘It’s fine, I understand.’ The emotion she was trying to push into a box kept trying to escape and she felt her eyes sting. ‘Just don’t fall for whoever you’re partnered with.’

He dropped another kiss on her mouth. ‘How can I when I know I’ve got you waiting for me when I get out?’

‘Easy to say now.’ Her voice caught as her mind scrambled ahead. ‘Matchmakers and some computer algorithm are going to find the perfect woman to pair you with.’ Oh God, she’d forgotten the show ending. ‘You could get married to her.’

‘Hey, babe, stop this. Of course I’m not going to marry whoever they pair me up with.’ He held her shoulders and gave her a little shake. ‘How are they going to find me a more perfect woman? We’re soulmates, yeah?’

‘Looks like we’re about to find out.’ Confusion, hurt, fear that she was about to lose him … it all churned inside her and she stepped away from his hold. ‘I think it’s best if you go home. Good luck in the show. For once, I’m going to give it a miss.’

‘Molly, come on, try to be a bit more positive. This is a chance for me to really grow my personal training business while appearing on our favourite show. You know how much I need it to be successful so I can support my future wife and all those kids I’m hoping for,’ he added with a crooked smile. ‘I thought you’d be happy for me.’ He snatched at his coat, disappointment etched across his handsome features. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow when you’ve calmed down and started to see sense.’

The door shut behind him, and as she heard his footsteps trail away, she slid to the floor and sunk her head into her hands. Up until now, Duncan had always made her feel loved, cherished. The once daily flower deliveries might have been cut back to monthly, but they still happened. As did their dress-up Friday dates. Even after a year together, he still booked a fancy restaurant for them and put on a suit, or a shirt and those black trousers he looked so good in – the ones that stretched tight across his muscular thighs.

The tears stopped flowing and as her heart returned to its normal beat, she realised she was overreacting. Duncan loved her. He’d told her that, repeatedly. He was only going on the show to grow his business so he could support the family he planned. The one he’d hinted he wanted with her.

Yet the unease refused to budge, prodding and poking at the corners of her mind like an unwanted guest trying to regain entry. Duncan might not be going on the show to find a new partner, but he would be matched with one. And if that person turned out to be a more perfect fit for him than she was?

She’d be left in the one place she feared more than anything else. Alone.