Page 101 of The One That I Want

‘All right, quickly tell me about him,’ I say with a sigh.

‘The broad strokes are: he’s forty-one, has his own business – which is a recent career change, but hasreallytaken off. He’s a foodie and loves travel. He’s been single for about a year, butis amicable with his ex, and he lives in Central London with his dog.’

‘Oh, well, I did ask you to make it quick.’

‘Does any of that sound familiar?’ Poppy asks, and something in her tone ignites an all-over tingling sensation.

‘And what’s his name?’ I ask slowly, the tingling intensifying as excitement bubbles up inside me. Because I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.

‘Ewan Wilder.’

I was right! But now I’m also baffled. ‘Wait, what? How? And when did?—?’

Poppy laughs.

‘Did Ewan sign up with the Ever After Agency?’

‘Nooo,’ she replies.

‘Then how is he on the list?’

‘Because I’m good at what I do,’ she replies simply.

‘I don’t understand.’

‘Well, when I met him, I saw there was something between you, so I had Marie do a little digging to make sure he was unattached and a decent human being and?—’

‘Wait – you had Marie investigate him?’ I ask, my voice high and screechy.

‘It was due diligence, Greta. We vet all our potential matches.’

‘Sorry, of course you do.’

‘But the rest was all you. I just paid attention to what you were telling me –andwhat you weren’t. If it didn’t work with Harrison, my next step was to nudge you towards Ewan.’

I chuckle – mostly at myself. First Tiggy, then Poppy… dideveryoneknow how I felt about Ewan before I did?

‘We’ve actually got dinner plans tomorrow night,’ I say, an unbidden smile breaking across my face.

‘Great! See, you didn’t even need the nudge, and at least there’ssomethingpositive amongst all this sh—’ She stops herself.

‘Shit,’ I supply, making her laugh again. ‘It’s okay to call it that. This situation is a heaping pile of shit.’ Saying that, the gravity of what Bex has done lands with full force. ‘Oh, Poppy, I honestly can’t believe it’s Bex.’

‘I know,’ she says, her tone suddenly sobered. ‘I’m really sorry. I imagine you’ll be confronting her this morning?’

‘I’m not sure. Anjali’s on her way in now and I suppose we’ll work out what to do together.’

‘I hope it goes as well as it can.’

‘Thanks, Poppy.’

After the call, I rest heavily against the back of my office chair, staring at the wall and reflecting on the swings and roundabouts of my current life. Iameager to see where things can go with Ewan, but right now, that’s completely overshadowed by the dread of having to confront – and sack – Bex.

When Anjali first mentioned we had a mole – was that really only yesterday? – it seemed preposterous that it was someone in my own team. Of course, I’d extrapolated from there, imagining that if it was, I’d be held accountable. I pause at the thought. What if that’s the case? What if my head’s on the chopping block too?

I glance at the clock on my laptop screen. Anjali will be here soon. ‘Should I pre-emptively offer my resignation?’ I ask myself. ‘But what if she accepts it?’Oh god.

My phone chimes with a message notification, a reprieve from my worrisome thoughts:

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