Page 14 of Someone Like You

‘Well, you could?—’

‘You don’t understand, Poppy,’ I say, talking over her. ‘Raffhatespublicity. It’s bad enough he has radio interviews every night this week, but those are part of his contract with the show – he’s obligated. How am I supposed to convince him to do an interview with a huge online magazine? Tell him it’ll be fun?’ I ask with a sarcastic laugh.

‘I understand it could be tricky,’ she says, obviously trying to placate me. ‘But you said Raff is planning on joining his aunt’s company, which also happens to be the biggest chain of bakeries in the UK. Appearing inNouveau Lifewould be great publicity for Baked to Perfection. Couldn’t you put it to him like that?’

‘Hmm, maybe…’ I say, noncommittally.

‘Look, Gaby, I’ll be honest, other than asking him point blank if wants to be matched, this is the best chance we have at figuring this out. Unless…Shouldwe just ask him?’

‘No!’ Oops, I hadn’t intended to answer so vehemently.

Poppy chuckles. ‘Okay then.’

‘Sorry, it’s just… ever since we met on Monday, I’ve been thinking about it. And I’m pretty sure that if I went to Raff now and said, “Hey, there’s, like, this huge plan to find your perfect match – do you really want that?” he’d say no. Because I’m not sure Raff knows what he truly wants.’ I cough out a derisive laugh. ‘I mean, do any of us?’

Oh shit. Why did I say that? And toPoppy. Now she’s probably analysing me.

‘Okay, so, what I’m hearing,’ she says, sounding exactly like a psychologist, ‘is that you agree the interview is the way to go.’

‘Yeah, I guess I am.’ Then something comes to me – a way to put an end to this, once and for all. ‘Hey?’

‘Yeah?’

‘What are the chances of getting Freya to drop this whole thing?’

She laughs and despite myself, I join in.

‘Ah… Yeah, no,’ she replies. ‘I reckon we’ve got Buckley’s – sorry, that means no chance.’

‘Yeah, you’re right. At least if Raff does the interview, there’s still hope. Maybe it’ll reveal that he’snotlooking for love – even subconsciously – and we can shut this down.’

‘Possibly…’

God, is it only Thursday? It’s only been five days since we were all at CiCi’s celebrating Raff’s win, but it’s feels likeweeks. Probably because of the constant texts from Freya, most of them nagging me to finish my version of that (stupid) questionnaire. How is knowing Raff’s favourite colour supposed to help him find love?

Love…

He really is happiest when he’s in love. And don’t I want my best friend to be happy?

‘Gaby, you still there?’ Crap, I’ve been in my head so long, Poppy thinks the call has dropped.

‘I’m here – sorry, just thinking.’

‘You don’t need to give me an answer right away – we have a bit of time.’

‘Thanks. I appreciate that, but I’ll do it.’

‘Really? That’s great. Thanks, Gaby.’

‘But I can’t promise anything,’ I add hastily. ‘Raff’s his own person.’

‘I completely understand. I know you’ll do your best.’

‘So, let’s say I’m successful; when’s this interview?’

‘I’m more nervous than I was the first day of filmingBritain’s Best Bakers,’ says Raff, and I reach over and pat him reassuringly on the knee.

Ordinarily, we’d be heading into work, as it’s Monday morning, but a town car picked us up at Raff’s place and we’re on our way toNouveauinstead.

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