Page 21 of Hot Mic

Dora looked at her as if she were looking at a bear that didn’t understand that the more it danced, the more money was thrown. Robin understood that pretty well. But how to make Dora understand that Robin was unhappy? More to the point, how to make her give a shit when her phone was buzzing every three seconds?

Sienna cleared her throat, ready to tap in. Robin was glad. Sienna would know how to make Dora understand. They both spoke the same language. A language Robin had never wanted to learn.

‘Dora, while the traffic spike is... impressive, letting the show turn into a slanging match isn’t good for anyone. It completely undermines what I do on Dating by Design. What this company does for queer women in general.’

Yep, she’d nailed it.

Dora dropped her phone onto a pile of paper, leaning forward over her cluttered desk. ‘You know what? I think a bit more structure might help. I want to evolve the format. And Gemma agreed.’

Sienna cocked her head. ‘That’s not quite what I…’

‘That’s actually what I wanted to speak to you about today. I want to have more of a hand in the next date,’ Dora continued at breakneck speed, steamrolling right over Sienna as if she hadn’t spoken.

Robin braced for the next slap.

‘Can’t just chuck you two out on the street and expect magic every time. We’re evolving the format. I’m dictating the activity for Date Two.’

‘To?’ Sienna asked.

‘Salsa dancing.’

Robin felt her jaw drop. ‘Salsa? Dora, she barely moves her arms when she walks.’

Sienna’s head snapped toward Robin, her dark eyes flashing with instant heat. ‘I have perfectly normal posture! I just don’t flail around like a wind turbine.’

‘This is what I’m trying to tell you,’ Robin pointed out, gesturing to Sienna with her coffee cup. ‘She’s already having a go at me.’

‘You started it,’ Sienna shot back. ‘And I’m a good dancer, if you must know.’

‘Oh, really?’ Robin smirked. ‘When was the last time you danced?’

Sienna paused.

Robin snorted down her nose.

Stop it! she commanded herself. This cannot keep being fun. You will go mad, or she will, and she’ll take you with her.

Dora slammed a hand down on her desk, rattling three cold coffee mugs. ‘Save the banter for the dance floor, ladies.’

Sienna stood, smoothing down her jacket. ‘Dancing in audio. That’s gonna sound great,’ she muttered darkly to herself.

Robin could only infer that the meeting had ended; she stood and turned to leave.

‘Oh, and one more thing,’ Dora said.

Both of them turned back to the desk. Dora was already holding her phone again, typing with terrifying speed.

‘Go on, then, Columbo,’ Robin sighed.

‘Date Two features our first vote penalty,’ Dora said smoothly, her eyes glued to her screen. ‘The audience votes on who ‘won’ Date Two after Saturday’s drop. Whoever loses the vote has to plan Date Three using the winner’s philosophy.’

Robin blinked. ‘Wait. What?’

‘That means if Sienna wins,’ Dora explained cheerily, ‘you, Robin, have to plan a date you think Sienna would approve of. And if Robin wins... Sienna, you do the same.’

Sienna’s colour completely drained, her mouth dropping open. ‘How?’

Robin looked over at her rival, watching the absolute horror flicker across Sienna’s face as she pictured herself doing something Robin would like. Maybe a grand romantic gesture like standing with a boombox outside the Violet building while it pissed it down.