Page 36 of Hot Mic

Sienna stood at the mirror of the Violet Audio bathroom, her hands resting flat against the edge of the sink as she stared at her own reflection. She looked tired. She hadn’t really slept last night. She’d tossed and turned while she tried not to picture Robin’s dimples. Or any other fact of her physicality.

It was fine, Sienna told herself, willing her heart rate to slow down. You didn’t say anything revealing. No one would know that every time you look at Robin now, you want to—

Sienna didn’t allow that thought to complete. She needed to focus on the positives. Both the cottage and the debrief episodes had been as dull as her wildest dreams. Hopefully, ratings would fall off sharply, and Gemma would realise she’d got all she could out of this.

Because she couldn’t afford to go any deeper with Robin. This dreadful feeling needed time to pass. She couldn’t risk any more intimate conversations or physical contact.

The heavy door pushed open, and Robin walked in. She froze, her elbow propping the heavy door open as she took in the sight of Sienna hovering over the sink.

‘Oh,’ Robin said. ‘Hi.’

‘Robin,’ Sienna replied, turning around a little too fast. ‘That went well, don’t you think? Dull as a cheese sandwich.’

Robin smiled briefly. ‘Yeah. You vanished pretty fast after we wrapped.’

‘I had... stuff,’ Sienna said, though the lie sounded thin even to her own ears. ‘Prep for my own show that needed doing. You struggling with that?’

Robin grinned. ‘You know me. I just pull it out of my arse every week.’

Before Sienna could find a response to that, a stall door swung open.

‘Well, well,’ Gemma said, heading to the sink. ‘The chummy co-hosts, lurking in the ladies’ room.’

Sienna straightened her posture immediately. ‘You don’t look happy.’

‘Thirty-four percent drop in audience engagement during the middle third,’ Gemma interrupted, washing her hands noisily.

This is it, Sienna thought. She’s cancelling the show.

‘The social sentiment online is universal,’ Gemma continued as she dried her hands on a paper towel. ‘The listeners think you’ve reached a cosy little truce. They’re saying you’ve gotten too nice. The banter is gone, the edge is gone. Dora agrees.’

Robin shrugged. ‘Was what it was.’

‘It was a snooze-fest,’ Gemma cut in coldly. ‘You two have hit an equilibrium, and if I let you keep going like this....’

That’s it, come to Mama, Sienna thought. Cancel us.

‘Luckily, Dora had some thoughts.’

Robin looked from Sienna to Gemma. ‘She did?’

‘Date Four is an A/B Test,’ Gemma announced. ‘You’re going on dates with other women.’

Sienna went completely, utterly still. ‘Clarify.’

‘Each of you has been paired with a compatible third party,’ Gemma explained smoothly. ‘Sienna, Dora found you a risk analyst. Robin, you’ll be with a photojournalist who lives out of a converted camper van. Same restaurant, same time.’

‘You’re making us watch each other on dates with other people?’ Robin asked.

Sienna’s head swivelled to Robin. That was a strange way to put it.

‘That sounds pointless,’ Robin said quickly.

‘Dora thought it would be fun to see who actually lands a successful match,’ Gemma said.

‘And the point?’ Sienna asked.

‘The same as every episode. It’s another chance to prove yourselves right.’ Gemma dropped her paper towel in a bin. ‘Dora will email you.’