Page 16 of The Wedding Pact

In fact, everything I’ve read about him makes him sound like a really good guy. He’s well respected in the business world and the very few mentions of him on social media by the women he’s dated are kind and positive, if a little sad-sounding that he’s wedded to his career.

I remember, after reading a news piece a while back about him and his uni mates selling the HelSkel app, that I’d spent a good few minutes studying his face and thinking how attractive he was for a tech bro.

And, oh man, he’s even hotter in the flesh.

I wasn’t prepared for that.

I mean, we did that video call last night so I knew what he looked like in real life, but he’s much more attractive in person. There’s something about him that hits me right in my happy places. A certain kind of charisma that doesn’t translate in 2D. But it’s very much in evidence in the here and now.

He’s taken the seat next to mine on the plane, though there’s an aisle in the middle of us, keeping a respectful distance between the seats.

I surreptitiously glance over at him to study his profile for a couple of seconds while he’s getting his laptop out of his bag.

Yep. He’s a looker all right, with dark, chocolate-brown hair worn long on top but kept swept back from his face, the waves tamed and sleek and giving off a vibe of soft control with an undercurrent of being on the edge of sexily dishevelled. But it’s his eyes that really do it for me. They’re the most brilliant green, so bright you can see them from across the room – as I did when I first walked into the airport lounge and felt my knees go a bit wobbly.

Unfortunately, from the guarded way he responded to my questions about how convincing we need to be as a couple, it seems he’s going to be a tough nut to get out of his shell. He seemed very keen to make it clear he’s not interested in turning this into something more real.

Not that I’m in the market for anything serious right now either.

I’m all about having fun.

It seems like the guy needs to loosen up a bit though. Perhaps this enforced holiday in the sun will end up being good for him.

If I can get him away from his laptop.

I’m already primed for the challenge of that.

He obviously works too hard; I can see it in his face. He has a tenseness to his expression I’ve noticed in other workaholics. And workaholism is the last thing I want in a boyfriend. I had enough of dealing with that throughout my childhood with my absent bloody parents. There’s no way I’m putting up with it in a serious life partner too.

And I meant it when I told him I’m not looking for love right now, anyway. Not when things are going so well for me professionally.

Speaking of which, this lucky connection, and the fun concept of being his fake date on a paradise island, could prove to be an amazing boost for my show and cement my career as a top HelSkel personality.

If I play this right.

The fact Raffa doesn’t know me from the app surprised me. I expected him to see through my no-effort appearance when we video-called and know immediately who I was and be kind of incredulous that he recognised me too.

But no.

It seems he’s too busy and important to be aware of how my show has blown-up on the platform in the last month or so.

I’m choosing not to hold that against him though. Talking to him anonymously in the chatroom while all my other lines of communication have been overwhelmingly flooded with spammy DMs or sycophantic pleas for connection has kept me sane over the last month.

It’s been a welcome calm amongst the storm of sudden internet fame that I – perhaps foolishly – hadn’t fully prepared myself for.

But I’m taking this chance meeting as serendipity and a sign that I need to make the most of this opportunity.

‘You okay there?’ Raffa asks, dragging me out of my thoughts and bringing it home to me that I’ve been staring at him for the last minute or so.

How embarrassing.

‘Yes! Fine. I’m totally fine,’ I say, flashing him a wide smile. ‘I was just thinking how lucky it was that I ended up talking to you online. Visiting the Maldives on a private plane was not on my bingo card this year.’

He smiles too. ‘Have you been there before?’

‘No. Never. I’ve always wanted to go though.’ I shift around in my seat to face him properly so I’m not cricking my neck.

‘I won’t lie, the lure of a free holiday on a tropical island obviously had something to do with my decision-making process to fake date you.’ I flash him a cheeky grin. ‘I hear the islands might not be around for too much longer, what with the rising sea levels, so I’m really grateful for the opportunity to visit.’