Chapter Text
Octavia wasn’t expecting her brother to be happy about her decision. After all, his name is practically Bellamy “overprotective” Blake and she is marrying a stranger on national television. Not happy she was ready for. Angry she was braced for. But strangely silent was not an option she was expecting.
“Bell, say something.”
Octavia glances nervously at the crew – having the cameras film this part was obligatory – but she gets nothing from them. Monty just smiles at her from over the top of the camera.
“What the fuck, O.”
“You can’t swear.” She says reflexively.
“I can’t swear?” He replies incredulous, “my baby sister tells me she’s marrying a stranger on national TV and I can’t fucking swear. You have got to be kidding me.”
“Guys, can you give us a minute.” Octavia pleads at the crew.
Monty looks at Raven, the 1st AD, and waits for her nod.
“Take five. But then we’re filming this again and we will keep filming until we get a version we can use.” Raven says, the last part is said with a glare at Bellamy.
When they’ve left the room Octavia turns to her brother who is glaring at her.
“Explain.”
“Look, I signed up for a laugh ok, I didn’t think I’d get chosen but actually when I looked into the whole thing, it didn’t sound that bad.”
“What part of marrying a stranger is not that bad?” He snaps.
“Well, it’s married but not. We get married, go on honeymoon for a week, live together for seven weeks and at the end of it decide if we want to stick it out or not.”
“You know nothing about this guy. He could be a serial killer.”
“As could any man I meet. And realistically this guy has gone through more testing than anyone I’d meet normally, he’s unlikely to be a crazy.” Octavia explains.
“I don’t like it.” He huffs.
“I didn’t think you would. But it’s not like I have much luck dating normally and mom wasn’t exactly a great example in the romantic department, so what have I got to lose.” She sighs, “I don’t expect you to be happy but can’t you at least support me. I want you on my side, Bell.”
She knows she has Bellamy then, she can see him soften.
“I’m always on your side.”
*
Clarke is in her office reviewing the dailies from Lincoln telling his friends he was on the show when Raven calls.
“Hey, how’s Octavia?”
“Octavia is great as always. We’re going to have problems with the brother.” Raven says bluntly.
“What kind of problems? In all of Octavia’s VTs she talks about him so fondly.”
“Yeah he clearly adores her. But he is also a dick and to say he’s not happy about her being on the show is an understatement.”
“Well, that’s not his call to make.” Clarke replies, “Did you get the footage of her telling him.”
“Yeah, eventually. He kept swearing so we couldn’t use his stuff.”
Clarke chuckles at that, it’s annoying but something she has been known to do on occasion when she doesn’t want to be filmed.
“At least you got something. If he’s really awful we’ll cut around him.”
“Trust me, you won’t want to cut around him.” Raven laughs.
“Why’s that?”
“Let’s just say that Octavia is not the only one with good genes in that family.”
“Ok, well send it through and I’ll get Jasper to take a look.”
*
Clarke is watching the footage with Jasper when Raven comes in to the edit suite.
“You were right, he’s hot.” Clarke says glancing up at her.
“Hot or not, there’s about 30 seconds in here where he’s not swearing and about a minute if it doesn’t matter that he’s scowling.” Jasper whines.
“It doesn’t matter if he’s scowling as long as it works with the story. Octavia paints him as loving but overprotective, so that’s the angle we want.” Clarke says patting him on the shoulder as she leaves the room with Raven.
“You heading back to the apartment?” Raven asks.
“Yep. Just need to stop by the office first.”
They’re sharing an airbnb in Atlanta where the show is filming. Both Octavia and Lincoln were local to the city and the tax breaks for filming make it worthwhile to decamp the whole show up there for a season.
“I’m thinking Thai for dinner.” Raven says as they head to the room Clarke is using as an office. As Executive Producer she gets her own space.
“You’re always thinking Thai, but lets get a drink first. It’s been a day.” Clarke says.
Raven chuckles and walks alongside Clarke to her office. She’s limping slightly, a day of filming is always hard for her leg because there’s so much standing behind the scenes but she’ll be fine once she rests.
Clarke is about ask Raven about her leg but gets distracted by her PA, Maya. She’s a quiet girl who looks like she would fall over in a light breeze but Clarke has learnt not to underestimate her. She sees things, watches and learns. In fact Clarke was so impressed that she requested her as her own assistant for this season of the show.
“Here are your messages. Someone called Mr Blake called multiple times, very insistent that you call him back.” Maya tells her handing over a stack of notes.
Clarke exchanges a look with Raven who is grinning.
“Thanks Maya. We’re good for tonight. Head home, enjoy your day off tomorrow and I’ll see you Monday.”
“Night Clarke, night Raven.” Maya smiles.
“Mind if we skip the bar and just get booze on the way home. I don’t feel like being around people.” Clarke says, flipping through the multiple messages from the studio and Mr Blake with a groan.
*
Bellamy is nursing a beer and a foul mood at his local bar.
He normally loves this place, enough of a dive to have character but not too much that he’s worried he’ll catch something. But tonight he’s not in the mood.
“Seriously man, it’s Saturday night and you are clearly giving off some hardcore vibes because it is packed in here and yet, no one has tried to hit on you.” Miller tells him from the other side of the bar.
That’s the other reason Bellamy likes this bar, his childhood friend Miller works here in between acting gigs.
“Maybe they’re too distracted by my good looks.” Bellamy snarks as he drains his beer.
“Nope. Not normally a problem. You have a face like thunder. Spill.”
“It’s Octavia.” Bellamy sighs.
“Of course it is. Hold that thought.” Miller grins, heading down the other end of the bar to serve someone else.
Bellamy pulls out his phone and considers calling Clarke Griffin’s office again but it’s almost 9pm on a Saturday night and he doubts anyone will be there. Plus he feels bad for harassing the nice sounding assistant, who is only doing her job.
He will certainly give Clarke Griffin a piece of his mind when he gets hold of him though and he won’t feel bad about it.
“Ok, go.” Miller says coming back down and putting a fresh beer in front of Bellamy.
“She’s signed up for reality TV.”
“Survivor?”
“Do they still make that?” Bellamy scoffs.
“Yep.”
“No, not that, thank god.” He sighs, “some thing where she marries a stranger.”
“You’re kidding.” Miller laughs.
“I am really not and don’t shout it about, I signed some scary legal doc that says I can’t talk about it. But I need to talk to someone.”
“My lips are sealed.”
“O says it’s just like online dating but cranked up to 100.”
“Considering you’re suspicious of online dating I can’t imagine that was comforting.” Miller snorts.
“Ugh.” Bellamy groans dropping his head into his hands.
He’s still sitting like that when Miller comes back from serving someone else and he clearly looks bereft because Miller takes pity on him.
“Look, you know better than I do that if you try to convince Octavia not to do this she’ll do it just to spite you.”
Bellamy snorts but looks at Miller.
“So?”
“So be involved. Support her. Go to the wedding and take me as back up so I can be discovered, obviously.”
“Obviously.” Bellamy grins.
“If you’re involved then at least you’ll be able to assess this dude.” After a beat, “I assume it’s a dude.”
“It’s on cable but not that quite progressive. It’s a dude. All she knows is that it’s someone called Lincoln.”
“How many variants of Lincoln Atlanta have you googled?”
“Fuck you.” Bellamy huffs, a small blush rising on his cheeks.
Miller’s laughter rings down the bar.
*
Clarke deals with the messages from the studio on Sunday and hopes that this week will be quieter.
It’s mostly following Octavia and Lincoln, separately of course, to get some b-roll of pre-wedding jitters. She doesn’t really need to be in Atlanta for it — Raven and the team are more than capable. But Clarke is a control freak.
As she drives into the office on Monday she’s hoping Mr Blake has given up on his quest to speak to her, after all, he hasn’t called again.
When she enters her office and there are no more messages Clarke breathes a sigh of relief. Maybe now he’s had a day to calm down he’s decided he’s fine with it all, she thinks optimistically.
At 4.30pm when Maya pops her head round the door to tell her Mr Blake is here, Clarke remembers why she’s not an optimist.
In an ideal world Clarke would avoid him, but this is not an ideal world and she’s getting the sense that the longer she ignores him the worse it will be.
“Send him in.” She tells Maya.
Clarke is sitting at her desk, trying to appear relaxed and confident when Mr Blake walks in.
“Mr Griffin-” he starts before stopping at the sight of Clarke. In a white tee and black blazer, with her blonde hair swinging just above her shoulders.
“Miss Griffin, actually.” She smirks.
Clarke is pleased by his momentary loss of confidence, it makes it easier to prepare herself. She knew he was attractive, obviously, she’s seen him on camera, but in person it’s something more. His hair is wilder than it was on screen and he’s wearing glasses. When he met with Octavia he was dressed casually but now he’s in a blue button down shirt, open at the collar and chinos.
“Sorry,” he says fumbling, “They said Clarke Griffin was the executive producer and I just assumed...”
“That I’d be a man.”
“Uh, yeah.” He says rubbing the back of his neck and flushing slightly.
Clarke would think it’s cute but she’s pretty sure he’s not going to be put off his agenda of yelling at her because he made a mistake with her name.
“What can I do for you Mr Blake?” Clarke says pointing him to a seat opposite hers.
“It’s about my sister and your show.” He begins sitting down.
Clarke doesn’t say anything, just waits.
“I don’t think she should do it.”
“That’s her decision not yours.”
“Yes, well, clearly she made the wrong one.”
“She doesn’t seem to think so. In fact when I saw her earlier today she seemed excited.” Clarke says lightly, she can see how her refusal to take his concerns seriously is getting to him.
“That’s because she’s not thinking clearly. Your show is exploitative, manipulative, cheap and gimmicky.”
“Lets take your points one by one shall we?” Clarke sighs.
“Exploitative. Yes, it could be argued that our show does exploit people. Except we don’t find the participants, they come to us. They go through rigorous background checks and psychoanalytical testing before we even consider them. So if anyone is being exploited, it’s not the participants. Sure you could say that the viewers are being exploited but that can be said of all television, scripted or otherwise.” Clarke begins.
“Manipulative was I think your second point. It’s not. Unlike other reality TV shows we’re not promising fame or fortune. We don’t interview the subjects for six hours to get four minutes of footage. We don’t isolate them, removing them from friends, family and support systems so that they feel that this is the only option. Trust me Mr Blake, this is not the bachelor, the premise is compelling enough without us making your sister cry on camera.”
“Cheap. I assure you that no reality television is cheap.” Clarke continues rolling her eyes.
“As for gimmicky, yes, I’ll concede it is. But it’s entertainment. Is the concept something I’d come up with by myself, no, is it popular, yes. It was started by the Dutch and is now airing around the world with varying success rates.”
Clarke takes a breath and stares at Mr Blake, who is looking more irritated by the second.
“I appreciate that your sister marrying a stranger is not perhaps what you’d planned for her but none of this is my problem.” She says kindly, but firmly.
“It’s ridiculous,” he bursts, “she doesn’t even know the guy.”
“No she doesn’t, but frankly on paper your sister makes the more worrying prospect and his family and friends are being a lot more relaxed than you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” He grits.
“Exactly what I said. She’s your sister, so you know her life and thanks to the previously mentioned background checks, so do I. We both know she’s no angel. I cannot and will not tell you anything about Lincoln, the man in question, but I can tell you this. She’s not in danger.”
“And I’m just supposed to take your word for it. You look barely old enough to vote.”
That is the final straw for Clarke, who stands looking murderous.
“Yes, you are. Because it’s my goddamn show. If you want to get your sister out of it you can pay her get-out clause or she’ll be in breach of contract but I suggest you talk to her first. Now please, kindly, get the fuck out of my office.”
“This isn’t over.” He says standing.
Clarke rolls her eyes and calls Maya.
“Maya, Mr Blake is leaving. Please make sure to validate his parking.” She says with a saccharine smile.
Clarke waits until he leaves the room before flopping back down in her chair. It’s less than five minutes before Raven comes in – Clarke has her head on the desk.
“I heard you met the brother.” Raven grins.
“How can someone so hot be such an obnoxious asshole?”
“There’s a surprisingly large correlation between the two.” Raven grins.
“He’s going to make our lives difficult.” Clarke sighs.
“He might try but I don’t think Octavia will stand for it. And the next time we’re doing anything with either of them is wedding dress fitting on Saturday.”
“I’m meant to meet with the studio on Saturday but I’ll see if Maya can shift it around. I want to be there for that.”
*
“Bellamy! Bell!” Octavia shouts letting herself into his apartment.
“In the kitchen. What’s up?” Bellamy shouts back. But he knows. He’s been waiting for this for the last three days ever since his run-in with Clarke Griffin.
“Did you really have a go at the exec producer on my show.” Octavia snaps coming into the kitchen.
“Define have a go…”
“Bellamy…” Octavia growls.
“Not really. I just went to see her to tell her that I thought the show is awful and exploitative and that you shouldn’t be on it.”
“Oh my god! Seriously, none of those things are anything to do with you.” She whines, leaning on the counter.
“I know! But, God O, it’s such a ridiculous concept, I couldn’t help myself.”
“I told you I wanted to do this. It was my idea, I signed up. Yelling at Clarke, who is awesome by the way, will not change my mind.”
Bellamy huffs but doesn’t say anything. He knows he was wrong. And to be honest Clarke made some really strong points, that was what annoyed him so much.
“You know I applied on a whim, right.” She starts.
“Yeah.”
“Well when I was actually chosen as one of the options, I had to meet with the team before I signed anything. Clarke talked me through everything, she let me meet her team, which is stacked with women and minorities, and gave me access to a brilliant lawyer to make sure that someone was on my side. She also told me that she thought the premise of the show was ridiculous but that ten years ago internet dating was considered weird and now she’s got friends who are married because of it.”
“So?”
“So, she’s not a bad guy. She was nice and helpful, her whole team were and they’ve been great every step of the way. In fact the only person acting like an asshole is you.”
“I’m not apologising.” Bellamy huffs.
Octavia rolls her eyes.
“I didn’t ask you too. You have a choice big brother, get on board or fuck off. I’m meant to be shopping for a wedding dress on Saturday and as my only family I wanted you with me but not if you’re going to drag the whole thing down.”
Bellamy doesn’t miss the emphasis on only.
“I’ll be there. And I won’t be an ass.” He sighs.
Octavia scoffs.
“I won’t be more of an ass than usual.” He amends with a wry smile.
“That’s all I ask.” Octavia says coming over and hip-checking him, “What you cooking?”
And like that, he knows he’s forgiven, for now.
*
Bellamy, Octavia and the crew are already at the bridal boutique when Clarke arrives.
She nods to Monty, and shuffles in behind Raven, trying not get a look at the monitor.
“Ok, great. We can pick up anything else we need after, so let’s head in now.”
“Monroe, babe, can you get them mic’d up.” Raven says turning to their sound crew.
Monroe nods and heads inside the boutique to find Octavia and Bellamy.
“How’s it going?” Clarke asks.
“Good. He’s been surprisingly pleasant.”
“Did you threaten him yet?”
“Only once, and to be honest, I think I might have wasted it. Seems like he turned up ready to play.” Raven says with a dramatic sigh.
Clarke laughs and links arms with her as they walk into the boutique.
“Ok, so. Octavia you need to pick a couple of dresses to try and Bellamy. Sit here and-”
“Yeah, I know. Don’t fuck up your shot or you’ll murder me.” He sighs wearily, running a hand through his hair.
“I was going to say sit and relax but yeah, the murder one applies too.” Raven smirks.
Bellamy rolls his eyes and it’s then that he sees Clarke.
“Wow, the big guns. You guys clearly don’t trust me.” He smirks.
“Mr Blake, I’m just here to observe, trust has nothing to do with it.” Clarke smiles politely.
“I’ll take your word for it Miss Griffin.” He grins back, cheekily.
“Clarke! Hey! I didn’t know you’d be here for this.” Octavia smiles, and waves, from the other side of the store where she’s looking for dresses.
“Are you kidding? This is my favourite part.” Clarke smiles back.
“Your favourite part when the bride looks like Octavia.” Raven mutters to Clarke with a wry smile.
“If it means Jasper isn’t going to bitch-out about the edit then I am happy.” Clarke says professionally, “But if you’re asking if I’ve noticed that this is one of our more attractive couples for a while, then no comment.” She adds with a laugh before walking over to Monty and discussing camera angles.
“Ok. I’ve got some options.” Octavia shouts.
“Cool. Monroe happy with sound? Monty, we good?” Raven asks getting everyone into position.
Clarke settles into the corner to watch. She really doesn’t need to be here for this, but isn’t planning on leaving. So she just stays out of the way and makes sure she can see the monitor.
“Seriously, how long does it take to put a dress on?” Bellamy grumbles good naturedly.
“I’d like to see you try, this thing has more buttons than I’ve seen in my life.” Octavia shouts back from the changing room.
When she comes out of the changing room in a simple high-neck white dress with buttons down the back, Clarke knows it’s not the one – this is her third season on the show – but she knows it’s going to make great TV.
Octavia looks shy, a little nervous.
“Fuck O. You’re getting married.” Bellamy says softly, his eyes crinkling as he takes in his sister.
“Yep, but not in this dress.” Octavia smirks and heads back in to change.
“Sorry for swearing, it was a reflex I promise.” Bellamy tells Raven sincerely.
“I know. It’s fine, I’ll make Jasper cut around it if we need to use it. But seriously, dude aren’t you a teacher you should be better at not swearing.”
“It’s different in the classroom. Something about thirty teenagers staring at you makes it easier to not swear.”
“Fuck, that sounds terrifying. I would definitely swear more.” Clarke says without thinking.
Bellamy grins at her.
“Not possible. For such a demure looking thing you’re such a fucking potty-mouth.” Raven smirks.
“Fuck you.”
“Case in point.” Raven laughs.
Bellamy watches the whole exchange with sharp eyes and a wry smile.
Octavia comes out in two more dresses that are nice but not quite right and Clarke can tell she’s getting fed up.
“What do you think to this one?” Octavia asks her brother.
“At this point O, they’re all just white dresses.” He sighs tiredly.
“I don’t know why you’re complaining. I’m the one getting in and out of them!” She huffs, flouncing back into the changing room.
Clarke is catching up on emails, not looking at the monitor when she feels the whole vibe of the room change. She’s been doing this for too long not to know when they’ve captured magic - and she can feel it now.
“Well?” Octavia huffs.
Bellamy is silent and Clarke can see Raven out of the corner of her eye motion to Monty – who is A camera – to go closer in on his reaction.
“You look amazing.” He says, reverentially.
“Yeah?” She smiles shyly.
“My god, yeah. Wow. He’s going to be blown away.”
“Damn straight.” Octavia grins, deflecting the emotion.
“Seriously, O. You look beautiful.” Bellamy smiles, standing and giving her a hug.
“Watch the dress big brother.” Octavia snarks, but Clarke can see from the monitor that Octavia is just as emotional as her brother.
Octavia goes to get changed and Bellamy turns to Clarke and Raven.
“Do you guys need me for anything else today?” He asks.
“Nope, we’re all good.” Raven says, “I’ll get Monroe to take your mic.”
“Cool.”
“O. I’m off. Call me later.” Bellamy shouts through the changing room to his sister.
“Bye!” She trills.
When he’s gone Clarke turns to Raven, “Is it just me or did he run out of here?”
“Oh yeah, he fucking bolted.” Raven says, “But he’s probably all in his feelings. Ten bucks, he cries when he gives her away.”
“I’m not taking that bet. He almost cried then!” Clarke laughs.
But she can’t shake the feeling something is wrong, he really did run out of there. Clarke reminds herself that it’s none of her business and concentrates on finishing up the few things she needs to get done.
Octavia comes out and they run through the list of things that they’ll need her for over the next week. The wedding is the following Saturday, so they’re close now.
“Cool.” Octavia grins, “Just tell me where you need me.”
“Thanks.”
Clarke and Raven walk out with Octavia.
“My brother was better today right?”
“Yeah, he was great.” Raven smiles.
“Good. He said to say if you need more from him he can do it another day but he coaches girls soccer and was totally late, so couldn’t stick around.”
“He what?” Clarke asks.
“He coaches the local girls soccer team. Honestly it’s so cute. If you want footage of him not being a total ass you should see that, all these six and seven year old girls and he’s geeing them up like they’re going into battle.” Octavia says fondly.
Raven is grinning and Clarke can practically hear the other woman’s brain working.
“You know where to find me if you need me.” Octavia says hugging them both and leaving.
“No.” Clarke says.
“What? I didn’t say a word.”
“I know you Reyes. Do you know how many consent forms we’d have to get done, it would be so much extra work for legal.” Clarke says as they walk to their cars, but she already knows Raven is right.
“I’m not saying now, but maybe when Octavia and Lincoln are on honeymoon we could get some pick up footage in case we need it.”
“You know the show is called married at first sight, right? Not hot brothers coaching soccer.” Clarke snarks.
Raven just laughs.
*
“Come on, get changed?” Raven says pulling Clarke’s headphones off her ears.
“What?”
“Get changed, we’re going out for drinks.”
“Since when?” Clare huffs.
“It’s Saturday night Clarke.” Raven says, as if that provides an answer.
“I’m aware.”
“Good. So stop watching footage – Jasper knows what he’s doing – get changed and lets go creep on this barman Monty thinks is hot.”
Clarke knows this mood of Raven’s and there is really no point in arguing. She closes the laptop, the footage of Bellamy and Octavia paused mid-hug, and climbs off the couch.
“So are we wingman-ing because Raven sucks at that.” Clarke tells Monty with a grin as they enter the bar.
“Fuck you!” Raven laughs, pushing in front of them to enter the bar.
“You’re not wingman-ing. I don’t even know if he’s working tonight, let alone gay or available, he was just hot. And when Jasper and I came by mid-week the bar was cool.”
“I’m paying you too much if you’re slacking off mid-week.” Clarke grumbles.
“You’re really not. It’s just that getting footage of this couple and their ridiculously attractive friends and family is almost too easy.” Monty shrugs.
“Speaking of…” Raven grins wolfishly, nodding to the bar.
“Is that?” Clarke asks.
“Bellamy Blake, yep.” Raven grins.
“Talking to a very hot guy.” Clarke adds.
“Hot bartender.” Monty confirms.
“Well we’ve been spotted.” Raven says, as Bellamy looks over at them, pauses for a moment then waves.
“Hey guys, what are you doing here?” Bellamy asks when they make their way over to him.
“It’s a bar on Saturday night. What do you think we’re doing?” Raven snarks.
“Sorry, stupid question.” Bellamy laughs.
“Miller, these guys are working on that thing with O.”
“Ahh, the film crew that have been dealing with the Blakes. You all deserve a free shot for that.” Miller grins.
“I like you.” Raven smiles at him, “I’m Raven Reyes. Assistant Director and all around badass”
“Nate Miller. Part time bartender and jack of all trades.” Miller smirks.
“So you told your friend about the show.” Clarke says, sitting up on the stool next to Bellamy, as Monty introduces himself to Miller.
“I know I wasn’t meant to but I was freaking out. I had to talk to someone. Plus Miller can keep a secret.” He huffs.
“You were freaking out, but you hid it so well.” Clarke teases.
“Funny.” He deadpans.
Clarke grins at him and accepts the shot Miller puts in front of her.
“To working with family Blake!” Miller laughs, holding up his shot.
“Fuck you all,” Bellamy grumbles but throws back his shot with the rest of them.
It’s just Clarke and Bellamy at the bar now. Miller is serving some other customers and Raven is playing on the old school arcade games with Monty – Clarke tapped out after she lost three times in a row.
“Raven unsurprisingly is kicking ass on those.” She says sitting back next to Bellamy.
“Why do I get the feeling she kicks ass at everything.” He laughs.
“You have no idea.”
They fall into an easy silence, the bar providing the life around them. Clarke thinks it should be akward, given how they met but it’s not.
“Hey, I uhh, owe you an apology.” Bellamy says, tilting his head slightly to look at her.
“Yeah? A specific one or just a more general sorry I’m an ass variety.” She teases.
“I mean the second one is relevant but I shouldn’t have barged into your office and talked to you like that.”
“No you shouldn’t have.” She acknowledges.
“It’s just my sister and I, we’re all each other has, or has had for a really long time. And sometimes I have trouble remembering she doesn’t need me to fight her battles any more.”
“I know.” Clarke smiles. At Bellamy’s frown she adds, “Extensive background checks on Octavia, remember. You’re mentioned in like, 99 per cent of them.”
“Great.” He huffs embarrassed.
“I know that you’re worried about the whole thing, but I promise I’m not out to get her.”
“That’s basically what she told me too. But more shouty.”
Clarke laughs loudly and feels a rush of something when it makes Bellamy smile too.
“I am sorry though.” He adds.
“We’re all good, don’t worry. Besides you were great on camera today and after the actual ceremony we’re wrapped with you. You won’t have to put up with us for too much longer.”
“Right.” He says absently, running his hand through his hair, and Clarke thinks he’s going to say something else.
Before she can press it, or even think about it further Monty comes back, “I’m not playing against her any more, I don’t know why I never learn. She’s a shark.”
“She is.” Clarke commiserated with him.
“Have another drink, it will help.”