The door to Rebecca's office burst open with a bang. Holding an imaginary microphone, Ted entered the room, playing the role of a game show announcer.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said in a loud voice, like he was speaking to a large audience. "Welcome back for another round of – drumroll please – Biscuits with the Boss! Are you ready for a season two premiere?"

With each word of his question, the man shook his head up and down, now giving off the vibes of a music star. His wide-legged stance, with one hand high in the air, reminded Rebecca of this one concert she attended as a teen. Many thoughts fought for her attention, but one thing was sure – Ted got her entire attention.

She closed the lid of her laptop.

"Someone's in a good mood."

All the pretending dropped immediately, the man walked up to her desk. He shifted his backpack to wear it on his front, unzipped one pocket, and searched for something without looking.

"Well, since I was as sure as Leonardo DiCaprio finally getting his Oscar that I'll no longer be here for this season… I realize that every day is a gift, you know? Like each day that Jimmy Matthews didn't draw an anatomically incorrect picture of male genitals in my notebook the moment I was called on in class. That was an actual non-Christmas miracle."

Having found what he was looking for, Ted handed the pink box full of biscuits to Rebecca. She opened it to get a deep sniff of sugar and spices that always teleported her home.

"Kids," she said in response to Ted's story. "They can be such pricks sometimes."

"Oh no, that was in college," Ted replied, his face dead serious.

Rebecca's brows raised to her forehead, but she quickly recovered. Without missing a beat, she asked,

"What would you say for yet another?"

"Drawing?"

She snorted. "Gift."

Ted's face lit up. "Yes please, Louise."

His eyes widened at how nervous his boss seemed as she stood up from her desk, walked around it, and pointed for him to sit down. He obeyed, of course; now looking like a schoolboy called to the principal's office. His eyes followed her as she approached the small table where she kept beverages. Her back to him, Rebecca looked over her shoulder and asked,

"How do you take your coffee?"

The question surprised him, which he hid behind a soft smile.

"And here I was all these days, thinking you didn't own a coffee machine. I must tell ya, you offering me tea instead of a double cappuccino? It feels like a real kick to the shin."

"I didn't," said Rebecca, looking down at him. "But then I thought, if you can bring me home-made biscuits every day, offering you a cup of coffee is the least I can do. I call it Coffee with the Coach."

"Oh, I love that!" replied Ted, trying to outshout the grinder. "You still on hairpins and needles about the truth bomb you threw in my face, huh?"

Avoiding eye contact, Rebecca handed him an American-sized cup filled to the brim with hot liquid he bet didn't taste like pigeon sweat. Taking a seat behind her desk, she took out a piece of shortbread, pointing it in his direction.

"Maybe," she stated with an eyeroll. "Maybe not. Cheers."

Metaphorically clinking a biscuit with a coffee cup, Rebecca watched Ted closely as he took the first sip. She mimicked his hum in approval as she took a bite.

They were both startled by Keeley's sudden entrance.

"Hi!" She stood next to Ted, pointing her finger between him and Rebecca. "You guys alright? You both jumped when I came in. Were you talking about me?"

"Yes," stated Rebecca in a tense voice.

"No," Ted replied almost at the same time.

"Huh," said Keeley, a little suspicious. However, she didn't care enough to dig deeper. "Anyway, I'm on a roll! Bantr just reached 10k downloads this morning."

"Great job, Keeley."

"Oh, thank you, Ted. Are you one of those 10k?"

With all eyes on him, Ted shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"No, ma'am. I don't think I'm looking for anything right now."

"Shit," said Keeley, evidently disappointed. "Seems like Rebecca here is my only test rat." Turning to Rebecca, the woman quickly added, "And I mean that in the most positive way. Speaking of, any updated on your secret admirer?"

"Keeley!" Rebecca mouthed, discretely nodding in Ted's direction.

With a curious sparkle in his eyes, Ted looked from one woman to the other.

"You've got a secret admirer, Boss? Why didn'tcha say so? Is it my hair?" He brushed his hair with his free hand.

"What? No," replied Rebecca with maybe too much haste. "There's nothing to say. We've exchanged like five messages in total. It's not even a proper conversation. Don't be silly."

There was a pause. Ted nodded his head in understanding.

"I hear ya. Talking online with strangers is kinda like opening your front door to a buff guy wearing a Freddy Kruger mask. Scary and exciting at the same time."

Rebecca's face hardened. "I'm not scared."

Full of uncontainable excitement, Keeley rocked back and forth on her heels.

"Oh, come on, Rebecca! Even the boys promised to keep me in the loop."

At that moment. Rebecca was hit with a sudden realization.

"Oh shit, what if I'm on the chat with someone I know? That would be beyond awkward."

In the place of understanding, Ted offered her an encouraging smile.

"Hey, who knows? Your very own soulmate might be closer than you think." Before the woman was given any chance to respond, his attention shifted back to Keeley. "Speaking of – Keeley, any idea where I can find your grumpier half?"

She gave out a soft chuckle.

"You mean Roy? Lemme see…" She checked her phone, scrolling through some screens. "He's coaching Phoebe's team as we speak. After that, he's going to his kebab place for lunch."

"Great news. Please send me a pin." Ted drank the rest of his coffee all at once before getting to his feet. "I need to speak with him asap. Make him an offer he can't refuse."

"Ted, you have…" said Rebecca, pointing at her lips.

Indeed, there were milk residues on his facial hair. A milk moustache, in both senses of the words. He licked them off awkwardly before heading towards the door.

"Nice catching up with ya – and see you tomorrow at Coffee with the Coach, Boss!"

Ted and Rebecca both saluted to one another. As he was closing the door, the man heard Keeley's voice from the other side of it.

"Now, I want all the details. What did he write? How many other blokes are you talking to? Oh, this is so exciting!"

Running down the stairs and out of the building to meet up with Roy, Ted made up his mind. He searched the app store for Bantr and clicked install.