Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67831 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 339(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 226(@300wpm)
“Don’t cry,” Grace says, fumbling a tissue from her giant production assistant bag of tricks. “Oh please, don’t. Your face will get all puffy and we won’t be able to shoot for hours. Everything isn’t over! Ainsley’s a genius in a crisis. She’ll find a way to calm things down and get Jenna off your back. We just need to keep our heads down, get through today, and I’m sure things will look better tomorrow.”
“No, you don’t understand, I can’t…” I trail off, my pulse picking up as the driver slows in front of the Madison Spa and Suites, where the rest of the cast is already gathered outside, dressed in pale green scrubs under their coats and scarves.
Ainsley is there too, and appears to be trying to herd the others into a large van parked in front of us, but it’s too late.
They’ve already spotted me.
As I emerge from the car, all three of my fellow contestants turn my way. None of them look pleased, but Millie’s wounded expression hits the hardest. She looks so disappointed, so betrayed, like I’ve proven to her that girl power isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
I step forward, compelled to make things right.
But before I can speak, Jenna thrusts an accusing finger my way and shouts, “There you are, you cheating sack of shit. I knew it! People like you are all the same. You act like sugar wouldn’t melt in your mouth. Meanwhile, you’re sharpening your knife, ready to stab it into the closest back as soon as you get the chance.”
“That’s not what happened,” I say. “If you’ll just let me—”
“Let you explain?” Jenna cuts in, still shouting loud enough that we’re starting to attract a crowd of curious onlookers. “Explain what? That you and the producer have been dating months? Years? Tell me, Goody, did you cook up this plan to put money in your own pockets together or was it all your idea?”
My chin rears back in shock. “What? No! I never—”
“Let’s get inside,” Grace says, touching a hand to my arm. To Jenna she says, “We’re investigating the situation. I promise, we’re taking this very seriously. If there’s any sign that the competition has been compromised, we’ll—”
“I don’t trust your investigation,” Jenna cuts in.
“Me, either,” Eduardo adds, sending another arrow sailing into my chest. “I want a neutral third party to look into this. Someone without skin in the game.”
“Please,” I say, resisting Grace’s attempts to draw me toward the spa’s door. “I didn’t do anything wrong. Neither did Leo. Yes, we’ve developed feelings for each other, but I just met him a few days ago! And he didn’t tell me anything about the competition in advance or try to help me win in any way. I swear to you.”
“Bullshit,” Jenna seethes. “I don’t believe a word that comes out of your lying mouth.”
“Please, Millie,” I say, casting a beseeching gaze her way. “I would never do something like that. I know we don’t know each other well, but I’m not a cheater. I swear, I’m not built that way. I would never betray an enemy, let alone a friend. And I…” I suck in a quick breath, fighting to keep it together. “I consider you a friend. I really do. I hope we can still be friends when I leave the show. I’d really love that.”
“You should leave the show right now,” Jenna says before Millie can respond. “If you were actually the decent human being you pretend to be, you’d already be gone.”
“I just found out about the video and the accusations a minute ago, on the ride over,” I say, meeting her glare with one of my own. “But you’re right, Jenna. For once. I will be leaving the show. Right now.” I pull the lapel mic from the top of my coat and press it into Grace’s unwilling hand.
“Oh no,” she says, panic flaring in her blue gaze. “Please, Caroline, don’t leave. Like I said, let’s just get through the day and—”
“I’m sorry. I have to go,” I say, backing down the sidewalk. “I’ll get my things from the hotel and be out of the city as soon as possible.”
“The hell you will,” comes a deep, devastatingly familiar voice from behind me.
I spin to see Leo, looking like he just rolled out of bed, standing not two feet away. But even with his hair sticking up all over and tired, puffy eyes, he’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.
The realization that I’ll never touch him again, never feel his arms around me or his lips on mine, hits hard enough to make me wince.
A beat later, I’m running in the opposite direction, heart hammering as Leo calls out, “Wait, Caroline! For God’s sake, please wait! Caroline. Caroline, I love you!”
twenty-two
. . .
Leo
For a heart-shattering second, I’m not sure she’s going to stop.