“That would make my life a whole lot easier,” she added.
There was a double meaning there—I could feel it. Was she telling me it was best if we stopped making out every time we were alone? Probably. And while it would be for the best, the thought left me hollow.
“I’ll do everything I can,” I promised, realizing I had no idea how to make good on it. I sounded more like her friend than a television host. Might as well hand in my resignation now.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said—too intimately. I was so wrapped up in her that I’d lost my train of thought.
“So, do you have any other questions for me?” Demi’s voice pulled me out of the stupor she’d induced.
“Uh . . . yes. One more. Did you ever love Jonas?”
I knew she’d said we wouldn’t find the man she loved in her past, but what if Jonas was still in her present? Or what if she’d just been trying to steer me away from him?
She shook her head slowly, deliberately, almost seductively. “I tried to love him. But . . . Icouldn’t.”
The words hit like a riddle. Was she saying she couldn’t because she’d met him after she’d locked her heart? Or because he was a douche? It had to be the latter. Right? She met him in college. No way she’d locked her heart before then.
I would have to ask her later.
“Well, I think he’d like to change your mind.”
I had to say it. It would be good for ratings.
“I hope—for his sake and mine—that’s not true.”
She stood abruptly, ripping off her mic with a flourish.
I hadn’t expected that.
Nor did I expect it when she flung open the door and Jonas was waiting outside, leaning against the wall like he was auditioning forRebel Without a Cause.
“All right, love,” he said, voice smooth. “Knew I’d find you here. Fancy a stroll down by the river?”
Every camera swiveled toward him.
Demi hugged herself. “Jonas, please don’t make this harder than it already is. You know we can’t be together. Goodbye.” She choked out the words and bolted.
I had to stop myself from chasing after her.
Jonas pushed off the wall, casual as ever, with a smug grin plastered across his face.
“Love’s never easy, mate. Bit of a bloody mess, isn’t it?”
He spoke to me like we were oldfriends. We were anything but.
“It can be,” I gritted out.
“Well, I’m off to win my lady love.”
“I don’t think she wants that. You obviously hurt her. So maybe lay off,” I warned.
Jonas gave a low, amused laugh. “How do you know it wasn’t she who hurt me? See you later, mate.”
I stood there seething. He was lying—I knew it. But then the realization hit me like a punch to the face, the cameras were still rolling. And instead of the composed host, I’d just been caught acting like a jealous lover.
This season and Demi were going to lead me to an early grave.
