I hugged Brinley, needing some comfort before I faced my supposed true love, turned not true love, turned nemesis, turned best kiss I’d ever had. Okay, so I may have fudged the numbers a little. But since it appeared he was not the man for me, I didn’t want him to go around thinking that he’d given me the best kiss of my life.
“That sounds fun.” I tried to sound enthusiastic. Being a cheerleader with a locked heart was exhausting.
She squeezed me back. “Apparently, Diego makes a mean brisket.”
I leaned back and smiled. “Yummy.” I feared I always sounded flat. What scared me more was that I would sound flat—beflat—for the rest of my life if I didn’t complete this quest. But honestly, I was looking forward to the barbecue and hanging out with all the cast members. Especially outside of our scheduled activities.
“By the way,” Brinley whispered. “Be careful in there. Roman is real testy. I don’t think they like the way this season is going. And.” She wrinkled her nose. “He showed me clips from your initial interview with him. First, you totally looked like a super babe, as always. Anyway, he asked me what I thought of it. And if all our friendships were genuine, even with the guys.”
Indignation swelled inside me. I wanted to march into the stupid Blueprint Room and give Roman a piece of my mind. Was he seriously trying to pit the other cast members against me and make them question my motives? And to think I’d kissed him last night and more than liked it. Ugh. He was dead to me. Like, I would throw him in Tartarus myself.
I bit my lip nervously. “So what did you say?”
She waved her hand in front of me, all smiles. “Please, I saw right through it. It was obvious they were trying to make you this season’s bad girl. Honestly, I thought it would be me. These shows always like to pick on the influencers.”
She shrugged.
“I told him as much. And it was plain to see in that initial interview that you’ve really been hurt in your life. It’s so sad about your mom and never getting to go to the Olympics. That’s brutal.”
She took a breath.
“And honestly, it’s no wonder they tried to make you the bad girl. You had such a good girl image back in the day. Weirdly, people have a fascination with the whole good-girl-gone-bad thing. I mentioned that too. And of course I told him what we all had together is the real deal. Besties for life,” she sang like it was our theme song.
Brinley was my new favorite person. Well, besides Cassie. She had no idea how grateful I was to her in that moment. I gave her another big hug.
“Thank you, Brinley. Thank you for trying to see past the exterior.”
“You don’t need to thank me,” she said. “Honestly, you’re amazing. I love how you’ve brought us all together. There’s just something about you. It makes me feel hopeful. Like maybe I really will find love. But if not, I’m just happy that I get to be here with all of you.”
I swallowed hard, guilt swirling in my chest. She probably would have already found love if it weren’t for me. But truth be told, I was happy I got to be here with all these women too. And even the guys. I mean, Blaine had promised to teach me how to arrange my own bouquet.
“I’m happy I got to meet all of you too.” I just hoped that when it was all said and done, I would remember them and they would remember me. And with any luck, I’d help them all find love. But first I had to face Roman. He had just re-earned the title of nemesis.
Brinley gave me one more good squeeze. “Well, good luck in there. See you soon.”
“Bye.” I waved as she turned and walked down the hall.
Seconds later, a crew member waved me into the Blueprint Room. “We’re ready for you.”
Oh, I was ready too. Ready to confront Roman. Lying sack of garbage and annoyingly phenomenal kisser that he was.
I marched in there already wearing my softball “uniform.” A curve-hugging baby blue jersey and jean shorts.
Roman looked up while I was getting mic’d.
Our eyes locked.
And just like that, I felt it. The guilt rolled off him in waves. Thick. Heavy. Mythical-grade remorse.
Yeah, buddy. I know exactly what kind of crap you just pulled in here.I was so ready to call him out on it.
He cleared his throat and pointed to the seat across from him. The same dumb blue velvet chair I’d sat in last time.
The crew all tensed up, including Jazzy in the background, as if they knew a storm was brewing. Oh, believe me, it was. Even the part of me who’d been a card-carrying member of the Roman Archer Fan Club was riled up. And you didn’t want to mess with her. She knew things. Had the power to make or break your love life and spill the beans about your deepest desires. Not that I would.
But Roman needed to know who he was dealing with.
I sat down, crossed my legs, and smiled at him. Sickly sweet. The kind of smile that said,I’m about to ruin your day.
