“I’m beginning to think I don’t want to know more,” Kendra said.
“I know, it blows the illusion of the show. I’m sorry I’m ruining it for you. I won’t say another word. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll go to bed.” And bury her head in the pillow until the humiliation was finally over.
“No, you’ll set your ass down and watch the show with me.” The commercial break was over and Kendra unmuted the sound. “It’s like a bad train wreck, one I can’t look away from. Now hush, I want to hear everything, then you can fill in the backstory.”
EE: You’ll have to be more vigilant
BK: Since I won’t be on past this episode, I don’t think that’ll be a problem.
Belle appeared on the screen again. They were standing at the door of the green room and she removed his jacket. He clutched it, the camera moving to his face. Her pulse began to pick up once more and she touched her lips, waiting for what was coming next.
The commercial came back and Erik was standing with her at the door. She was minus the jacket. They panned in on her eyes closing. “Boy, they sure did cake on the makeup. I can barely see my eyes for those lashes—"
“Shhh,” Kendra said, waving her hand in the air.
Belle wrinkled her nose. Music swelled and they cut to Erik leaning in to kiss her. She swallowed, her mind screaming to look away. Her eyes were glued to the screen. Watching him kiss her on national television was surreal. The tingly feeling was no less intense at the memory.
“You kissed him! Why did you let him give you the kiss of death?”
“I know. I panicked.” Not exactly the truth.
“You don’t look panicked to me.” Kendra knocked Belle’s knee with her own, a knowing look in her eye. “You look like you’re enjoying it.”
“Shut up, Kendra.”
“I can’t say I blame you. Whew, what a kiss. Was it good?” She held up a staying hand. “Wait, don’t answer that.”
Good? It was great. Perfect. No, better than perfect. She kept the truth to herself. She’d been drunk and on the set of her favorite show—one she’d dreamed about being on. And Erik was hard to resist.
“My dress is going to fall down. Don’t let me go.” her voice came over the speakers and the blush that had crept into her cheeks turned into an outright burn.
“They caught me on the hot mic,” she buried her face in the pillow again. “I’m worse than a mere slut or a klutz. I am the slutty-klutzy hybrid. Slutzy.”
Laughing, Kendra clasped Belle’s wrist and squeezed it. “At least you’re not the bitch. Which leaves the last woman. The other six have been pretty forgettable.”
“I’m supposed to be forgettable,” she whined. “I don’t want to be on the show. Those women do.”
“But you’re on it and you looked beautiful. And I know you don’t want to hear this, but he’s into you.”
“He’s an actor and I have to admit, I’m impressed with his skills.” She chose to ignore Kendra’s statement. “I got him an audition for a national commercial.”
“That’s awesome news and you can try to change the subject all you want. That kiss was hot.”
Lucky for her, the show moved on to the next contestant. Irina.
“Now she’s the bitch.” Kendra turned up the volume. “But from the way they keep hyping her up, she’ll be his Fiancé.”
The woman walked out on set and slid her hands over his eyes. In Erik’s jacket. The same jacket she’d handed off to Tim after reaching the safety of her dressing room.
“She’s actually pretty nice.” Belle had been pleasantly surprised. Watching the segment, she had to admit that Erik and Irina had chemistry on camera, a key component for the show.
Kendra flashed Belle a disgruntled look for the contradiction.
“For a bitch,” Belle added to placate her friend. They had pigeonholed the contestants in the past and like it or not, Belle would be profiled.
Grinning, Kendra nodded. “Everyone has to play their part. Including you.”
“As long as I’m not the Fiancé, I guess I can deal with it.” She was just glad she wouldn’t be the recipient of a proposal.
