The dates would be determined by the audience and if history were any indication, group dates. Modern-day harems, as Kendra liked to call them.
Belle prayed she’d get voted off by then. At least she knew that Erik wasn’t going to pick her. A small consolation, especially when she was jealous. She worried the bell charm, the bracelet feeling like a constraint at times. Lord help her, but she was jealous.
Irina laughed, the sound echoing inside the warehouse. “Erik, you are too funny.”
The audience seemed to agree with her, their laughter an unpleasant buzz in Belle’s ears. Rufus thumped his tail, his increased pants catching Belle’s attention. She knelt by his side and he stared at her, eyes half shut. Scratching him behind the ear, he put a paw on her leg. “Good boy.”
He put more weight on his leg and she wobbled at bit, praying she didn’t topple over backward. This was all on her and not the show. If she embarrassed herself, it would be on camera and it would be entirely her fault.
A sturdy leg stopped her backward momentum. Erik knelt behind her and petted Rufus on the top of his head. Her back was tucked into his chest and she resisted the need to lean back and accept his support. She couldn’t do that.
“I see you found a friend,” he said.
In more ways than one. “Yes, he’s such a sweet dog and he’ll make an excellent companion for some lucky person in the audience,” Belle said. They were on film in front of a lot of people. Given the nature of the show, nobody would say anything if she gave in and snuggled against him. Of course, the ratings would skyrocket, a common thing when she and Erik got close. She continued to be in the higher percentile amongst the viewers and she wasn’t sure how to feel about that.
She wasn’t a horrible person but she wasn’t that interesting. At least she didn’t think so. It was the way the show manipulated the footage, and her undeniable chemistry with Erik. Kendra said it oozed off the screen. Kendra was known to exaggerate. Regardless, it was the illusion of her and Erik as a couple that appealed to people.
Belle stood and Rufus dropped his paw. Erik took the leash.
“If you’re interested in either Rufus or the rabbit, or both, please put your name on the list at the door,” Darius said. “And now that Irina is here, she and Erik will man the desk after we finish the show.”
Taking the hint, Belle slipped her arm through Erik’s proffered one. Irina clasped the other. Irina was also an audience favorite. So far, she’d talked to the women in the green room a bit, but since it wasn’t televised, most of the women kept to themselves.
Tim was in the backroom and looked up from his phone when they entered.
Belle met with Tim before every show and he’d tried to get her to trash talk her fellow contestants. She hadn’t taken the bait and she was certain the other women hadn’t been so discreet.
She released Erik’s arm but Irina continued to hang on. With the largest percentage of votes going to Belle, it was understandable that she and the other women would be a bit peeved. She’d find out soon enough. The more women voted off, the more air time that was freed up. Belle shuddered just thinking about it.
Mary brought out two more mixed breed dogs, and waited patiently while Irina dragged Erik over to the grooming table. A long-haired cat watched their approach. Irina cooed over the cat, stroking the white animal with genuine affection. “He is so pretty.”
“Very beautiful,” Erik said, smiling at the other woman. “And the cat is pretty too.”
Irina reached up and offered him a peck on the cheek. “You are such a charmer.” She frowned at the lipstick her action caused and she raised her arm and brushed at the mark with her thumb.
Please! Belle shifted her attention to a little wirehaired dog named Sampson. The surge of jealousy that raged through her threatened to burn through her resolve. Watching Erik kiss Irina on TV was bad enough. In person, simply seeing her kiss his cheek was torture. It was Belle who insisted they cool the physical. But it was hard. Very hard.
Sampson licked her jaw and she tried to avoid his tongue. He had a grey muzzle, a faint hint of cataracts. These were old dogs needing their forever home. She pressed her cheek to the animal’s and scratched his floppy ear.
“Belle and Erik will continue on with the show. Irina, you’ll need to stay back here,” Tim said.
The woman didn’t look happy with the instructions but she said nothing to Tim. “Erik, do not miss me too much,” she said, blowing him a kiss.
“I’m sure he will,” Belle said with marked sarcasm, moving past Erik to the hallway.
“Hold up.” Erik gripped her forearm, stopping her before she could return to the runway.
She halted and tilted her head. The dog squirmed in her arms. She petted his head to calm him down. “What’s wrong?”
“I could ask you the same thing. You look pissed.” The dog he held was much calmer, the little pug releasing a series of soft snorts.
“Whatever gave you that idea?” She had to play this off. Yes, she’d said it in a catty way but that was all on her, not him.
He settled his hand on his hips. “Your snarky remark. I didn’t know she’d be here.”
“I didn’t think you had. It’s part of the show. The less contestants, means more air time to fill in the episodes. Irina’s simply playing the game.” Belle was a bystander, a means to an end for Erik. His success was her success.
He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not talking about the show.”
