“Hmm…” was all she replied.
It wasn’t the sort of response he’d anticipated. Easton had known Chantelle from the time she was born; he knew how exuberant she could get over things like this.Something’s not right.
Slowly then, his mind repeating the notion along the way, Easton moved his gaze back to the warm interior of the diner, first to the old oak table and paper placemats, then up to his sister.
His pulse jumped as he took in her expression—eyes dark and conflicted, her forehead and jaw tight with worry. Or even fear.
“What’s wrong, Chantelle?” A painful push of anxiety shot through his form, tightening his limbs as memories rushed in, of times he’d seen that expression before. Moments she’d upset Mom or Dad, or on nights she feared one of their visitors might break into their room.
“Is it the baby?What?”
Chantelle shook her head and gripped onto the sides of the small table. “You said that Ivy agreed tonotsend the interview and contract, right?”
Where was she going with this? And just why was it causing her so much concern? “Right,” he urged.
“Is it possible that she…trickedyou somehow?”
This was not a direction he saw coming. Yet, as off base as her comment might be, the upset surging throughout his body multiplied.
“Why would you even suggest that?” Sure, he sounded angry now, but that’s because he was. Chantelle hadn’t even met Ivy. Who was she to make accusations? She was probably just upset that he was backing out of the bet.
“Ivy wasn’t trying totrickme out of doing the show,” he insisted. “In fact, it would have beenfarbetter for her career if Ihaddone it. She probably lost a promotion over it.”
But the look on his sister’s face didn’t change. The crease along her brow only deepened as she assessed him. Quietly. Painfully.
“Hey, if you’re just ticked off because I backed out of the bet, get over it. If yourrealreason for wanting me to go on there was to help me find someone—mission accomplished, okay? I found someone that I can actually see a positive future with. You should be celebrating the fact, not…taking shots at the one woman I finally…letin.”
“Trust me, Easton, I want to, but there’s something you don’t know.” She shot a sideways glance toward the front of the café, guiding his attention to a small crowd gathered there.
He squinted to survey the scene, unable to guess at what the danger might be, when his phone started to ring. Easton’s head swayed as he glanced at the screen. “It’s Ivy.”
Chantelle nodded as if she knew something. “Get it if you want, but I’m afraid she’s been lying to you.”
His thumb felt numb as he tapped the screen and pulled the device to his ear. “Ivy?”
“I’m so sorry, Easton,” she said in a rush. “They found your interview and your waiver too. If you don’t already know, they’ve landed in Denver and are headed your way.”
He pressed the phone closer to his ear and searched the cluster of people at the entrance. “Who’s they?”
“The recording crew forLooking For Love.Marsha’s holding you to your contract, and there’ll be repercussions if you don’t follow through.”
Easton turned a look on his sister. “Youknewabout this?”
Chantelle tipped her head apologetically, but Ivy answered through the line before his sister could. “No!Easton, I—"
“We have a special announcement, patrons,” the owner, Jessie, declared, a small megaphone to her lips. She was heading his way with an entourage of gawkers and camera crew at her heels.
“How’d they know I’d be here?” he hissed under his breath.
Chantelle leaned over the table. “I told them, of course. They said you were selected for the show and this is the next step. They film your reaction.”
“Easton?” Ivy came through the line.
Fury flared within him. Chantelle was right—Ivyhadbetrayed him. All to get her stupid promotion? His jaw clenched hard. “Man,” he breathed. “I really am a sucker, aren’t I? It’s been nice doingbusinesswith you, Ivy.” Easton pressed the small power button with more strength than necessary and fisted the device as the crowd approached.
“We have one of America’s most eligible bachelors in our midst, friends,” Jessie continued as she neared. “Right here at table number six.”
Easton straightened as a man with a wide-lens camera propped on his shoulder came into view. This could not be happening. A woman with an identical-looking camera locked her lens on his sister.
