“I’d put money on Kinley.”
They both glanced in Kinley’s direction, where she was stroking her index finger along the spines of a battered row of Agatha Christie paperbacks. She had an apple in her other hand, and just as she reached the end of the shelf, she took a bite.
Louise chuckled. “I think you might just win that bet.” She leaned over the armrest. “So, what do you think today’s date is going to be?”
Birdie was just about to say she had no idea when the double doors swung open, and Vivian swept in. She was wearing a wine-colored silk blouse that somehow made her hair whiter than it already was. She carried an envelope in her hand, and Birdie’s stomach dropped, because surely she didn’t need an envelope to announce the next date.
“Ladies, it’s time to find out what comes next on this journey. And I’m sure you all know what I mean by that… a one-on-one date with our bachelorette.”
There were claps and cheers, and Birdie tried to predict what that date could be. Possibly a hike up some storybook Provencal hill. Maybe with a basket of figs and cheese waiting at the top. Or another picnic in the vineyard where Alexis would pluck grapes from the vine and feed them seductively to the lucky contestant.
Her mind was filled with every kind of romantic date. All dates Birdie could picture others on. Which, frankly, left a bitter taste in Birdie’s mouth. What if the date was so romantic, the mood so perfect that Alexis ended up kissing someone else?
Birdie plucked the thought out of her head so quickly it was like yanking a splinter out of her thumb. She winced and then set her sights back on Vivian, who held up the envelope.
“There are three paths for today’s adventure,” Vivian said, giving a quick pause. “First, an outing to the lavender distillery in Gordes, where you’ll learn how to make essential oils.”
There was a murmur of approval, and Birdie wasn’t unhappy about the date. She could already imagine herself bottling lavender, rosemary, and a hint of lemon verbena and using it in the diffuser in her bookstore.
“The second date is pétanque in the village square. Which is basically French bocce ball for those of you who didn’t bother with Duolingo before you arrived. And third, a horseback ride through the trails of Roussillon, ending with a glass of rosé on the cliffs,” Vivian said.
Gasps and delighted squeals filled the room, even more so than before. Birdie had taken horseback riding lessons as a kid, usually in the summer when she visited her aunt Jan in Crested Butte, and so of course she could think of nothing better than a ride through Roussillon.
“But here’s the twist,” Vivian said, bringing everyone’s attention back. She tapped the envelope against her palm as if it were a gavel. “The date and the lucky contestant have already been chosen by the viewers. However…” She let the word hang. “If any of you can guess correctly what and who they voted for, you’ll have the chance to swap in and claim that spot for yourself.”
Birdie barely had time to register when Vivian handed out slips of paper. “Write down your answer and then swap it with the person next to you.”
Louise leaned toward Birdie and whispered, “This feels like being back at school.”
Birdie nodded but couldn’t answer because her stomach was all twisty nerves. She needed this. She wanted to spend more time with Alexis, especially after last night. Especially after Alexis had turned stone cold and told her to leave. Birdie needed to know why. She needed to know if it was because Alexis had simply been scared of her feelings.
But what kind of strategy could she even come up with? Her mind raced. Her fingers trembled. Finally, she wrote downDanielle.Horse ridebecause it felt right. Danielle had been overlooked for things so far, and the viewers probably wanted tosee more of her. When Vivian said, “Swap,” she handed her slip to Louise.
Louise had picked Bianca and an essential oil date. Which made Birdie’s heart skip a beat. Of course, the viewers would choose Bianca. She was gorgeous and funny and extremely entertaining, and making essential oils sounded just as romantic.
She bit back a groan just as Vivian said, “Everyone ready?”
She opened the envelope and pulled out a square paper. Her eyes flicked down. “The date the viewers chose is horseback riding with Danielle.”
There were no cheers this time. No excited squeals. And it took a minute for Birdie to realize that she had chosen correctly. She turned to Louise, but Louise was already waving the slip in the air. “Birdie got it right!”
Vivian stepped forward. “Congratulations, Birdie,” she said, looking strangely bemused, as if she didn’t quite believe Birdie could come up with that on her own. “So, what do you want to do?”
Birdie glanced in Danielle’s direction, who glowered at her like she wasn’t above stabbing her in the back with an ice pick. But this was a game, and it was everyone for themselves. Besides, Birdie really wanted to see Alexis again. She really wanted to understand how someone could enjoy themselves that much and then act so cold and distant right after. It had been clear that Alexis had enjoyed herself in the way that her body had moved and shuddered. It had also said as much when she responded, “I’ll take the date.”
“Great! You leave now,” Vivian said with a smirk.
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
And before Birdie knew it, she was being hustled down the steps and into a waiting silver sedan. Her pulse hadn’t caught up yet by the time she slid into the warm leather seat, and then she froze. Alexis was already there, sitting by the window.
“Hi,” Birdie said, her voice catching slightly.
Alexis looked more shocked than surprised. She didn’t smile. In fact, she didn’t do anything other than glance over Birdie’s shoulder as if she was expecting someone else for the date. Maybe even hoping for someone else. If the cameras were here, which, strangely enough, they weren’t, Birdie would’ve found it borderline humiliating.
“Where’s the camera crew?” Birdie asked, sliding into the seat, very aware of her knees and arms and keeping just enough distance from Alexis.
