Eliott is next, his bashful smile charming me instantly. I’m sure his name will be followed by “cinnamon roll hero” when they show him on screen. After him is Luc P., then firefighter Dylan, who arrives in his suit so there’s no doubt that he saves lives, and dentist Charlie.
He actually introduces himself as a dentist, which I don’t love. I counter by asking how he likes my whitened teeth.
First car finished, I prepare for the next batch.
There are too many for me to keep track of all of their names, but there are several that are memorable: Boone, bald and brawny and covered in tattoos. He rides up on a motorcycle and we have to shoot his entrance again because I head straight for the bike when he swings a leg over, all ready to jump on for a ride.
I’ve always had a thing for bad boys.
Then there’s Basher, who commandeered a tour bus, which, given the size of the island, is impressive. He’s the drummer of Water Rhinos, whom I’m proud to say I’ve actually heard of.
“My father will love you,” I tell Basher. “Or maybe not, depending on how much he remembers from his time in his band.”
They have a man who plays tennis, a basketball player who towers over me, and Tanner McGainey. “I know your brother,” is how he introduces himself to me. He’s big and broad and shaggy-haired, with a crooked nose.
“Lucky you.” I roll my eyes. “Which one?”
“Prince Kalle. Hockey. We played Juniors together,” Tanner says, with an adorableaw shucksattitude. “He’s going to hate that I’m on the show here with you.”
I smile and touch his arm. “That’s Kalle’s problem, and I don’t concern myself with my brothers’ problems.”
Jon is big and broody, but I like the way his gaze flicks around before landing on me, like he’s checking the perimeter in full-protect mode. He’s supposedly an alpha—I had to ask for clarification from Ria when she told me, since all I could think of is the alpha of a werewolf pack.
I’m surprised by a few of them: Leo, whom I instantly recognize as not only a former child star on the showTime to Go, but as a recent finalist onDancing with the Stars.
Grayson gives another clear of the throat when I keep talking to Leo—mainly me asking what it was like to be a part of Dancing.
I’m still high from meeting him when the fourth car arrives, bringing fellow Laandian Lucas Nyle.
“Oh, my god!” I cry, hands slapping against my mouth.
“Boy next door,” Lucas says, arms wide. “Or as next door as you can get when you live in a castle.”
I went to school with Lucas, and I’m not surprised when the first thing he does is admit that he’s always had a crush on me. I always knew he had a crush on me.
A girl can tell these things.
It’s not until the fifth limo that I get the first real shock of the evening.
Ashton Carrington gets out of the car.
“No,” I cry, starting to laugh. “Oh, hell no!”
Ashton spreads his arms. “Babe!”
“No way!”
“Why not?” His mock hurt expression doesn’t deter from his model-looks.
A producer thrusts a microphone in my face and Ashton stands by the car, waiting for my reaction to be recorded. “Lyra? How do you know Ashton?”
“I know his twin sister, Fenella. She lives in Battle Harbour and has transformed the town. My brother used to race cars with him. I’ve met Ashton a few times.”
I’ve made out with Ashton a few times, but I’m not about to admit that on camera.
Because we know each other, and Ashton is the last to arrive, they give us longer. Or maybe it’s because Ashton blatantly ignores Grayson’s warning cough.
But finally, I shoo him into the house, sensing Grayson needs a minute with me.
