“No,” Rand admits. “It’s every man for himself.”
“And may the best man win,” Jon adds. “She deserves only the best of us.”
That’s sweet. I don’t think I can be that honourable. I want Lyra to be withme, even if I’m not the best one here.
The realization doesn’t make me feel good. “Is this what it’s like?” I demand, unable to keep the note of sudden irritation frommy voice. “We just sit around and do nothing when she’s out with other guys?”
I’m irritated because I hate the thought of Lyra with anyone else. With Jon’s daughter. Helping Leo with his career. Bringing a smile to moody Boone’s face.
I hate this whole thing.
Why can’t I be the one out with Lyra tonight? We could talk and sort things out and then—
And then I don’t know what would happen. How would it work if Lyra picked me out of all these men?
What would happen if Lyra picked me?
What would happen if she didn’t?
“That’s what you signed up for.” Boone has a resting scowl face, the bad boy of the group, and definitely gives off that vibe even when the cameras aren’t rolling. “Feel free to take off if you can’t handle it.”
“Did you sign up for it?” Fireman Dylan asks me.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Could be a royal family thing,” Leo muses. “You could be here to check up on Lyra.”
“You think I’m some sort of spy for the royal family?” I manage a laugh, but it’s not the first time I’ve heard that. “That’s not how the king works.”
“How does he work?” Jon wants to know.
“King Magnus?”
He nods. “Does he agree with all this?” He waves his hand around the room and I get that he’s not talking about the newly renovated hotel.
“Lucas tried to tell us about him, but I think he was full of it,” Dylan leans against the wall.
“And he’s gone now,” Boone points out. “Lucas. You have something to do with that? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Lucas was full of it,” I tell them. “He claimed a longtime crush on Lyra, said he broke up with his girlfriend, but I don’t think he really did. He’s never been a fan of the family. I’d say he was here solely for the attention, or that he was out to embarrass Lyra somehow.”
“So you are here checking up on her?” Jon doesn’t sound happy about that possibility.
“No, I’m here because I’m an idiot.” I’ve never been one to admit my shortcomings in public, but saying it out loud doesn’t make it any less true. “I should have told Lyra a long time ago how I feel about her.”
“Cameras should have been rolling for that little confession,” Leo says ruefully. “You’d be even more of a contender.”
“His name is already pretty far up that board.” Dylan grimaces.
There is a whiteboard at the end of the hallway by the kitchen. Every morning, there’s a few names written on it, those men considered as front-runners.
Basher was obviously top today after getting the date rose, but my name has been on it since I got here.
I shrug. I suspect it’s the producers who decide who’s on the list, not Lyra. “We’ve got a history. I’m not apologizing for that.”
“Everyone likes a second chance romance,” Leo muses. “But did you even have a first chance with her?”
“I met Lyra the day she was born,” Why am I telling them this? And I’ve never once told anyone how I feel about Lyra. “She’salways been a big part of my life. And no—this would be my first chance, because I never took one with her in all the years I’ve known her. I’m in the same boat as you are.”
