“I’m gonna go find Joe and set the world right.” Taylor touches my arm again before hurrying across the room. I don’t know why she bothers telling me where she’s going. I’m not responsible for her, and I don’t care.
The more distance between us, the better.
“Alex,” a familiar voice booms, stealing my attention. “I’ve been looking for you!”
Whipping around, I see Julian making his way toward me. He’s all smiles as he wraps his arms around me in a hug.
“Surprise, asshole! I’m on this journey with you.”
Caught off guard, I stumble back. “What are you doing here? If you’re here, who is handlingPrismback home?”
“Hell if I know, man. Your dad just told me to pack my bags and get here. Something about keeping an eye on his spoiled, pretentious son.”
My face contorts, his smile widening at my expense.
I continue toward the door, needing some fresh air, and glance at Julian as he falls into step beside me. His smirk lets me know that he knows he got under my skin.
“What’s the plan here? Are we just… hanging out until the cameras roll?”
Before I can answer, one of the producers, a sharp-eyed woman with a clipboard tucked under her arm, intercepts us.
“Alex, Julian—good, you made it. We need to give you a quick rundown before we hit the live prep.” She gestures to a table piled with scripts and schedules.
“Don’t worry, it’s mostly logistics and technicalities. Julian, just stay out of the way of the contestants. And, Alex… try to look a little less, you know, like that.”
With a wave of her arm toward me, she’s gone.
I snort, crossing my arms. “I don’t know what she means. I look great, totally thrilled to be here.”
Julian claps me on the shoulder. “That’s the spirit.”
I don’t say anything as I watch Taylor breeze past again, cookies in hand. Guess she hasn’t found Joe yet.
Maybe he quit.
My attention drifts to the contestants. It’s easier to catalog other people’s nerves than sit with my own. RaeAnn is perched in a makeup chair, a stylist fussing over her eyeliner while she chats animatedly.
Khalil is stretched across a couch, headphones on, scrolling through his phone. There’s a buzz of quiet nerves and forced excitement everywhere. I can’t help noticing the micro-gestures though: Jasper biting his lip, Chloe fiddling with one of her many bracelets, Khalil’s incessant shaking of his right foot.
And then there’s Taylor. She’s zeroed in on Joe, who’s seated at one of the production tables. She kneels beside him, offering a cookie with a laugh. He beams at her, running a hand through his hair before cautiously plucking one from the container with a nod.
Her hand brushes his arm. It’s the same gesture she used with me only moments ago. A stupid pang of jealousy twists my stomach. I scowl in their direction, forcing myself to ignore the heat simmering under my skin.
I don’t get jealous.
There’s nothing to be jealous of.
“She’s gorgeous,” Julian mumbles beside me, noticing my gaze. “You’re literally staring, man.”
“Shut up,” I grunt, though my eyes don’t leave her.
The producer from before approaches again and clears her throat, drawing our attention back.
“Alex, Julian, like I said, we need you both over here. We have some last-minute prep notes from the Harrington Group’s HR team. It’ll only take five minutes. Then we can gather everyone and get rolling.”
I didn’t realize we were supposed to follow her.
Casting one last glance at Taylor—laughing with Joe like he’s the most hilarious person she’s ever met—I follow to where I’m needed with an eye roll. Nobody’s that funny in real life.
