Seven
Nate
Ispend the next hour interviewing Addison, who bitches the entire time about Madison and how she “stole” the At First SightTiara before anyone else really had a chance, and dishes about their previous rivalries as pageant girls. It’s important stuff, because I’m guessing the two of them are going to be the focus of the first episode’s drama.
But my mind is back with Becca. She seemed at once hesitant and uncomfortable—maybe because being in the house, it all feels more overwhelming?—and also somewhat taken with Preston. And why shouldn’t she be? He’s Prince Charming. Everything we do here is focused on making these women fall in love with him.
There are other things I don’t want to read into her hesitance, things I’m more afraid might be there. Like regret over the things she said to me in the carriage. Like she’s making sure that I know she didn’t mean anything by it. And of course she didn’t. She was bored and nervous and looking for someone to pass the time with—nothing more.
It’s not a rejection. It shouldn’t feel like one. But it stings, anyway, much as I try to ignore it.
I finish my interview with Addison and step out, meaning to ask who’s up for interviews next. Instead, Levi, the lead producer, pulls me by the arm into the kitchen. When the girls are living here, this will be stocked with food so they can fix their own meals, but for tonight, it’s being used as a break room and staging room for the producers and the crew. Microphones and mic packs are lined up on the counter, and there’s a bunch of recording equipment stacked along the counters next to the sink.
I’m half expecting to be chewed out for flirting with a contestant.They’ve probably reviewed the carriage audio by now, and yeah, some of that got out of hand. But I get that I shouldn’t have done that, and I’m committed to maintaining a respectful distance. I’m new at this, and it’s a weird night. It’s going on one AM by now, what with all the introductions and conversations and interviews, and we’re all tired. And yes, I’ve obviously developed feelings for Becca that I shouldn’t have, and after tonight I’m going to have to take some deep breaths and remind myself that she’s dating a guy who dresses up like aprinceand that I don’t have a shot in hell here and would get fired if I did.
I’d hoped to be able to hide it from my boss until I got a hold of myself, though.
“Hey,” I say, leaning against the counter. “I hope it didn’t look like I was—”
“Hey, man,” Levi says, “I just wanted to tell you what a fucking great job you’re doing out there.”
I blink at him. I’ve been interviewing the contestants like I’m supposed to and trying not to cling to Becca all night like I’m jealous, which I am.
What have I done that’s all that special?
“Thanks,” I say, because even though I’m confused, I’m not an idiot.
“Seriously, dude.” He talks like a surfer and dresses the part in a plain red t-shirt and a pair of cargo shorts. I think this is supposed to make him relatable, but really, it just makes me feel annoyed every time I talk to him. “I had my doubts when we hired you, and I don’t mind saying I argued against it. I just didn’t get a good vibe from you, and I don’t know why.”
Now I want to punch him. I force myself to smile, as if I, too, find it a complete mystery why this white guy with his mostly white crew of producers on his mostly white television show could possibly have gottenbad vibesfrom me.
“But, man,” he says, clapping me on the shoulder, “you proved me wrong. I was worried about that Becca chick, too. She seemed a little closed off in her initial interview, but she sure opens up to you. I heard some of the audio you got in the carriage. Great stuff!The thing aboutTinder—that’s going to get people’s attention, for sure.The hot mom who’s even hotter in bed—people are going to eat this up.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. Becca was worried her story would be all about pity for her past, and this is . . . not that.
But maybe not in a good way.
“Thanks,” I say weakly.
“Dude, you’ve got her wrapped around your finger,” Levi continues. “Keep that up. We’re going to need a connection like that to get the goods from her when the real drama starts.”
“Sure,” I say, and Levi slaps me on the arm one more time and then breezes out through the kitchen. I brace myself against the counter, feeling like I’m going to be sick.
This is my job.This is what I do—I coax stories out of people. I did that with Jason, but Jason waswilling. And yeah, these girls signed up for this, but they’re here for the promise offinding loveand maybe having a little adventure. Not being manipulated by douches like Levi.
I am one of those douches now, and if I don’t get my priorities straight, this job—and my chance to break into television—are going to be gone. Opportunities like this don’t come along every day, and I’d be an idiot to waste it.
Becca wants to date Preston. It’s not my fault that the show manipulates people—they’ll be doing that whether I’m here or not.
For right now, my boss thinks I’m doing a good job, and that should be enough, no matter what it costs.
I know that’s true, but I still don’t feel entirely convinced.
The night goes on, and the women get increasingly drunker and louder. Madison parades around imperiously with perfect pageant posture, making sure everyone knows she has the At First SightTiara, as if anyone could miss it. Levi has us cut off the alcohol forty minutes before the tiara ceremony starts, because he doesn’t want anyone having trouble standing straight. When we line them up on the terrace where we’re filming the ceremony—with an ornate iron table covered in nineteen more identical tiaras—Madison is the first to get in place, preening for the camera.
I wonder what she’s going to look like on camera, because in person, she looks ridiculous.
I herd the other girls onto the terrace, and find Becca with her head resting on the back of a settee. She looks up at me sleepily. Could be that it’s past four AM, and we’re all feeling a little droopy, but—
