Doubling back to the first page, I find a clear space and press my lips to the paper, leaving the impression of my red lips for him to find later. It’s a secret, untraceable message from me to him. And I instantly regret it. I’m about to swipe my thumb across the page when I realize that it’ll just create a smudge, which might actually be creepier. No, no, no. This is way more stalker energy than I meant to give off.
Nice, Cabbage Patch, real nice.
Elimination takes place around three in the morning. We’re all bleary-eyed and yawning, but that doesn’t stop the nervous shifting as we wait for Henry to make his entrance. In the row behind mine, a girl yawns loudly, and I find Allison, who fell in the pool, wearing a matching track suit with her still-damp hair swept into a ponytail. At least I can say I didn’t have her night.
The crew staggers all of us on the steps of the château. This is the big elimination that will send home seven girls, and despite the moment Henry and I shared in the guesthouse and the walkie-talkie stuffed down my bra, I think I stand a fifty-fifty chance of going home. Maybe he thinks it would just be easier for us both if he sent me home and we didn’t have to pretend like we’ve never met. Or maybe he doesn’t care, and he’s really just here for his mom—whatever that means. Regardless, I know exactly what I’m here for, and if I stand any shot of taking home that prize money or at the very least making a big enough splash that might end in a job offer or two, I have to last beyond tonight.
“Look alive, ladies!” Beck shouts.
“Roll camera!” someone calls.
“Rolling,” the camerawoman calls back.
“Roll audio!”
“Rolling!”
Behind us the doors of the château open with a creak good enough to be a sound effect, and I can’t help but turn around. This could be the last time I see Henry.
But it’s not Henry. Instead, Chad Winkle, the longtime host ofBefore Midnight, steps out in his signature tux with sparkling deep navy lapels and a matching bow tie. He’s a little more salt-and-pepper than I remember, but in general, Chad has aged well thanks to modern science. He lets out a chuckle as he waves to the contestants, and my stomach flip-flops as I recall the last time I saw him—a New Year’s Eve party hosted by Erica when I was just a freshman in high school. It was my first semifamous-people party after she and Dad got married. (Unless you count the wedding.) Surely, Chad doesn’t remember Anna, Drew, or me, and even if he does, I remind myself that he’s a professional television show host and is totally capable of keeping his cool.
“Good evening, ladies,” he says as he takes his place in front of the line of Rolls-Royces prepared to whisk away the disqualified contestants. Beside him is a column that you’d normally expect to display a sculpture or flower arrangement, but instead there’s a perfectly stacked pyramid of scrolls. “It seems that some of you had some very real connections with Henry this evening. What a lucky man. Let’s bring Henry out!”
Henry steps through the doors of the château, and as he makes his way down the steps, a ripple of giggles follows. He shakes hands with Chad and gives us all a smirk and a nod. “Ladies.”
“You had some tough decisions to make tonight,” says Chad.
“I did. I met a lot of really special people.”
“Well, let’s get to it.”
My stomach clenches into a knot. This is it.
Henry clears his throat to call a name, but Wes shouts, “Cut! Hold your places!”
Irina, Ginger, and Ash run out to Henry and quickly primp, tugging on his suit, tousling his hair, and powdering his forehead.
“Talk about ruining the moment,” Stacy whispers behind me, and I snicker.
After Ash, Irina, and Ginger scatter, we’re back and rolling.
“Addison,” calls Henry, making her the first name to be called.
Predictable. I try not to roll my eyes in case the camera is on me.
He calls a few other names, including Jenny, which is a good look for him, because who wants to be the guy to send the girl who crash-landed on her face home? One by one, they each take a scroll and excitedly unroll it.
“Anna,” he says.
My stepsister squeals, but then doubles back to squeeze Drew’s hand.
Anna gives Henry a hug and thanks him for the scroll.
As she takes her place back on the steps, Henry calls Drew’s name, and I see the tension in her shoulders immediately melt.
Name after name. Sara Claire. Stacy. Allison. Jen K. And then some I don’t know. Amelia. Genevieve. Felicity. Morgan.
And then finally—“Cindy.”
