Fake is easy.
If I ignore the hollow ache sitting in my chest, maybe I can almost believe it.
CHAPTER 6
HE’S LIKE A LABRADOR IN WORK BOOTS.
Scottie
After three hours of tossing and turning last night, I ended up in the little kitchenette with my notepad and paper, drawing rough sketches of the house and the way I envision it when we’re all done.
It wasn’t the best idea to skip sleep, but knowing I’m staying onhisproperty and that he agreed to date me for the show, there was no way I was drifting off anytime soon.
It’s absurd, really.
People run into exes and one-night stands all the time.
But Tucker isn’t just anyone.
And most people aren’t in a position to pretend to date their one-night stands.
That night felt like it meant something, even though I knew better. He kissed me like he meant it. He memorized every inch of my body like he didn’t want to forget, then disappeared the next morning.
Now, the two times I’ve seen him, my stomach turned over so hard I could barely breathe. He looks the same as he did the day I met him. He’s got this charm I can’t fucking escape, no matter how hard I try. My body and my brain seem to be in aconstant battle when he’s around. One is begging to touch him again—let him in. While the other hates him for making me feel used that night.
No wonder the producers see chemistry.
There’s no way I’m going to be able to make this look real for the cameras, feeling this way about him.
I laugh out loud in the empty room. “Get it together, Scottie. It was a one-night stand.” I roll my eyes. “What the hell did you expect from a stranger?”
Now I’m talking to myself. Great.
Exhaling, I reach for my phone on the table to send Andrea a text about our decision to go ahead with her idea, only to pause when I see a flood of notifications waiting from my recent post revealing the news about the season and start of filming.
This is amazing news! I’m so proud of you!
Can’t wait for this next season now!
You are goals! I can’t wait to watch you Nail It!
The comments don’t stop. Hundreds of affirmations from strangers who think they know me, but truly only know the perfectly curated, bright-and-bold version I let the world see. The version that makes me feel like I’m enough despite what my mom always reminds me of.
It’s only then that my smile falls. If only everyone could see me now—hair sticking out in three different directions, mascara smudged, and an old baggy tee with the neck stretched so taut that it looks like a U-neck.
Oh, and shaky hands at the thought of pretending to datesomeone.
I shake off the negative thoughts and send the text to Andrea before I can go back on my decision, because I have to start getting ready to head out to be at the house on time. It’s day one of filming, and we’re doing all the before shots of the inside and outside of the home, plus a few short interviews needed for the first episode.
Once I’m showered and hair done in loose waves around myface, I rummage through the clothes I brought with me. I hold up a solid light green V-neck blouse and shake my head. My eyes widen when I look down, and I smile when I see I remembered to pack one of my favorite shirts.
It’s a vibrant button-down blouse that bursts with painterly shapes in hues of coral, violet, teal, and tangerine. Its colors come alive in the outdoor sun but remain bold indoors. Since we’re going to be walking around the broken down home, I settle on wearing a pair of light wash, high-waisted denim jeans that are loose enough to move freely. Finishing the look with a pair of all-white sneakers, I step back to assess myself in the mirror.
It’s nothing my mom would approve of, which means it’s perfect.
Squaring my shoulders, I give myself one last look. “Let’s do this.”
I need caffeine and sugar. So, with time to spare, I decide to detour to Batter Up, the bakery and Cozy Cup, the coffee shop next door to the bakery, which Nan had told me was a must.
