Falling for You (7 page)

She hadn’t expected to see her ex-boyfriend and she had absolutely no idea what to say to the other girls. Should she tell them that Brad was actually her ex? Many sharp objects waited in the kitchen. Perhaps a confession about her and Brad’s previous relationship could wait.

Her eyes flickered to Evan. Nervousness crept up her throat at the thought of answering more questions about Brad in front of him. Thankfully, Spencer walked into the room and called the women back to where they’d originally started so she didn’t have to talk about Brad anymore — at least not yet.

“Great job, ladies,” Spencer said. “You should be very pleased with your meals. They smelled fantastic.” He rubbed his stomach like he was starving.

“Tonight Brad has a very difficult decision ahead of him. He’ll have to choose girls to make up the bottom three. Those women will be up for possible elimination this week. Back at the house, you’ll find out who he’s chosen for the bottom three. Then, America will get their chance to vote for their favorite girl. Sadly, the other two women will be sent home.”

Spencer looked sympathetically around the room. “All right, ladies, that’s all for now. We’ll see you again shortly.”

As Spencer walked away the girls whispered to each other. The murmurs continued as they wandered back through the hotel to the buses.

“Who do you think he’s going to choose?” Paige asked. “I hope it’s not me. Maybe I should’ve cooked something else. Guys like veggie burgers, right?”

“Sure, veggie burgers are great.”

So it wasn’t a giant cheeseburger after all. Paige’s meal must have been one of the “typical girl foods” Brad had criticized.

They followed the others on to the buses. She lowered her voice so only Paige could hear. “You’re so pretty and you’re the sweetest one here. You’ll be fine, don’t worry.”

Would Brad keep Paige? Cassidy had no idea what his type of woman was except that she wasn’t it. She hoped she hadn’t just lied to her only friend in the house.

“Thanks, Cassidy. I think you’ll be safe, too. What guy doesn’t like a girl who makes him pizza?”

“I’m not so sure Brad liked it, but it’s over now so I’m not going to worry about the challenge anymore.”

Or Brad.

Cassidy slid into the seat on the bus and peered out the window as they pulled away from the hotel. She tried to ignore Evan as he continued to stare at her through the camera from the seat in front of her. Instead she worried about what the rest of the night would bring.

She wasn’t sure what she wanted to happen tonight with the show. Part of her knew Brad might put her into the bottom three. Their relationship hadn’t worked out so well the first time, so why would he bother with her a second time? And honestly, the other girls would probably be upset when they learned they had a history together. Going home now would most likely save both of them from a giant headache.

However, if she did go home, she wouldn’t see Evan anymore. She stole a quick glance at him. She found something so intriguing about him. Maybe it was the way he seemed to film her with more interest than a cameraman should? Or maybe it was the way her heart seemed to pick up its pace whenever he was near, like a sonar warning of an object’s imminent approach.

• • •

Evan followed Cassidy into the house and toward the great room where production staff had set up an impromptu touch-up room. While the girls had their hair and makeup retouched, the camera crew had a few minutes to set down their cameras and relax.

Evan joined the rest of the crew — and Brad — in the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of water from the ice bucket on the counter and pulled up a chair at the large solid oak table.

The guys laughed about the contestants’ cooking skills. It seemed Cassidy wasn’t the only girl to make a mess of herself in the process of cooking her meal.

A picture of Cassidy covered in pizza sauce came to his mind. He’d wanted to wipe the sauce from her neck. With his tongue preferably. Unfortunately, he’d been trapped behind the camera.

“Who wants to help me make my decision tonight?” Brad asked, wearing a smug expression like a king choosing his consort. A sudden urge to wipe the smile off his face almost clouded Evan’s better judgment. Instead, he put on a very nonchalant smile.

“You haven’t made your big decision yet?” Evan asked in a teasing voice. “Is it really that hard to choose?”

“Dude. It’s totally harder than I expected.” Brad leaned back against the counter and rubbed his forehead dramatically. “How can I pick between all these babes?”

“Well, you must have a couple you liked less than the others. So pick those ones,” another cameramen said.

“I guess I didn’t really hit it off too well with Julia or Courtney.” Brad raked his fingertips across his forehead.

“That’s only two girls, Brad,” Jake said. “You need to pick one more for the vote.”

“Okay, I guess it’s between Lauren and Cassidy then,” Brad said. “Lauren seemed kinda ditzy. That’s cool for a one-nighter on the beach, but I’m not sure I want to date that. Cassidy and I’ve actually dated before and I’m not sure I want her again. Although, she does have a great rack.”

Evan’s blood pressure shot up a couple of notches. He couldn’t believe Cassidy would ever go out with this douche bag. What had she seen in him?

“I think you don’t like Cassidy as much because she didn’t drool all over you like the other girls did,” Evan said, shrugging. “Maybe she’s too smart for your tricks now. You might want to consider keeping the one girl who’s actually a challenge for you. You don’t want America to think you only like the easy girls, do you?”

“Dude. Harsh.” Brad gave him a hurt expression. “I didn’t say I didn’t like her. I’ve just sort of ‘been there, done that’ with her already. But she was a tiger in the bedroom. Maybe I want to ‘be there, do that again.’”

Not cool, douche bag.

“It’s your choice, but I know who I’d keep around.”
Cassidy, that’s who.
Evan tried to act casual, but inside, his mind raced. If she stayed, he’d have to watch her date loser Brad. But at least he’d still get to see her, learn more about her.

If America voted her out she’d have to go back home. Evan might never see her again.

Brad crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Why are you so interested in keeping Cassidy around? You enjoying her rack, too? Hey, do you guys zoom in on the goods? I would totally sneak a closer peek if I could.”

“I’m thinking about my paycheck, that’s all. I’m not checking out her rack.”

And he better stop checking out her rack, too, or I’m going to smack him upside the head with his surfboard. If he tries to touch her, I’m gonna break his fingers.

“I don’t know, dudes. I guess I’ll just wing it during the ceremony.” Brad walked out of the room, leaving Evan with a pit in his stomach.

• • •

The women stood facing Brad and Spencer. This was it. The ceremony where Brad would decide who he was putting in the bottom three for America’s vote.

Evan’s palms turned clammy as he waited for the news. He had no idea this process would bother him so much, but he felt almost as nervous as the women looked.

He focused his camera tighter on Cassidy’s face. He couldn’t gage her expression, but she seemed nervous and uncomfortable.

Is she hoping to go home or stay?

She shifted her weight and straightened her dress. Her eyes glanced toward his camera. If she made it through this week, he would have to tell her not to look at the camera so much. Throughout her dinner with Brad, Cassidy had glanced up at the camera — a big no-no in reality TV. Contestants were supposed to pretend the cameras didn’t exist, not talk to them and scold them.

If looks could kill, he’d definitely be dead after Cassidy caught him filming her bending over to get the bag of flour at the challenge. The scenery had definitely been pleasing, as was her reaction. He couldn’t help but smile at the memory of her embarrassment when she realized he stood behind her, filming her every move. He liked seeing her flustered. It was cute and sort of sweet.

“Welcome to the first bottom three ceremony, ladies,” Spencer started, pulling Evan out of his thoughts. “So what did you think about Brad?” He patted Brad on the back.

The women cheered.

“Excellent. We had a feeling you’d like him.” Spencer turned to Brad, addressing the next questions directly to him. “So, Brad, how did you enjoy meeting these beautiful women?”

“What’s not to like? These women are extremely beautiful. I loved getting a chance to have a little one-on-one time with them. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better.”

“I’m sure you are.” Spencer laughed again, although it sounded forced and unnatural.

Ugh. Can they make this any cheesier? Does America really fall for this fake crap?

“It’s time to get on with the ceremony.” Spencer said, a serious expression creasing his brow. “It’s time to hear who you’ve chosen to put in the bottom three.”

Brad put on a grave expression to match Spencer’s.

Oh, come on already.

“Dude, this decision is so hard.” Brad shook his head. “I hate to put any of them in a position to go home.”

I bet you have other positions you’d like to see these women in, don’t you?

“I know this can’t be easy for you, but in the end you can only date one woman,” Spencer said. “Now, who’s the first unlucky woman in the bottom three?”

“I’m really sorry, but it’s Julia.”

Julia’s face fell and she was ushered to the side, away from the other girls.

“Why Julia?” Spencer asked.

“I just didn’t feel like we connected as well as I did with some of the other girls. It’s nothing personal. She’s a beautiful girl.”

“Okay, who’s next?”

Tension floated in the air as the other women waited to hear their fate.

“I’m sorry to say that Courtney and I didn’t seem to have much in common so I’ve chosen her for the bottom three as well.”

“Courtney,” Spencer said with sympathy, “if you could please join Julia. Your final choice tonight?”

“Oh man, this is the worst.” Brad threw his head back dramatically.

“What’s going on? Talk to me.” Spencer stared at Brad with concern.

“It’s so hard to choose another girl. Two girls are bad enough, but to make me pick three feels impossible. I’ve been wrestling with this last choice in my head all night and I still don’t know.”

“Take another minute and look at these women across from you.” Spencer held his hands out toward the women. “Think back to your dinner with them and about how you felt spending time with each one. Then, trust your instincts.”

Evan held his breath as he watched Brad stare at the women. What he was thinking? Had he really not made a decision, or was he being overly dramatic for the viewing audience?

All of the girls looked nervous. Even cool Zoe looked as if she’d had better moments. She stood there rubbing the pendent on her necklace between her fingers, almost like it brought her some kind of comfort.

Brad seemed to stop at Cassidy.

Evan’s heartbeat stuttered.
Move on, dude. Don’t do it.

“Okay, I think I’m ready.” Brad kept his eyes on Cassidy as he spoke.

“Go ahead.”

Evan’s heart sank.
Oh no.

“I have to send … Lauren to the bottom three,” Brad said, finally shifting his gaze from Cassidy to Lauren. “I’m really sorry.”

Evan exhaled, relief washing over him. He focused his camera on Cassidy’s face only to find her staring at him. Was it his imagination, or did it seem like she suddenly had a weight lifted off her shoulders?

Cassidy smiled at him — different than the other times she’d smiled into the camera. This time, it seemed like she gazed past the camera to him personally, almost as if she were trying to send him a message.

Evan couldn’t help but smile back. Message received — she’s happy to stay.

“Okay, Lauren, please join Julia and Courtney.” Spencer motioned for the three girls to move in closer. “I’m sorry, ladies, but you’ve been chosen for the bottom three. Only one of you will continue on with the hopes of being chosen as The One.”

Spencer turned away from the women to speak directly into a camera near the edge of the gathering. “America, now it’s your turn to have your say. That’s right. You get to vote for who you’d like to stay. Dial the number you see on your screen. Press one for Julia. Press two for Courtney. Press three for Lauren. You can also log onto our website to cast your vote or text your vote to the number you see now. The lucky lady with the most votes will continue on this journey to find out if she is … The One.”

Spencer paused, smiling into the camera for what seemed like an abnormally long pause. “How was that?” he asked Chip who was standing beside the camera. “Are we good for tonight?”

Chip nodded and gave a thumbs-up sign. “Can you take Brad back to makeup for a touch-up before we film his challenge and ceremony recap segment?”

“Sure thing. This way, Brad.” Spencer led him back to the makeup area.

Chip turned to the women. “Ladies, if I can have your attention.” He waited for them to quiet down again. “We’ve learned some interesting news today and we think it’s important to fill you in.

“Today, at the first challenge, it came to light that our bachelor Brad and our contestant Cassidy were previously in a relationship together.”

Chip held up his hands to calm the women. “Now, I know you’re thinking this puts you at a disadvantage because they have a history together. However after much consideration, we think it won’t affect the competition and we’re allowing Cassidy to continue as a contestant. Brad still has to decide if he likes her and wants her to stay as much as he has to with anyone else. Before anyone asks — no, they are not still an item, right, Cassidy?”

“No,” she replied softly, uncomfortable talking about her former relationship with Brad. “We broke up six months ago.”

Cassidy chanced a peek at Evan. The expression he’d worn during the dinner challenge had returned and seeing it again made her feel sick. And knowing she was the one who caused that expression — that her relationship with Brad had caused it — made her feel even worse. She didn’t want Evan looking at her like that. There were plenty of ways he’d looked at her already that were great … desire, amusement, even concern. This — whatever this expression was — wasn’t one of them.