“I’d be happy to look it over for you with Holland’s attorney,” Noah offers Mal.
“Sure. Okay, yeah. Thanks.”
“I think that’s everything.” Vivian rises from her seat. “We’ll see you both for filming in Florida on Friday. Prepare for a long night. Holland, you’ll have a stylist on our team. Mallory, like the other women, you’ll be in charge of your own makeup and wardrobe.Details are listed in your contract. And a friendly reminder…there is a significant penalty for spoiling any aspect of the show, punishable by a fine of up to five million dollars.”
“Are you kidding me?” Mallory gapes. “Five million dollars?”
Vivian nods. “This is the big leagues, honey. Our viewers want to watch Holland fall head over heels. Real love unfolding before their very eyes. That’s what the advertisers pay us to deliver. If that gets spoiled, it’ll cost us, so it’ll cost you…or whomever. All of those details will be spelled out in the fine print of your contract as well. I only mention it since you’ll have to be extra careful since we’re giving you access to your cell phone.”
Mallory gulps before nodding her understanding.
“Great.” Vivian claps her hands. “See you both soon.”
We all stand and shake hands, and the lawyers and Noah put their heads together, presumably to figure out details.
Mallory wanders out into the hallway, and I follow her. She’s reaching for her phone when she catches sight of me.
I grin at her. “You can’t resist spending time with me, can you? Had to crash my dating show?”
“Yeah, right,” she scoffs. “I’m in this for the money, and the money alone, Bradley, if that wasn’t completely clear in there.” Mallory fiddles with the corner of her cell phone.
She’s notoriously private when it comes to her personal life. I know she’s not dating anyone…both because she agreed to come on the show and because she spends literally all her time at the golf course, coaching me or fine tuning her skills. I don’t know much about her family, but her willingness to joinMost Eligible Misterhas me guessing there’s something serious going on—or serious enough that she’d practically sell her soul to make some extra cash.
“Is everything okay with your parents?”
Mallory’s gaze flies up to meet mine, and her eyes are saucers. I’m not sure if she’s shocked because I never pry her for personaldetails, or because, for once, the haughtiness is gone from my tone.
“It’ll be fine,” she says after a second. “Nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
I study her, and she doesn’t break eye contact. Sometimes I wish she would act human. Or recognizeI’mhuman. Give me a little credit for having a heart.
“Okay. But if there was something I could help with, or if you need time, or whatever, you could—“
“I’ve got it under control. It won’t affect our working relationship. And as for the show and our”—she twists her lips, searching for the right word—“arrangement, I’ve got access to my phone, so everything will be fine.”
“Excellent. Good. Great.”
“Good. Just so we’re on the same page. Now, is there even a golf course in Cashmere Cove that can handle having us there every day?” Mallory crosses her arms. “Training and keeping your focus is paramount.”
“So you’ve said,” I say dryly. “There’s an excellent course in the Cove. I know the golf pro there. Noah has been in touch with him, and he’s willing to work with me however is best.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that everything always falls into place so easily for the golden boy, Holland Bradley.”
“Is that a bad thing? You wanted a course. I’m handing you one on a silver platter—and a good one at that. What’s the issue?”
“Nothing.” Mallory shakes her head. “It’s hard for you to understand the ways of us mere mortals.”
“Where is this coming from?” I tip my chin up. I’m used to Mallory riding me pretty hard on the links. That’s what makes her a good coach. But this feels personal. She’s making some pretty big assumptions about me, which is annoying.
She pulls in a deep breath. “Never mind. It’s nothing. I’ve got a lot on my mind. I’m sorry.”
“An apology? Someone write it down.”
“Shut up, Bradley. Text me the name of the course and the golf pro’s contact info so I can coordinate with him.”
