“What do you think the others are doing?”
Dean’s bucket list would have something like sitting on a bench, brooding at happy people as they walk by. Or, or, or maybe it’s staying in bed doing nothing with a grumpy look on his face.
A girl would be in the same bed next to him.
Oh, well. That’s… he probably doesn’t have it on his list then.
If he does?
I swallow hard, taking a bigger sip of water.
Rhys takes a deep breath, “Nova, I have to confess something.”
Please let it be that he doesn’t like sushi.
“I’m the reason you’re onLove? Check!right now.” He doesn’t look away. In fact, he smiles like that’s supposed to make me feel great.
“No, Irene’s the reason I’m here.”
“Irene’s a friend of my sisters. She was adamant on me being a contestant and I told her the only way I’d be on it is if she could put you on the show.”
The guilt is building up quickly.
“But you didn’t know where I lived or anything.”
Rhys leans back, “That’s true. But I knew what you did for work, and I told Irene if she could recruit you, I’m in.”
I’m an incentive for someone else.
“Why?” I ask.
“I wanted to see you again.”
“You could’ve sent me a message on Headshot, it would’ve done the same thing.”
He looks confused. “Girls like this stuff, don’t they? When the man pulls something extravagant together for them?”
Not me. No. I hate this.
Being on the show for money is one thing but being on the show because a guy you met in passing a year ago can’t forget about you is another.
Rhys likes me.
“Rhys…” I’d prefer shoving my mouth with sushi than continuing this conversation. “That’s sweet of you, it is. But?—”
“Don’t answer yet,” he pleads. “We’re only a week in. I want us to get to know each other. I’m putting all my focus on you and no one else in the time that I’m here.”
“You don’t want to build other connections?” I ask. “There’s wonderful women here, Rhys.”
“Let’s see where the show takes us.” He offers an encouraging grin. “In two weeks, if you don’t feel anything towards me, we can be friends. Deal?”
I look at him. Really look at him.
His goatee.
The icy blue eyes.
The kindness beneath the contours of his face.
