“We work in reality TV. We’ve chosen to put ourselves out there for the public. This goes with the territory.”
She dropped her hands and glared at him, hurt anger powering her words. “One of us chose to show their life on TV and lie about it. I don’t flaunt my private life, and I don’t work on a show that focuses on it. I’m a dancer. That’s what I let people see. You knew they had footage of us, and you chose not to tell me.”
“And what would have happened if I had told you?” Stone folded his arms across his chest and leaned a hip against the counter. “Huh? Would you have stormed into Donna’s office and demanded she cut the footage?”
Gina sucked her teeth. “Yes.”
“And then what? Do you think she would have said, ‘Yes, Gina, you’re absolutely right, I won’t air it’?”
“Gotta say, this sarcastic side of you is not very attractive.”
Stone ignored her nasty comment and kept going. “Let me tell you what would have happened. Donna would have steamrolled you, because she’s the producer and you’re just a dancer. She would have flat-out refused to pull the footage, and Jordy wouldn’t have been able to help you this time. You would have spent the entire week stressed out about it, and it would have affected our rehearsal, your peace of mind, and our dances.”
It sounded reasonable. But Gina didn’t want to be reasonable right now. She wanted to be mad and she wanted to argue, because everything felt out of control and there was nothing she could do about it. “You still should have told me.”
Even to her ears, it sounded stubborn and childish. But it was the only defense she had against throwing the whole disagreement aside and begging him not to go back to Alaska.
She’d never do it. Just as she wouldn’t let anyone get in the way of her dreams, she also wouldn’t interfere with his. And he’d beenperfectly clear from the beginning that when this was all over, he was going home.
She should have listened.
Stone threw up his hands. “You’re right. I should have. I’m sorry I didn’t. Next time I’ll tell you so you can feel anxious and powerless all week.”
She glared daggers at him. “I would have gotten my agent involved.”
“And Donna would have pointed out that real footage of us kissing doesn’t count as a fake showmance. You’re not going to win against her.”
“You didn’t even give me the opportunity to try!” she shot back. “And the fact that you don’t understand why I’m upset makes it even worse.”
“I do understand. And I’m sorry. Maybe you should try to understand whyI’mupset.”
“You don’t have anything to be upset about.”
“That’s it, then.” His lips flattened into a line. “Your feelings are the only ones that matter here.” He took a step back and held up his hands. “I get it. It’s not about me, and never was. Come back to the room when you’re done throwing a fit.”
She sucked in a breath, but Stone was already walking away. Swallowing hard, Gina turned back to the sink. She wouldnotcry, she wouldnotcry, she would—
Lauren appeared in the doorway, making Gina jump.
“God, Lauren, you scared me.” She put a hand to her chest to calm her racing heart.
“Trouble in paradise?” Lauren asked with a nasty smirk.
Gina huffed out a breath and went to move past her. “I’m not talking about this with you.”
Lauren grabbed her arm, and Gina whirled on her with fire in her eyes. “Lauren, get your hands—”
“I know your boyfriend’s dirty little secret.”
The singsong whisper set Gina’s teeth on edge. “Let. Me. Go.”
“Oh, do you already know?” Lauren cocked her head and widened her eyes, blinking like a demented owl. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell… unless I think you’re going to win. Lucky for you, I think your little ‘true love’ gamble is going to backfire. You better hope I don’t change my mind.”
Gina clenched her jaw to cover the spark of fear. “I don’t have time for shit-talking. I have a rumba to choreograph.”
Lauren released her and Gina hurried out of the kitchen.
“See you at the finals, Gina,” Lauren called after her, followed by a cackling laugh.
