Page 79 of The Wrong Bachelor

Angus paused beside me as I reached my truck. “Remember, it’s going to be the last group date. It’s our last chance to really thrill the audience before they vote for the final time. Our viewer numbers are getting bigger and bigger, and we could raise a lot of money this week. We have to make it good.”

“So, no pressure,” I said.

“None at all,” Angus answered. “It’s going to be great, you’ll see.” He walked away with an excited spring in his step.

“Can’t wait,” I called after him. The truth was, Angus’ pep talk actually had me dreading the night.

* * *

Angus had chosena site in the national park that was about twenty minutes drive from town. My dad used to take me camping in a similar spot as a kid, but we hadn’t done it in years.

As soon as I heard the news of the location, I offered to give Madi a ride there. She insisted on going with Willow and Teagan though. It was probably a good idea since the two of us arriving together would have raised some eyebrows.

It was growing harder and harder not to show Madi affection in public. It was like a form of torture. We wanted to be together, but we couldn’t until after next weekend. It didn’t stop us from trading secret smiles though, and it certainly didn’t stop me from talking to her whenever I got the chance. Still, it wasn’t enough, and I couldn’t wait for the True Love contest to be over.

By the time I arrived at the campsite on Friday night, the film club guys had already set up all of the tents. I was a bit disappointed because pitching the tent was always half the fun. They hadn’t got the fire started though, so I set about gathering some wood. The evening air was already growing crisp, and we were definitely going to need the warmth.

When I got back to the campsite, the girls had all arrived. Willow, Teagan and Madi were all rugged up in sweaters with heavy jackets slung over their arms, while Laurie was wearing something that was probably more appropriate for a nightclub. Her tight jeans and sparkly top weren’t even slightly suitable for camping. It was barely dark and I could already see goosebumps on her exposed arms. I hoped she’d packed something warmer or she was going to freeze.

The film club trained their cameras on us almost immediately. Out here in the woods, the cameras felt so unnatural, and it was harder than ever to ignore them. It was like the film club had gone on safari and we were the high attraction animals.

I walked over and gave each of the girls a hug. My arms probably lingered a little too long on Madi. I doubt anyone noticed, but I was starting to care less and less about whether people found out. I hadn’t felt her in my arms since Monday night, and I’d forgotten how perfectly she fit within my grasp. I think she might have missed my hugs too because she seemed to struggle to pull away.

Skye called out to the girls, directing them over to the tent they were sharing. The girls started toward her, but Madi hovered at my side. After our hug, she didn’t seem ready to leave me yet. I didn’t want her to go either.

“You coming, Madi?” Teagan called over her shoulder, as the other girls walked toward the tent.

Madi hesitated but gave me a brief smile before jogging to catch up with Laurie, Willow and Teagan. I watched as she disappeared into the large tent behind the others. The four of them were bunking together while I had a smaller tent for myself. The film club was also camping with us, but they’d set their tents up a little further away so they wouldn’t be in shot.

While the girls were busy dropping off their bags, I started on the fire. It didn’t take me long to get it going. It seemed I still remembered all the survival 101 lessons my dad had given me back in the day. But, then again, Angus had provided plenty of matches and paper.

Madi was the first one out of the tent. She was dressed in leggings and a big puffy jacket swamped her upper body. It was probably big enough to fit me, and I suspected she’d borrowed it from her brother. She looked really cute in it.

“So this is camping, huh?” she said as she joined me by the fire. The warm glow of the fire lit her face and she rubbed her hands, putting them closer to the flames for warmth.

“Please don’t tell me you’ve never been before.”

“Does sleeping in a tent in Hayley’s backyard count?”

“No.”

“Then no, I’ve never been camping before,” she replied with a grin. “But I think I might like it. It’s so peaceful out here.”

The words had barely left her mouth when a squeal echoed from within the girls' tent.

“Get it off! Get it off!” Laurie’s voice reverberated through the trees.

“So much for peaceful,” Madi muttered, making me laugh.

Laurie came stumbling out of the tent, her hands raking through her hair and shaking her head like crazy. Willow followed after her, trying to stop herself from laughing.

“There was a bug,” Willow said, holding out her hands to try and calm Laurie. “It’s gone now.”

“That was no bug,” Laurie replied, pulling herself upright again. She’d completely messed up her hair, which had been perfectly straight just minutes before. “That was like something out of the Middle Ages.”

I spluttered out a laugh and shook my head. Did Laurie even know when the Middle Ages were?

“Are you trying to say it was like a dinosaur?” Willow asked. “Because that was a little before the Middle Ages…” Somehow, she spoke with a straight face.

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