Page 113 of Wild As Her

I twist to look at him. “How do you feel?”

He hesitates. “Relieved,” he finally says. “Antsy. Like I’ve been holding my breath and I’m finally allowed to exhale. All this pretending for a paycheck. Just waiting for the check to clear so I can help you start that B&B. Help you build what you really want. What we want.”

I brush my hand along his cheek. “You’ve already done more than enough, Jack.”

“Not yet,” he says, voice tight. “But I’m about to.”

And I believe him. Because this man doesn’t make promises he can’t keep.

And with every soft kiss, every quiet dinner, every damn brownie, he’s showing me exactly the kind of future he wants. And I want it, too. God, I want all of it.

Chapter 29

Jack

You Don’t Want That Smoke by Bailey Zimmerman

I’m sweating through my second flannel, Elena keeps teasing me about being like a soap opera lead, and the production assistant keeps asking me to repeat the word "saddle" like it holds dramatic weight in a fake southern accent. I’ve repeatedly told him that we’re in Wyoming and people don’t talk like that here.

"Say it again, Jack," he calls from behind the camera. "But this time like you’re holding back a secret."

I squint. "What kind of secret?"

"Like... a devastating one." Kyle says with dramatic effect.

I look dead into the camera and say, "Saddle."

Someone cackle laughs.

Jenna storms over, clapping her hands. "Okay, that’s enough improv, folks. Jack, Elena, with me. Now."

We follow her to the barn office, where she has two chairs set up across from her like this is a courtroom and we’re about tobe sentenced. I sit down. Elena looks mildly amused, like she’s expecting snacks and drama.

I have to say, out of all of the women, Elena is probably the best out of all of them. She doesn’t even seem like she’s trying that hard. It’s like she’s just here to have fun, and honestly she’s the only one I don’t want to run away from.

Jenna shuts the door. Then she pulls out two manila folders, sets them on the desk, and slides them across.

"What is this?" I ask.

"Your future. Your finale and fake happily-ever-after," she says, like she’s hosting a game show and also losing her mind. "You two are going to bethecouple at the end of the show."

I blink. "Excuse me? Isn't there supposed to be a vote or something?"

She taps the folders. "Non-disclosure agreements. Sign ‘em. You’ll fake a big romantic ending, ride off into the sunset, whatever the people want. We air it, ratings skyrocket, and you keep your actual love life under wraps."

I glance at Elena, expecting her to protest, but she flips open the folder and snags a pen. "You’re okay with this?"

She gives me a sheepish smile. "Yeah. I’ve been expecting this."

Jenna stands. "I’ll give you two a minute. But don’t take too long. You both signed contracts, and this is pretty much non-negotiable."

When the door shuts, I turn to Elena. "You knew?"

"Kind of. I mean, I assumed it's scripted and fake." She folds her hands on the desk. "Look, Jack. I know you don’t want this. I don’t either. But... I do have a favor to ask."

I stare at her. "A favor?"

"You’re gonna laugh," she says, sheepishly.

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