Page 20 of Playing With My Heart Strings

Come on, you idiot. Help me out here.

“Right, no, you’re right. I apologize. It’s very nice to meet you, Baylor.” He takes my hand and presses his lips to the top of it, sending a shockwave through me.

Get it together, Baylor. This isfake. You are not going to fall for his phony charm. Play the game.

My experience working in public relations and my education have prepared me for these things. Interviews are all just acting, after all, how hard is it going to be with this?

It’s just an act.

A performance.

No feelings involved, just a way for me to keep my job then advance my career.

I’ve spent the past couple hours in the house with the rest of the women waiting for our respective “speed dating” rounds with Dusty. Most of them seemed sincere, genuine. But I’ve been around women my entire life, and I know it’s only a matter of time until the claws come out and some of the “nice girl” facades start to fade.

“So, what brings you to the show?” he asks, causing my focus to snap back to the present.

“I’ve always loved music,” I reply, going through my rehearsed speech in my head. That was the truth. Music has always been my outlet, a way for me to release whatever I’m feeling. “The opportunity to have a musical career alongside someone I’ve fallen in love with is very appealing to me.”Lie.

I’m sure several other women had similar answers, so I’m just hoping that Dusty doesn’t see right through the act.

Neither of us say a word, the pause hanging in the air between us. I’m hyperaware of the cameras as Dusty flicks his eyes to the side where the producers are gesturing for him to continue, to do something.

He clears his throat. “Music definitely has that effect. When I was growing up, there was no better stress relief than turning my music up as loud as possible, lying on the floor, and just letting myselffeel.” He pauses, like the confession feels a bit too vulnerable, too deep for reality TV, but then throws in what Iassume is a quick joke. “Definitely also helps when your music gets you millions of fans.”

I give him a quizzical look, trying to figure him out, but snap out of it quickly. “Yeah, it must be nice having a passion that people see value in. Anyway, I’mveryexcited to be here, meeting you in person.”

“Oh, yeah? You seem absolutelythrilledto be here.” His lips quirk up in a cocky smirk as though a girl like me being excited to meet him strokes his ego.

I playfully roll my eyes. “What gave it away? Wait, don’t tell me, was it myundeniable charm?” Sarcasm drips from the latter part of my comment, but it doesn’t seem to phase him. Instead, when a strand of hair falls in front of my eyes, he simply tucks the traitorous lock behind my ear.

My gaze darts to his hand brushing my cheek as he pulls it back. Even with the absence of his touch, it’s as though flames lick at my skin, and I hope to God my face isn’t showing how flustered I am.

“Something like that.” A small glint of amusement shines in his expression as he studies my face.

“Well, I’m glad you think it’s endearing.” I smile, forgetting about the cameras for a moment. But one glance over my shoulder is all it takes to bring me back to reality.

dusty

Baylor smiles, continuing to joke with me, but I can’t control the muscles in my face as they contort into confusion. Before she can ask me what’s wrong, I quickly fix my expression and blurt, “Idon’t remember seeing your name or hearing your voice during the auditions.”

“Yeah, that’s because I didn’t audition.” She breaks eye contact with me for a moment. “I was the lucky girl chosen by America to be on the show.”

“America’s Sweetheart, are you?” I tease, willing her to look back up at me. “Well, I can’t blame them. From first impressions alone, I’d say America has pretty good taste.”

“T-thanks.” Her brows pull together, and for a moment, I wonder if I’ve said something wrong. But I’m not given an opportunity to find out, because the producers cut us off, pulling her away. I’m not sure why, the signal that our time had come to an end hadn’t gone off yet, but I don’t fight them. If anything, it just deepens my level of intrigue.

“I’ll talk to you soon, Baylor,” I call after her, cementing the look she gives me over her shoulder in my mind.

“So, after meeting the ten women and finally putting faces to their voices, how are you feeling, my man?” Jarrod and I stand in the courtyard where filming first took place.

I think back to the conversations I had today, mainly with Katherine, Aspen, and Baylor, and the smile that pulls at my cheeks is a genuine one. “Optimistic, Jarrod. I think I’ve got a great group of women here, both in personalities and musical talent.”

“That’s amazing to hear. The fun isn’t over yet. In a few minutes, you’ll have the opportunity to choose one woman who really captured your attention today to go on a solo date with. You’ll spend a romantic day together to get to know each otherbetter. This date will hopefully help you determine if you see the potential in spending your career and life together.”

The pressure of his words weigh heavy on me as the reality of how big the decisions I will be making on this show are. This isn’t just my career at stake. It’s the rest of my life, or at least until this contract is over.

I try my best not to trip over my words. “Jarrod, I don’t think reality has set in until now. These are big decisions I’m making.”

---