Page 50 of Playing With My Heart Strings

He leads me around the corner where a blanket is set up under a small pergola strung up with lights.

“Do you like it?” he asks, his voice a bit unsure.

“This is… You set this all up? For me?” I stare at him, a bit stunned at the gesture.

“I like you a lot, Baylor. You’ve taken up space in my mind, have occupied almost every waking thought, and I want to show you how glad I am that you’re here.”

My mind wanders to whether he’s also planning secret dates for the other girls, and my eyebrows pinch together as I fight my emotions. “Thank you. No one’s ever done something like this for me, so…thank you.”

“You mentioned lyrics last time we spent time together, so I wanted to show you what I’ve been working on. See if you have any thoughts?” He walks over to the blanket and grabs his guitar before sitting and patting the ground.

I follow and take a seat next to him, crossing my legs beneath me.

Dusty starts strumming a slow, soft chord progression. A love ballad. Then he begins singing.

I’ve fallen down, felt my heart slip through my hands. Not the type to write a song so easily.

I close my eyes to let the words wash over me.

I wish I could be where you are. That look in your eyes, the way you smile.

He starts the second verse, and I hum along with him. By the time the chorus begins, I’ve found a way to harmonize with his melody.

A few minutes later, he strums the last chord, letting it hang in the air between us.

“What did you think?” he whispers.

“It’s beautiful. Why don’t you take it to your label?” I ask, turning so I’m facing him and our knees graze.

He huffs out a laugh. “The label wouldn’t go for a song like that. It doesn’t fit my image.” His words come out harsh, biting.

“That’s too bad. It really is a great song. Maybe once this is all over, you can have a conversation with them,” I suggest, but he just shrugs.

“Maybe.” He pauses then quickly changes the subject. “Want to do a song together?”

The corner of my lip rises as my stomach flutters. “Sure.”

He starts strumming another song, a country duet from the nineties. We sing song after song together until we lose track of time. It’s only when thunder rolls in the distance and rain threatens to drench us that we pack up and head back inside for the night.

And it’s in those moments when I can really picture a future with Dusty Wilder.

18

dusty

Final Five

Only halfof the women remain after Jade’s elimination last night. The show is in full swing, and the final decision looms over me, even though it feels like we just started.

I was informed there wouldn’t be an elimination this week, but I was also told the girls didn’t know so I have to keep it a secret. Knowing I’ll get to spend an extra week with the five of them gives me some comfort, but it also means the next elimination is going to be even tougher.

I’m taking one of the ladies on a date today. As much as I want to take Baylor, especially after last night, I still need to get to know the other girls. They’re talented, and I want to help them as much as I can.

The only person I haven’t gotten to talk to about the Aspen-Baylor drama is Valerie, so my plan is to take her. I don’t want drama to cloud our entire date like it did with Sage’s—and Aspen’s, but that was different—so I’m going to try my best to get the conversation over with quickly so we can enjoy our day.

I also want to talk to Baylor, but I want to hear from everyone before that happens. I’m ready to move past whatever this is, even if it means that Aspen has to go home. I hope it doesn’t come down to that, of course, but right now, if I had the choice between Aspen or Baylor, I’d choose Baylor.

Instead of meeting Valerie at the date spot, I’m staying at the house until the girls arrive so we can all eat breakfast together. It’ll be a good opportunity to see the dynamic of the contestants together and maybe see where the root of the drama is coming from—that is, if any manifests.

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