Page 67 of Playing With My Heart Strings

Someone is going homethis week, which means that at least until I know I’ve made it to the next week, my little fantasy world where Dusty and I can be together without any consequences is just that—a fantasy.

Daniella hasn’t found out any information about Aspen yet. Nothing she’s told me, anyway. But she also hasn’t come around a lot, either. Now that I’m thinking about it, every time Dusty has snuck into my hotel room has been when Alex is supposed to be monitoring him. He takes his job seriously, so I can only think of one reason—or rather, one person—that would be enough to distract him. We’ve never kept secrets from each other before, but it feels like she is now.

In the days leading up to the elimination, I’ve spent most of my time with the other girls at the house and writing in my journal.

I’ve had a burst of inspiration since joining the show, so I find myself writing down fragments of lyrics almost every night. They’re not anything I’m brave enough to share, but then again,Dusty shared a song he’d been working on with me. If there’s anyone I’d share the lyrics with, it would be him.

Footsteps approach from behind me, and I snap the book closed and tuck it under my legs.

“What are you up to?” Sage asks over my shoulder.

“Oh, nothing. Do you want to sit?” I pat the cushion next to me.

She plops down, the drink in her hand sloshing around, before letting out a big sigh. “Do you ever wonder what you’d be doing if you didn’t come on the show?”

I huff out a laugh. I knowexactlywhat I’d be doing if I didn’t come on the show, but it’s not like I can tell her. “Not really. Do you?” I redirect the question back to her.

“It’s not that my life back home isn’t interesting, but I’d probably just be going through the motions. Going to work, swiping on dating apps, going on bad dates with said matches.” She laughs. “God, I’ve been on some bad dates.”

My dating life before now was basically nonexistent, but I nod and say, “Same.”

Sage doesn’t seem to notice my short answers, because she jumps right back in. “I went on a first date once with a guy who showed me his tax returns on his phone. He kept droning on about how he made a million dollars in a year and just had to prove his income to me.”

“He did not!” I gasp, trying my best to hold in my laughter.

“I wish I was lying. Then when he took me back home, he asked if he could kiss me, and I said I was more comfortable with just a hug. But when we went to hug, he tried to kiss me anyway!” She takes a long gulp of her wine.

I scrunch my face, internally cringing with secondhand embarrassment for the guy. “Damn, that’s…rough.”

“Yep. His name was Jeremy. Which, in hindsight, was probably my first mistake. Claimed to be this tech guy who works on AI billboards.”

I snort. “Sounds fitting.”

She palms her forehead with the hand not holding the wineglass. “I’m just glad Dusty’s not like that.”

Normally, Dusty tells the producers who he wants to save and the bottom two or three contestants face the elimination. This time, we’ll be on stage where Dusty will announce face-to-face who he wants to continue next week.

The producers escort us down the hallway to the auditorium—the same hallway Dusty kissed me in a few weeks ago. Butterflies flutter in my stomach as I think about it, but they dissolve just as quickly when we walk on stage.

Spotlights flood the area, catching me off guard. I squint to avoid being blinded by them until my eyes adjust. Not sure I’ll ever get used to that.

Jarrod Stone walks out as the cameras start rolling. “Good evening, ladies, and congratulations on making it to the final five. Unfortunately, tonight, there is an elimination and one of you will be going home. Dusty?” He looks off to the side of the stage, and Dusty appears. His hair is a bit messy, like he’s run his fingers through the strands, and his eyes seem to sparkle in the light.

I tug my lip between my teeth as we make eye contact. I wonder if the camera is catching the look in his eyes. A look I want to believe is reserved for me and me alone.

“Hello, ladies. The past two weeks have been very eye-opening, and we’re getting down to the final weeks of thecompetition. While this was an extremely difficult decision to make, I believe it was the best one for my heart and for my career.” He surveys each of us. “The three women who I would like to continue next week are…”

One of the girls sucks in a breath next to me.

“Katherine.”

Katherine dips her chin and slowly smiles.

“Valerie.”

That leaves me, Aspen, and Sage.

Oh, God.

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