Page 110 of You're The One
True to his word, as soon as the steady drone of the plane starts to lull me into something like relaxation, and I pop in my earbuds, Bodhi nudges my arm.
“Yes…” I sigh, pulling one bud out.
“We need to align here.” He pulls out a beat-up notebook and flips it open. “We’ve got two weeks left before it hits the editing room. If you want to keep control of your story arc, now’s the time to strategize.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not following.”
“I’m asking you to be smart about this.” He taps the page. “If you’re falling for Mia—which, spoiler alert, literally everyone cansee—then we need to land on a runner-up. I know you wanted to send Emma home last night, but she’s your only viable second option. It adds tension and makes your final choice less obvious. Keeps people guessing. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but production isn’t going to let you send her home.”
“Jesus.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.
Emma’s not a viable option. That’s the whole problem. She’s the only one who still seems to think this could turn into something, which is exactly why I wanted to send her home.
“You’re lucky I’m still here.” I let more bite into my tone than I mean to.
“I’ve apologized. Multiple times. Even if we didn’t know your relationship was strained, we should’ve checked in with you. We screwed up. I’m sorry. Can we move on? You haven’t made my job easy, either.”
I arch a brow. “Didn’t realize that was my responsibility.”
“It’s not. But usually the bachelor is more amenable to the processhesigned up for.” He turns as much as the seats allow. “I gather you’re going to see this through to the end, even though you’ve checked out on everyone but one…”
He’s fishing for more, but I’ve got nothing to give him. I haven’t fully made sense of it myself.
I know if I asked Mia right now to ride off into the sunset with me, there’s a good chance she’d run—in the opposite direction. Maybe that’s the show. Maybe it’s not. Either way, I’m not risking it.
I need more time.
To show her I’m serious.
To figure out if she even wantsserious. With me.
She’s agreed totry, and that’s something.
Sure, I’ve got a shark for a lawyer who could probably get me out of the contract, but I won’t do it unless I know Mia would walk out with me.
I must take too long to reply, because Bodhi’s already shaking his head. “Whatever. But you do realize you’re going to have to go out with the other women, right?”
I’m not worried about Summer. It’s been clear for a while that she’s more interested in building a friendship with Mia than anything with me.
But Emma? She’s a different story. I’m going to have to talk to her and hope she understands. I’m pretty sure she will.
Bodhi keeps going as if we’re already in agreement. “So, how do we make that happen? More importantly, how do we make itbelievable?”
I lean back, thinking. Then it hits me. “What about a compromise?”
He huffs, but decides to hear me out. “What are you thinking?”
“I want off-camera time with Mia.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “Is this about getting your dick?—”
“Donotfinish that sentence,” I grit out.
“Fine. Fine. If you keep it quiet, work around the schedule, and don’t make it obvious, I won’t ask questions.”
“In return, I’ll play the part. Within reason.”
He groans. “C’mon, man. I’m trying to work with you here.”
