Page 122 of You're The One
Before I can say anything—clarify, redirect,literally anything—she grabs my hand and starts walking.
“Where are we going?” I manage to ask, still stunned.
She leads me down a narrow hallway, past the wall of books, to an alcove that looks like one of those old-fashioned phone booths.
“You’ve been so patient?—”
“No, that’s not?—”
“And I really appreciate that?—”
“Emma,wait?—”
She slides her arms around my neck and presses against me.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” I jerk back so fast I nearly bust my ass, heel catching on the ledge behind me. I grab the wall to steady myself and put immediate space between us.
My heart’s racing, but not in a good way. Was she… was she really about to kiss me?
Shit.
She blinks at me, confusion flickering behind her eyes. “Wait… what’s wrong?”
I take a breath. “I didn’t mean for this to be confusing. I just needed a second to talk to you. Off-camera.”
Her arms wrap loosely around her middle. “Okay, I’m listening.”
I nod, searching for the right words. “Emma, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you. You’re smart, thoughtful, and you’ve been nothing but kind to me. But I think—” I exhale. “I know my heart’s with someone else.”
There’s a beat. Her smile falters, but doesn’t disappear. “Right. Well… It’s still early. You’re exploring connections.”
Why does that sound almost identical to what Mia said to me last night?
I shake my head. “I’m not. Not anymore.”
Her lips part, like she’s going to argue, but she stops. Tilts her head, a soft furrow forming between her brows. “So, this is it? You’re choosing her?”
I don’t say Mia’s name. I don’t have to. We both know.
“I’m sorry,” I say, and I mean it.
She nods. “Okay…”
But her eyes hold mine a second too long. Her smile stays in place, just a little too tight.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for, Dominic.”
“I hope you do, too.”
There’s another beat of silence before I say, “There’s something else…”
She waits.
“Production doesn’t want me to send you home. Not yet. They want you in the final two.” I rub the back of my neck. “I don’t want to keep you in the dark, or make it seem like I’m stringing you along. That’s why I wanted to tell you now. If you’re okay sticking it out?—”
“Of course.” Her voice is light, practiced. “I understand.”
That smile still hasn’t moved.
