Page 126 of You're The One
“For what?” I glance at the clock on the nightstand. We’ve still got an hour before our meeting with Bodhi, and that doesn’t exactly call for glam. It’s not being filmed. Just a logistics check-in for the last stretch of filming.
Eleven days. Not that I’m counting.
“Bodhi said you could come on my date with me.” She smiles brightly.
“He did? And… you’re okay with that?”
She gives me a look. “Mia, I’m still here because I’m your friend and Dominic knew you’d appreciate having me around. I think we’re kind of friends now, too.” She shrugs. “But I knew I was getting sent home this week.”
“How?”
“Bodhi gave me a heads-up. And Emma said Dominic told her she’s going to be in the final two.”
“Hewhat?”
My thoughts scatter, spinning too fast to catch. Why would he tell Emma that? Is he more certain about her than he is about me? I guess he told me I wasn’t going home either… but still.
Can you blame him?
No. Of course I can’t. I’ve been pushing him toward her since the beginning. That was before, though.
And since?
I’ve been nothing but a pain in the ass. He probably thinks I’m still justtrying. Oh, God.
And you’ve given him no reason to think otherwise.
Arguing with myself isn’t getting me anywhere, other than more convinced I’m screwing this all up.
“… So, does that sound good?” Summer’s voice cuts through.
“Wait, what?” I blink. “Sorry, can you rewind?”
She tilts her head. “To which part?”
“The plan. For today.”
“Oh.” She grins. “Two-on-one date. Then Dom’s going to send one of us home. Spoiler: it’s me. But this way’s more fun than a rose ceremony. Plus, I figured I could help you get more time together with him. We’re going on a waterfall hike. Doesn’t that sound romantic? Not the hiking part. The waterfall.”
“Yeah. Sounds great.”
She studies me. “You don’t look excited.”
“I am.” I smile, but it feels flat.
“You sure?”
I nod. Not sure at all.
Summer helps me pick out the “perfect” outfit: black biker shorts and one of the few colorful things I own—a peach racerback sports bra—layered under a thin, slightly translucent white cropped tee. I don’t have the mental capacity to care about outfit choices right now, but she seems pleased with the end result.
Somehow, she even manages to coax my hair into something resembling beach waves after a wash and an unreasonable amount of product. But I draw the line at makeup. I don’t want to deal with it melting off halfway through the hike, or that sticky feeling on my skin.
Before we leave, Bodhi gathers us to announce the suite lineups for next week. I’m not surprised when he says Emma’s first, and I’ll get my two days with Dom after that.
Still, a heavy knot settles in my stomach, and it doesn’t loosen on the drive to where we’re meeting Dom.
I know what I have to do.
