Page 14 of You're The One
“It’s not my place,” he replies eventually.
“Fine.” I exhale. “How’s everything back home? I probably won’t be able to call again for a while, not until we’re in Chicago in a couple of weeks.”
“All good here. Unless you count the litter of puppies whose mission in life seems to be pissing on every rug we own. At least they’re cute, and they make Hannah happy. She’s already got homes lined up for three of them once they’re old enough to leave their mom. Now she’s trying to convince me to keep the runt. The little dude’s growing on me.”
“So, what you’re saying is you’re adopting another dog?”
If I know anything about Logan, it’s that he’ll do anything to put a smile on that woman’s face—he bought her a damn brownstone. One more dog is nothing.
“Probably,” he admits, like I knew he would.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Bodhi giving me the universal wrap-it-up signal.
“Lo, I’ve gotta go.”
“Fox—” There’s a pause. “If you let her stay… can you just keep an eye on her?”
“Yeah, man. I’ve got her.”
SIX
“Mia,”I say again, introducing myself for what feels like the hundredth time.
I should’ve considered how overwhelming it would be to meet twenty-three girls, and just as many crew members. But I didn’t.
I did, however, anticipate—revel in, really—Dominic’s dropped jaw when I showed up.
It’s not every day someone offers you an all-expenses-paid vacation. Okay, maybe not quite a vacation, considering it includes twenty-four-seven filming for a reality TV show… but still, a free trip, nonetheless.
I knew it was too good to be true.
Which was confirmed when Dominic hijacked—completely on brand—Ryan and Hannah’s housewarming party to announcehissummer plans.
The producers are clever, I’ll give them that. There’s no way they didn’t set this up. On the application I filled out months ago, when the bachelor was just some faceless, nameless idea, I wrote Dominic’s name on the line for someone who’snotmy type.
Besides being my stepbrother’s—well, brother as far as we’re concerned—best friend, he’s also the most infuriating man I’ve ever met. But apparently, I’m the only one who sees that.
What better way to create some top-notch television than by forcing us to get along… let alone fall in love? They’re going to be sorely disappointed.
Since backing out wasn’t an option, throwing a wrench in his perfectly laid plans has been the silver lining of what I knew would turn out to be a disaster.
It might even be worth the anxiety currently buzzing in my gut.
By the time I plop down on the couch to greet the final group, I’m sick of my own name.
“Summer.” The woman seated to my right rounds out the intros.
“Beautiful dress,” she offers with a warm smile. “I got stuck playing into the cowgirl shtick.”
It’s only then that I really take in her outfit. Long auburn hair spills out from beneath a cowboy hat, bedazzled with Dominic’s name across the front. A gingham button-down is tied beneath her chest, revealing her midriff. Short jean shorts and white cowboy boots complete the look. I’d like to say it’s the most unique “costume” I’ve seen so far, but another woman is literally Buzz Lightyear.
My windbreaker pickup line is starting to feel a lot less embarrassing.
“Are you?” I ask.
“Huh?” She blinks at me.
“A cowgirl.”
