Page 75 of You're The One
My fingers curl around his before I can second-guess it. And I hate how much I don’t want to let go.
He starts to lead me away, but Bodhi stops him, arm out like a barrier. “Sorry, no can do, my man. We’ve gotta get you ready for the ceremony.”
“You’re kidding me,” Dom grumbles.
“Afraid not.”
Bodhi slides into the space between us, and Dom has no choice but to let go of my hand. He glances over his shoulder, his gaze catching mine. “I’m sorry.”
And if I thought my stomach was doing weird things before, that one line lands like a punch. I don’t know if he’s apologizing for not getting time with me or for kissing Victoria.
Not that he owes me an apology for either. At least, that’s what I tell myself.
At the rose ceremony, he calls my name first. For the first time since that initial poisonous flower, he gives me another Hellebore—this one with its stem sealed in plastic. And this time, I don’t crush it beneath the sole of my heel.
Though part of me wants to. But the part clinging to hope wins out.
River gets sent home, and Victoria gets the last rose.
Just like that, the curse is broken.
And maybe so is my grip on pretending I don’t care.
TWENTY-SIX
Dominic takesthe seat next to mine as we wait for the plane to board the next morning.
“Where are you staying in Chicago?” he asks, eyes fixed straight ahead. “At the hotel with the other women, or at Ryan’s?”
The production team has tuned out behind oversized sunglasses and noise-canceling headphones, while the women sit in a group on the opposite side of the boarding area, chatting. But Dominic still speaks like he’s trying not to draw attention to our conversation.
“Ryan’s,” I answer, keeping my tone just as neutral. “At least, I hope so. Still waiting on the okay from Bodhi.”
“That’s good. We can keep our morning routine. Think production’s caught on to our walks?”
He flips open the book in his lap, pretending to read.
“I imagine if they had, they would’ve said something.” I dig through my bag for a Chapstick.
“No one’s said anything to me. What about Bodhi? You lookedcozylast night,” he mutters.
I glance sideways, sensing his attention shift toward me.
Is he serious? He’s going to give me grief for talking to Bodhi whenhe’sdatingthreeother women? Does he even considerusto be dating? The thought pops up, one of many that have been spinning since last night.
After the ceremony, I threw on my headphones and let myself sulk toBuffalo Traffic Jam.You know those singers who bleed all over their lyrics? Yeah, Frankie’s pain makes you heartbroken just from listening. Mix in a little of my own self-inflicted angst, and I was in a full-on mood.
I gave myself twenty minutes to wallow. Then I slapped on my big girl pants. I’m not going to let a tiny crush derail the whole point of being here. Our new friendship is… nice. But my goals haven’t changed: help Dominic find a wife, and escape my real life for just a little longer.
That hasn’t changed.It hasn’t.
“He didn’t say anything,” I finally reply.
“You two are always chatting,” Dominic spits, like it leaves a bad taste in his mouth, flipping through his book faster than anyone could possibly read.
“And that’s a problem? We’re friends.” I swipe gloss across my lips.
“Likewe’refriends?” It’s more challenge than question.
