Page 23 of The Love Rematch
“Where’s the fun in that?”
He smirks as her sigh comes audibly through the comm. Thirty seconds later, he’s found his way to Chet, who is, surprise surprise, eating a plain beef patty while he flexes in the hall mirror.
What a fucking asshole.
This is going to be sweet.
“Chet, my man,” Jake says, putting on his best bro-voice. “How’s your night going?”
“Good.” He meets Jake’s eyes through the mirror, unable to turn from his own reflection, and prattles on for a solid minute before Jake finds an opening to intervene.
“I heard from Nina you’re one of Emily’s favorites so far.”
“Bro.” Chet pumps his chest. “Obviously.”
“But you could stand out even more, if you want to. You know, really make an impression.”
“I’m listening.”
“I’ve got some information, but obviously I can’t barge in and tell Emily myself. You, on the other hand…”
At that, Chet finally turns around to look Jake in the eye.
“What do you say?” Jake reels him in. “Want to help me get one of these assholes eliminated?”
Chet grins.
Gotcha.
About thirty seconds later, Chet disappears through the door and Jake presses the button on the side of his mic. “I want all cameras on Chet, right now. Fred, do you copy?”
“Copy.”
“Nina, is Cooper still near Emily?”
“Yes.”
“Trish?”
“Yes, Jake?”
“You’re about to get your promo.”
Jake retakes his spot in the doorway, no longer feigning a casual pose as he rests his shoulder on the frame and fights to keep the Cheshire cat grin off his face.
“Hey, Cooper,” Chet calls across the room.
The cowboy turns, red hair visible under the rim of his hat, crystal-green eyes curious. He’s in well-worn jeans, a white shirt, and a black jacket, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His skin is the sort of tan one only gets from working outside. And when he opens his mouth, Jake knows that Midwestern drawl will be the final nail in Chet’s coffin. The guy is so full of himself he doesn’t even realize he’s facing off against the living, breathing American version of that Scottish heartthrob fromOutlander. It’s no surprise whose side the female viewers will take.
Well, no surprise to Jake.
“Yes?” Cooper says with caution.
“I have a question for you.”
“Shoot.”
Emily looks over from her spot on the couch. Chet notices her watching and stands even prouder. Jake feels not even an ounce of guilt for what’s about to happen. Sure, he might have given Chet the shovel, but the asshole is going to bury himself.
