Page 25 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show
“Flora.”
Flora smiles and totters toward me. I place the crown on her head.
“Your name is perfect for it,” I say, and she giggles.
Sebastian’s face goes stony, and I slide my gaze toward him, unsure if I’ve done something wrong, as Flora moves back. The other women look more jealous, more disappointed, just like they’re supposed to.
I then give crowns to Katie, Dahlia, and Greta. They all work in healthcare, an industry which feels super complex. I barely made it through high school biology and chemistry, and I was not taking the AP versions.
“To those who haven’t received a crown tonight—while your journey with Luke comes to an end, you’ve brought warmth and joy to our Christmas season,” Sebastian says, his tenor voice a pleasant rumble. “Though saying goodbye is never easy, especially during the holidays, I hope you’ll carry these memories with you. Please take a moment to say your farewells.”
The women with crowns look at the women without with great sympathy. Comforting ensues, and even though I know I only had five crowns, guilt still rages through my chest.
Ella steps forward. “Congratulations to everyone who will remain with us. Please go to the adjoining room for your interviews.”
The women file out, the cameras follow them, and Sebastian and I are alone.
“Do you need me to be interviewed?” I ask.
It’s not in the schedule, but I’m not sure why not. Sebastian shakes his head. “That’s not necessary. You have an early practice tomorrow. I’m not supposed to keep you too long.”
“Oh.”
“I’ll be traveling with you to New Hampshire for your away game. I’ll interview you after we arrive.”
“Right.” I nod multiple times.
“Ella will have a better sense tomorrow of what stories she wants to tell,” Sebastian explains. “Your time is more useful there.”
“Okay.”
My heart squeezes, and I suddenly wonder what it will be like to travel with Sebastian. An odd excitement thrums through me.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Sebastian
The team bus gleams in the distance, the bright colors as cheerful and unassuming as poisonous jellyfish, and I step from my rental car.
I’m not nervous.
It’s just a bus.
Filled with jocks.
I swallow hard.
“You are the TV love expert.” An accented voice makes me jump, and I turn.
The last thing I need is a hockey player glaring at me, but a tall, muscular man with high cheekbones and dark hair blocks my path to the trunk of my car.
Well, it’s more like a smirk.
It’s definitely unpleasant, and my organs shake, as if he’s flung me into the air like a puck, but I’m not going to cower.
I am Sebastian Archer, TV Host Extraordinaire.
I paste on my LA smile, bright and sunny like the city. “I am.” My eyes narrow. “You’re Dmitri.”
