Page 12 of Rule 2: Never Join a Christmas Dating Show
“Do share, Ella,” I say, hoping she’s not bluffing. Because I certainly don’t want to tell Clark that we’ve lost a second Mr. Right.
“You can film all of the reactions scenes after the games,” Ella says.
“So, I’ll only be required to attend the dates,” he says.
Ella nods. “A lot of the show will be the women talking about you. We’ll put you on group dates, so your time goes further.”
“Oh.” Luke blinks.
“That’s a wonderful solution, isn’t it?” Nate asks in the same voice he probably talks to his single-digit children in.
“I, um, guess.” Luke scrunches his lips together.
His demeanor says this is anything but fine.
“This will cut back on a lot of your time,” Ella says authoritatively.
Luke scratches his head. “Maybe. But I don’t know if I want to handle a whole crew.”
“The team travels all over the place for away games,” Oskar explains.
“Sebastian can work with you,” Ella says.
“You want me to travel on away games with Luke?” I ask.
“I mean, I assume you want me to be with the women,” Ella says.
“We can include you on the team transportation,” Daniela says quickly.
“Yes,” Oskar says. “That will be no problem at all. There are always seats left over.”
I close my eyes.
This is bad, bad, bad.
“Do you know how to film?” Luke asks.
I stiffen. “Of course I know how to film.”
“Okay. Sorry. I-I didn’t mean to imply you didn’t. I-I thought you were more of a host.”
“I know how cameras work,” I say.
I’m good at my job. I wouldn’t have risen as high as I did without knowing how every person did their job. It makes me good at talking with the crew. Good at giving direction.
I turn to Oskar. “Coordinate the schedule with Ella. I’ll go to all the away games.”
“Maybe we can give you a single too,” Oskar tells Luke.
Luke’s lips swerve into a smile that wobbles as much as my soul.
This is a terrible, awful idea.
“This was an absolute pleasure,” I lie, and everyone murmurs back the same lie to me.
“Great meeting,” Ella whispers as we leave. “Everything’s working out perfectly.”
I force a smile, thinking of cramped bus rides and hotel corridors and Luke’s eyes following me.
