Page 5 of Enemies Off Camera
I stretch my neck from side to side.Soon. Very soon.I’m only minutes away from freedom. I’ve already made a vow: I willneverdo another reality show again. Ever.
“Everybody take your places!” the director calls.
Chaos buzzes around us.
I glance at Ashley—she looks nervous for the first time tonight.
Smiling, I wink at her and nod toward Jax, hoping to put her at ease.He’s yours, lady. He’s all yours.
Soon, it’s quiet on set.Actionhas been called.
“Welcome to the final pinning ceremony,” Dave Lyons says, stepping into frame.
Dave—our handsome host—is so much shorter than Jax that they’re never filmed standing next to each other without Dave standing on a platform.
He launches into his usual monologue aboutour journey to love. How “bumpy” the road has been forbothladies, which makes me grimace.Bumpy for Ashley? No. For me? Yes. What is he even talking about?
“But Ashley and Zara,” Dave continues, “have both captured our Knight in Shining Armor’s heart. And now, Jax, the time has come to pin the lady of your dreams.”
Dave nods dramatically—he really is a good host for this kind of gig—and turns to face us.
My heart patters like heavy rain.
Something’s not right. Jax isn’t smiling at Ashley. He’s looking straight atme. His gaze is long and deep, like he’s trying to telepathically tell me something.
What the hell is going on?
My head spins as he picks up the final golden pin.
“Zara.” He clears his throat. Then smiles.
It’s a fake smile—I know it too well. The same one he’s worn through every forced interaction we’ve ever had. The smile we practiced.
“Would you please…”
I shake my head instinctively.
No.No no no no no.
“Stop shaking your head!” Betty shouts in my earpiece.
Then Anna’s voice follows, even louder. “Smile! Don’t you drop the ball, Zara. Yourcareerdepends on it!”
“Huh?” I whisper, barely able to get the word out.
Because Jax has asked to pinme.
And the world is spinning.
Faster.
So fast?—
I lose my footing.
And the next thing I know, I’m falling.
Everything goes dark.
