Chapter XIX #2
We all stood in front of Roman, holding hands like we’d known each other for years instead of three days.
Granted, I knew a lot of their innermost feelings.
And I’d basically ruined their lives. Well, at least their love lives.
Their heart-wrenching stories from the night before still felt like a punch to the gut.
Roman looked at every cast member but me.
“Well, I just got back from talking to the men, and they’re eager to meet you.”
“Woo-hoo!” Jessica shouted, already bouncing on her heels.
Roman offered her an appreciative smile, then turned serious.
“I think this is a good time to remind you all of the show’s rules.”
The air shifted, and everyone gave Roman their rapt attention—even the crew.
“This first meeting is my opportunity to observe you,” Roman continued. “So please make sure you take time to meet each man and speak to him. In the next few days, you’ll each go on a one-on-one date with every male cast member.”
He paced slowly, hands clasped behind his back as if it were part of his script. Maybe it was.
“Starting next week, I’ll assign pairings based on what I see, what you share in your weekly interviews, and yes—what the audience responds to. You can request to stay with someone or ask to quote-unquote ‘break up.’ I’ll consider those requests, but ultimately, I decide the matches.”
Brinley raised her hand as if we were in school. “What if we already know who we want?”
Roman smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Then make your case. But remember—this isn’t just about chemistry. It’s about hopefully making a lifelong love connection.”
Cassie muttered under her breath, “And ratings.”
Roman ignored her.
“In week three,” Roman continued, “we’ll introduce Temptation Week. If you haven’t found a promising connection, I may bring in someone from your past—a former flame, unresolved crush, or someone who still carries emotional weight for you. They might only be temporary, but prepare yourself . . .”
He paused, milking the moment.
“They might stay.”
My stomach twisted.
Not sure why.
I really only had one old flame, and Jonas would rather gouge his eyes out than appear on a show like this. Maybe what unsettled me was the quiet truth: if none of the six men here were my true love . . . that was it.
Because Jonas wasn’t. If he were, he’d have unlocked my heart a long time ago.
Right? He’d definitely been in love with me.
I still felt guilty that I had never told him the truth.
Told him that I couldn’t love him back. Just add him to the list of all the people I’d hurt.
That number was probably in the billions.
“At the end of six weeks,” Roman said, “I’ll ask each remaining couple one question: Is this a love match? If both say yes, you leave together. If either says no, the match dissolves.”
He paused, letting the weight of it settle. The hope emanating from Brinley, Maggie, Paloma, and Jessica was palpable. They all wished to leave here with their matches.
Cassie just yawned.
“Love doesn’t follow a script. Stay open. Stay honest. Remember—this is Love Unscripted,” Roman added, with just enough theatrical flair to catch the camera’s full attention.
Then he spared me a glance. At first, I thought it was a dig. A reminder that love doesn’t have rules. But then I saw it—concern. Maybe even worry. He knew something.
What?
I had a feeling his next and final words were a clue.
“And ‘unscripted’ means there are no guarantees,” he said, voice less practiced now. “There never is when it comes to love. I will do my best to architect a love story for you, but sometimes your love story is meant to play out in another place and time.”
I swallowed hard. Those words were meant for me.
I felt it in my bones. Had his Cupid told him none of the men were a match for me?
Or did he just think I was a hopeless case because of what I’d done to my heart?
To all the mortal hearts. Did he think the quest was just my penance too?
Because there was no other place and time my love story could play out. This was it for me.
A sinking feeling hit me. This quest was dead on arrival.
But it didn’t matter. I’d scripted myself a role already—cheerleader and best friend.
And I had to play it out. Maybe I wouldn’t get my happy ending, but I could at least make sure the other women did before I forgot who I was.
It was the least I could do considering it was my fault they were all here.
Maybe it was time to rethink the rules . . . or at least give them the summer off.
“All right! Let’s go, ladies!” I threw my hands in the air like a cheerleader on steroids. Smiling so brightly it hurt. “Let’s go find love.”
“Yeehaw!” Jessica shouted before all the women threw their arms around me for a big group hug.
In the sea of them, I caught Roman’s eyes. Confusion and pity rolled off him.
I was confused too. Why would my father and great-grandfather send me here if it was hopeless? Maybe they just wanted me to right my wrongs.
And, boy, did I feel how wrong I was.