Chapter XXX #2
Fiona stepped through the arch like she owned the forest. Confident. Composed. Wearing a sensible khaki dress that somehow made her look like she could excavate an entire ruin before lunch. Her long ebony hair was pulled into a neat bun, not a strand out of place.
She didn’t give off doormat vibes.
Not even close.
The only vibe I got was: You messed this one up, Demi. My goddess side chimed in, smug as ever. Ding, ding, ding.
Ugh. Okay, I got it—I was evil. Maybe I needed to be destroyed. Or at least mildly smote. To be fair, there have been a lot of intern scandals that should have been prevented.
Fiona zeroed in on Diego. In my head, I could hear the dramatic music that I was sure they would add in postproduction.
“We have some unfinished business, and I’m here to settle it.”
No doubt Jazzy was somewhere in the forest, thanking the stars above that finally there was some drama this season. She’d probably scripted that line for Fiona. But she hadn’t seen anything yet. I was about to become her favorite person again.
Fiona stepped to the side, and the entire clearing held its breath, waiting for the next ex to appear.
Roman, of course, had to have his say first.
“Sounds like Fiona’s ready to dig up the past,” he said, voice smooth and composed. Maybe he’d practiced that in the mirror. Maybe someday I’d find out.
“Diego, are you?” he added.
All eyes turned to Diego. His ears turned a bright shade of red as he slowly nodded.
This was all getting so ridiculous.
But if I thought that was ridiculous, it had nothing on the twin bombshells who strutted through the arch like it was a Paris runway.
Sequins were everywhere, so blinding I was pretty sure the mist recoiled.
Both women were as platinum-blonde as Cassie, and I had no doubt they were Carter’s exes. The man clearly had a type.
But seriously—twins? He’d dated sisters? My opinion of him was sinking faster than a cursed ship.
“Next up,” Roman said, voice steady but edged with quiet judgment, “we have not one but two familiar faces. Sisters, Gemma and Gia. Both dated Carter. Let’s see how that plays out.”
Roman was judging him, just like I was. And for that, I liked him more.
Gemma and Gia, in perfect sync like naughty Doublemint Twins, cooed in matching baby voices: “We’re not here to play nice. We’re here to stir up trouble.”
“Oh, these two have to go,” Cassie hissed beside me, clearly regretting every second she’d ever spent with Carter. She was already planning to hex the twins. And maybe Carter . . . into oblivion.
If I knew Cassie, those women would be gone by tomorrow—struck with some unexplainable rash and a creeping sense of dread.
Carter cleared his throat from the bench in front of us. What a pig. If I was the reason things hadn’t worked out between him and the sisters, I’d gladly own that one.
Maybe my guidebook wasn’t all bad.
Roman cast me a brief, furtive glance.
I could feel it—him silently begging me not to judge him for the circus this season had become.
It was strange. Just weeks ago, he couldn’t have cared less about what I thought. Now, my opinion seemed to matter. A lot.
I tried not to make it obvious that I was smiling at him.
A smile that said: I’m totally judging you.
But also: I still like you very much.
Probably not smart with cameras everywhere and half the internet convinced we were the hottest romance of the season. But I couldn’t help it. He was, after all, my other half.
Roman seemed at a loss for words when it came to Carter. But the way he shook his head said what we were all thinking.
And then—an unexpected twist.
A demure, beautiful Black woman stepped through the arch, her presence quiet but commanding. She had a whole Kerry Washington look going for her—elegant, composed, devastatingly beautiful. She was nothing like Carter’s supposed type.
Before Roman could speak, she whispered, “Hi, Carter.”
Two tiny words. But they carried heartbreak. She loved him. I felt it instantly. And suddenly I knew that Carter loved her too but didn’t think he was good enough for her.
I didn’t know this woman. But I would second that motion—even though I knew, with everything I was, that they were a match.
Yikes.
Love is complicated sometimes.
“Hi, Laila,” Carter said, low and deep. Repentant. Even reverent.
Cassie rolled her eyes beside me.
The twins curled their lips and cast Laila dirty glances. But they were already looking paler. Apparently Cassie had cast her hex the moment they opened their mouths.
Roman stepped in gently. “Why are you here, Laila?”
She stared at Carter, eyes steady. “Honestly? I don’t know. I swore I’d never give Carter another chance. But love makes you do dumb things. Like reality TV shows.”
Amen, sister.
Roman didn’t flinch at the jab. “I hope for your sake you don’t regret your choice to come on Love Unscripted. More importantly, I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“Me too,” she said quietly before slipping away to stand beside Fiona—putting as much distance as possible between herself and Gemma and Gia, who were now shooting daggers at her with their brown eyes.
Next up was Olivia.
She didn’t even make it through the arch before Todd jumped up like he’d been shot out of a cannon and shouted, “I love you!”
We all snickered. The guy had zero shame.
But honestly, I respected it. Well—except for the part where he missed her toenail clippings. That was still weird. But other than that, I admired how vocal he was. As women, we all wanted a man willing to shout from the rooftops how in love he was with us.
No games.
No pride.
Just pure, unfiltered devotion.
Olivia, all of five feet tall and cute as could be in a pink A-line dress, stepped through the arch like she wasn’t sure if she was walking into a love story or a trap. Her sandy-brown pixie cut framed her face perfectly, but she bit her lip—uncertain. Not of the cameras. Of Todd.
My insides stirred as if my two sides were finally acting as one. She loved him, but she had reservations. Huh. I’d have to figure that out later.
“Dude, sit down,” Jax muttered, tugging on Todd’s shirt. “You’re scaring the woman.”
FYI—there had been some developments between Paloma and Jax. I’d done a little digging into Paloma’s captain. It wasn’t good. And then it had struck me—clear as day. Paloma didn’t belong with her captain. She belonged with Jax.
“Welcome to Love Unscripted,” Roman said, his voice softer now, clearly trying to put Olivia at ease. “I think someone’s excited to see you. Do you have anything to say to Todd?”
Olivia clasped her hands in front of her pink dress, which was swaying slightly. “Please . . . don’t ruin this.”
Oh, Titans.
“I won’t!” Todd shouted back, loud and earnest.
I was going to have to talk to Todd. Maybe suggest he burn a few of the letters he’d written her. They might scare her.
“Interesting developments tonight,” Roman said as Olivia exited the spotlight with a smile and a sigh of relief.
That left Brinley and Jessica’s exes. Well . . . and mine. Who Roman was clearly saving for last.
Jessica’s ex, Asher, was going to be disappointed. Blaine and Jessica were a match—no question. If I had to bet, they’d be opening a flower shop together while Jessica finished law school.
As for Brinley, the jury was still out. Until Liam waltzed through the arch. He was as beautiful as Brinley. Tousled dark hair, a jawline that could rival Roman’s.
I could already see their Instagram grid—sunsets, smoothies, matching swimsuits. The perfect influencer couple.
Though, truthfully? No man there was as attractive as our host. Not even Jonas, with the sexy British thing he had going for him. That accent alone could make women swoon. Add in the broody, mysterious personality and curls to die for, and he was lethal to almost any woman’s heart.
Except mine, of course.
But, boy, did he try. And for that—I’d always care for him.
“Oh my gosh, Liam,” Brinley said breathlessly, grabbing Jessica’s hand like she needed help staying upright.
“Hey, babe.” Liam ran a hand through his hair, all tousled charm. “I messed up.”
Brinley burst into tears and ran straight into his arms.
And I felt it—a tiny shred of peace. One mistake fixed. Who knew how many more to go?
Roman said nothing. Just stood back and grinned. I got the feeling he loved this part. That he loved love.
I used to too.
Asher’s appearance was just plain awkward. Jessica didn’t even flinch. She’d moved on—and Blaine grinned like he’d won the lottery.
And that left . . . Jonas.
My moment had come. The moment I said goodbye to my pride and laid it all on the line.
Cassie leaned in, her voice barely a whisper. “You sure about this?”
I nodded, heart pounding. I’d never been surer. Or more terrified. And that was saying something for a girl who’d performed on the world stage in front of judges who could crush you with a glance. What I wouldn’t have given for some uneven bars right now. Or a balance beam.
“Godspeed,” Cassie giggled, squeezing my hand.
Roman stood taller, adjusting his suit coat like he was bracing for impact. Did he think he had something to prove? If only he’d open his eyes—or maybe his heart—and see what was right in front of him.
Me.
“We have one last ex tonight,” Roman said halfheartedly, like even he wasn’t ready.
Jonas didn’t wait for his cue. He strutted out in tight jeans and a form-fitting T-shirt, curls deliberately unruly, green eyes locked on me like I was the only thing that mattered.
His clothes said, I don’t give a damn. His walk said, I’m here to win.
And he didn’t even glance at Roman as he passed.
“Hello, love,” he crooned. “I’m here for you. And only you.”
I popped off my seat, fake tears already welling.
“I told you,” I cried, voice cracking just enough, “I never wanted to see you again. How dare you come here!”
Gasps rippled through the clearing.
I turned and ran, trying not to laugh.
Roman wanted drama. And if that wasn’t drama, I didn’t know what was. Seriously, I deserved an Oscar nod.
But I’d take true love as a prize instead.