Chapter Eleven #2
“This,” Skye said, flicking her hand half-heartedly.
If any of the contestants were watching, which they all were, it would look like an ordinary conversation between producer and bachelorette.
No one was suspicious. No one knew that Skye wasn’t even supposed to be there, that she actually belonged behind the cameras.
“What happens after this? When it’s over,” she muttered under her breath.
“Do I just fall back into the production team and pretend none of this even happened?”
Marla’s mouth tightened. “You knew what you signed up for when Deanna dropped out. We needed someone fast, someone who knew the show, and you were the best option. You said yes.”
“I signed up for it because you promised me a raise.”
“A raise you’ll get if you play the part,” Marla said, exhaling impatiently. “Now please just keep going. You’re doing great. We only need a few more weeks of this.”
Skye blew out a breath and gave a nod that was more like a slow bob of defeat. “Fine.”
Marla grinned and squeezed her wrist. “You’ve got this.”
“If you say so,” Skye muttered, stepping into her designated spot. She straightened her shoulders, tugged the hem of her dress down, and took one steadying breath.
“Thank you all for being here,” she said, glancing up at the contestants once she’d gotten the thumbs up from Marla, who had quickly slipped behind the monitor.
“You’ve all made the last two days unforgettable.
” She tried to inject some warmth into her voice but was sure her voice sounded cooler than dry ice.
“This isn’t easy. Trust me, I know that.
You’ve all opened up, and I don’t take that lightly.
But unfortunately, tonight I only have eleven leis to give out. ”
Skye reached for the first one.
“Amy,” she called.
Amy beamed and stepped forward. “Thank you,” she said as Skye slipped the lei over her head. “I feel so honored.”
Skye smiled and then got ready to give out the next lei. “Nova,” she called.
Nova gave a little spin as she approached and kissed Skye on the cheek before she could place the lei on her shoulders. “Never thought I’d be picked second.”
A few more names were called, and the leis began to dwindle.
“Alexis,” Skye called out and then watched as Alexis exhaled in visible relief before she walked over to accept her lei.
Soon enough, there were only two left. Skye felt queasy as her fingers closed around the final flowered strand.
She had to choose between two contestants, Lucy and Veronica.
The choice was simple. Easy. Not at all complicated.
Logically, Skye knew what made sense. She was well aware which of the two was the safer option.
Veronica had been nice enough, made small talk, and complimented her dress. Lucy clearly wasn’t safe. Lucy made her stomach drop, her palms sweat, and she made Skye feel like she couldn’t catch her breath.
Skye inhaled through her nose and connected her gaze with Lucy. The woman was already watching with a stony gaze that was unreadable.
She brought the lei forward and, with a burst of courage, she said, “Lucy.”
The name came out a little quieter than the others. But no one seemed to notice.
Skye forced herself to hold eye contact as Lucy stepped forward. Her face didn’t change, but her shoulders dipped in relief. Or disappointment. Skye couldn’t tell.
She placed the lei around Lucy’s neck, her fingers brushing for a split second. It was too quick to mean anything. And then she took half a step back and forced a smile, knowing the cameras would still be on her face.
“Thank you,” Lucy said quietly, her voice far more composed than Skye felt.
And then Lucy walked away, taking her seat with the others, leaving only Veronica standing.
The cameras stayed trained on her face. She blinked fast as her eyes filled with tears.
Skye hated this part. She didn’t know Veronica well, didn’t know if she’d made friends in the villa or if she was just hoping to stay long enough to get more screen time.
Still, getting rejected on national television couldn’t be easy.
“I’m sorry,” Skye said, stepping forward. “This isn’t a reflection of who you are. You’re great. Really.”
Veronica nodded, biting at her lip hard. She was clearly trying not to cry. “It’s okay. I had a feeling,” she said with a tight, unconvincing smile.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for,” Skye added.
Every season the bachelorette said the same thing, and every season Skye wondered why they said that, but now, saying it out loud, she understood.
She really did mean it. She really did want Veronica to find the right woman.
If that indeed was what she was looking for.
Veronica’s exit was filmed in silence. One of the PAs led her down the path, but her mic had already been turned off.
Skye knew it would only be turned on again once Veronica got back to the villa to pack her bag.
Skye would be asked to speak as well, but she couldn’t think about that now, not when eleven women remained.
Including the one she couldn’t stop thinking about.