Chapter 9 #2
Jada clipped the device onto her belt and turned to face us.
“Okay, ladies, we’re going to do the first-meet one at a time so we can film each interaction.
When I give the okay, you’ll head through these doors, around the potted palm tree to the right and then straight back to the circle of lights.
” She paused, scanning the group with practiced calm, as if she’d done this dozens of times before.
“We’ll have a cameraman walking with you along the way and two others with our bachelor.
Try not to look at the cameras. In fact, pretend you don’t even see them.
After you meet the bachelor, you’ll go to the confession booth where you’ll share your thoughts about him, how you’re feeling, etcetera.
Just thirty to forty seconds. No big deal.
When you’re done, head over to the bar area for food and drinks. ”
“It’s so exciting that they’re filming this,” Mia whispered to Sarah and me. “I had no idea.”
Yeah, real exciting, I thought dryly.
Sarah, on the other hand, looked like she was about to get sick.
“Had I known,” Mia said, “I’d have had my teeth whitened.”
“Had I known, I’d have told my family no,” Sarah said with a humorless laugh.
Jada held up her hands to quiet the group down.
“Ladies, we’re going to put you in a certain order to go in.
Lauren, you’re first. Next up is Mia.” Mia gave a little clap and took her place in line.
Jada continued naming off everyone from a list on her clipboard. “Sarah, you’re here, and then Daphne.”
I was last in line. Just like she promised. Hopefully, the werewolf wasn’t upset to learn I had no interest in dating him.
Ahead of us, Mia could hardly contain herself. She fidgeted and kept fussing with her hair and dress. When it was her turn to go, she burst through the doors, heels click-clacking on the tile floor, and a moment later, we could hear her squeal.
“Guess that’s a good thing?” I murmured to Sarah.
“Yeah, I hope so,” she replied.
The wait felt like forever. Every woman had to be talking to the bachelor for a long time. Were they confessing their deep, dark secrets and reciting the periodic table?
After a bit of small talk with Sarah about books—she was an avid romance reader like me—it was her turn to go.
She glanced over her shoulder, reminding me of a deer caught in the headlights.
It occurred to me that maybe she was a deer-shifter or some other prey animal.
If so, I could see how meeting a wolf-shifter would be a little daunting.
I gave her a hug. “You’re going to do great.”
“I…I hope so,” she said, hugging me back. “My family will kill me if I don’t.”
Okay, maybe not deer-shifters then. Her family sounded like actual monsters.
Now it was just me in the holding area alone.
I mentally walked through what was going to happen.
I would give the guy a curt smile and a business-like handshake that said I wasn’t the least bit interested.
No hugs. Definitely no hugs. I’d tell him it was nice to meet him, then I’d head for the confessional where they’d record my two cents. Easy peasy.
Hopefully, the whole thing would be over in time for me to attend the bonfire on the beach. According to a hand-lettered sandwich board in the hotel lobby, they hosted a big bonfire each night with hot chocolate and cocktails, a marimba band and fireworks.
Jada’s walkie talkie crackled. “Okay, I’ll send her in.” She turned to me. “You ready, Daphne?”
I nodded.
“Listen,” she said, that sheepish expression crossing her face again. “Since you’re not continuing past tonight, don’t be surprised if the bachelor doesn’t talk to you much during the cocktail party. He’ll be wanting to spend time with the other women to get to know them.”
“Totally cool with me,” I told her.
“Good.” She looked relieved. “After you meet him, head to the bar and hang out with the others. The bachelor will start pulling a few of the contestants aside for one-on-ones on the veranda. Then we’ll have the charm ceremony, and you’ll be done.”
“Perfect,” I said, giving her dual a-okay signs, grateful the ordeal was almost over.
She took my hands in hers and gave me an earnest look.
“You’ve been such a good sport, Daphne. I’ve got a tab at the hotel for you, so any resort activities you want to do while you’re here, all your food and drink, it’s on us.
My family owns a dude ranch up-island, so if that’s your sort of thing, let me know.
And if you need anything during your stay here, you have my number. ”
Then the double doors opened in front of me. I flashed a jittery smile at the cameraman before remembering that I was supposed to ignore him.
The Moonlight Lounge turned out to be quite romantic in a gothic sort of way.
The place was dimly lit with tiny lights bobbing and twinkling overhead.
Large, freestanding candelabras with dripping black candles stood amongst the marble columns and palms. Somewhere in the distance, a string quartet was playing a haunting rendition of a Coldplay song.
Were they dressed in monster costumes like the pair near the ferry dock?
It suddenly occurred to me that those guys on the street were probably the real deal.
It wasn’t until I turned at the first potted palm that I realized the lights above me weren’t twinkle lights at all, but actual little fairies flitting overhead.
Fairies! No bigger than the palm of my hand with butterfly-like gossamer wings.
Some of them blinked with clear light in time to the music, while others blinked blue, green and purple.
Utterly mesmerized by how beautiful they were, I laughed with delight when one briefly alighted on my outstretched hand.
I hadn’t realized I’d stopped in my tracks until the cameraman cleared his throat, breaking the spell.
Up ahead, I spotted the dark figure of a man silhouetted in front of blindingly bright lights.
The bachelor—the Date-A-Wolf bachelor. I swallowed nervously and hoped this was going to be quick.
And then the heel of my stupid, borrowed shoes caught on the uneven tile floor, and I nearly tripped.
Nice move, Grace!
Even though I was getting cut from the contest tonight, my falling in front of the leading man would definitely make the blooper reel. How embarrassing would that be? And a little hilarious, if I were being honest. But then my goal of not making an impression, even a bad one, would be toast.
I kept my head down and picked my way forward a little more carefully. I didn’t want to watch the dude watching me. I’d probably trip again.
But at the sound of muted, yet angry voices, I looked up. The first thing I noticed was a pair of crutches leaning against a low wall. And then, standing in the circle of lights, surrounded by cameras was a tall, broad-shouldered man. A very familiar tall, broad-shouldered man.
Omg! Travis?
My jaw dropped and my mouth went dry.
Travis Monroe was the Date-A-Wolf bachelor.
My mind swirled with confusion. This had to be a mistake.
Or a joke. Wasn’t Travis engaged? Where was his fiancée?
Did she know about this? Maybe Travis had an identical twin brother.
But then, how do you explain the crutches?
Werewolves weren’t polyamorous, were they?
No offense to the polyamorous community, but that wasn’t really my thing.
Stepping into the circle with him, I tried to make light of the situation with an awkward little wave. “Hey, Travis.”
He glared at me, arms crossed, brows pinched together over golden, very wolfish eyes. “What are you doing here, Daphne?”
I was taken aback at his grumpy response. He was ticked off? Because of…what? Me?
Anger prickled at the back of my neck, and I could feel my cheeks getting hot. He thought this was my fault? “I should be asking you the same thing,” I snapped.
Travis opened his mouth to say something to me, then evidently changed his mind, because he turned abruptly and stepped out of the circle. “Cut the cameras, Jada. I want a word with you. In private.”
I stood there, not knowing what to do. Was this some sort of joke? Was I being punked? If Ashton Kutcher popped out right now, I was seriously going to hurt someone.
“Why don’t you head to the confessional,” said the cameraman, interrupting my chaotic thoughts.
I managed to cobble something together for the cameras, then I proceeded to the bar, squeezed between Sarah and Mia, and ordered a mango margarita.
At this point, I honestly didn’t care about my proximity to a hungry vampire, although I assumed she’d eaten something by now. “Make it a double, please.”
With a flick of his wrist, the bartender set a margarita down in front of me. He had a sweet smile despite the sinister-looking patch over his left eye. Holding the tiny umbrella to the side with a finger, I wasted no time taking a huge sip. It was strong, but very mango-y. Perfect.
Mia fanned herself with the happy hour menu. “I had no idea we were going to be dating Drake Valentino, did you? It literally felt like a stake to the heart when I saw him.”
“Drake Valentino?” I was more confused than ever.
Mia looked at me as if she’d never seen me before. “Do not tell me you don’t watch Secret Shadows.”
“I…I’m afraid I don’t.” I wasn’t sure if admitting that was breaking some sort of paranormal code. I chugged down another gulp of liquid courage and decided I didn’t care. “Never heard of it.”
“Girl, are you serious?” Mia held up her hands as if blocking herself from my ignorance. “I can’t even!”
“I don’t watch it either,” Sarah admitted, clearly emboldened by my truthful admission of my cluelessness.