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Jeannie pressed her face into Al’s chest and began crying in earnest.

“Thanks, Daniel. Let me know if anything changes, yeah?”

“You got it, brother. Wish I had better news.”

Jeannie cried for several more minutes before finally coming up for air.

Al passed her a few tissues from the bedside table. She blew her nose and wiped her face, taking several deep breaths.

“Right, well, I guess it’s a good thing you have that show lined up. Ben needs out of that place ASAP. A lawyer could probably ask for a transfer. The sign-on bonus will be enough for that attorney’s retainer.”

“The show?” Al stared at her blankly.

“Okay, I know you can be a little spacey at times, but don’t tell me you forgot aboutLaw of Attractionalready?”

“Jeannie, I can’t do that show. Not after …” He looked back at the rumpled bed. “We’ll find another one.” Surely, she didn’t think he had any desire to date someone else now that they’d finally gotten together.

“And how long will that take? Ben needs to get out of there yesterday,” she huffed as she pulled on her socks and shoes.

“We’ll try harder. There’s got to be something. How about one of those shows where I have to eat bugs or eyeballs?” Before this moment, Al had thought he’d do anything to help Ben. Hell, that’s how he’d ended up as a spokesperson for Divine Hemorrhoid Cream. But give up a chance with Jeannie? No way.

“Al.” Jeannie sighed and patted his arm. “You’re such a sweetheart. That’s why America loves you. Rock hard abs and a heart of gold. And they are going to be so excited to watch you fall in love.”

“But I, I mean, we …” He stumbled to find the words. Was she seriously friend-zoning him right now? How had he gotten this so wrong?

“We got carried away. These things happen at weddings with all the romance and alcohol. It’s fine. We’re fine. We can just act like it didn’t happen.”

“Act like it didn’t happen?” he repeated. Act like the best night of his life didn’t happen?

“Yes, we had a one-night stand. Not a first for either of us, and probably not our last. Now you’re going to sign thatcontract and go date your ass off. It’s probably a good thing we did this since you’ve been out of practice for a while. It’s like I primed the pump, and now you’re ready.” She turned and started to gather her belongings from the room.

“Primed the pump?” His heart sank, and he clenched his fists while he counted to three, fighting the urge to punch his reflection in the mirror.What a fucking idiot.While he had always been popular with women, he was the guy they wanted to fuck, not date. The guy they called for a good time, but not for a long time. Hell, his own mother couldn’t be bothered to care for him. And he thought Jeannie would want him like that? Jeannie, the most amazing, wonderful, beautiful, loving woman? She knew him better than any other person on the planet. Which meant she knew he wasn’t worthy of her heart. He looked up as she opened the door.

“Sign the contract. They’ve offered to let me help with casting. I’ll be gone for a few weeks, but I think that’s for the best. To help with the casting, I mean. I can make sure they pick ladies you’ll be compatible with.”

“Yeah, well, you know what I like.” He folded his arms over his chest and nodded toward the bed. It was a low blow, but he hated how easy it was for her to dismiss him.

“Right! Glad this didn’t have to be awkward. See you later.” She walked out of the room, pulling the door behind her.

Al fell onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Her vanilla and citrus scent clung to the sheets, taunting him with memories of last night.

“Fuck this.” He sat up. So what if love wasn’t for him? He’d gone this long without it and turned out just fine. Plenty of people found happiness in money and fame, and this show could bring him both. He’d go on that show and date those women. He’d get the money for Ben, and in the process, make sure his show was the best damn reality dating show the world had ever seen. Offers would fly in, and he would forget all about the time he’d stupidly given his heart away. But first, he needed to send a text message.

“Marina, I know you’re busy banging your new husband but call me as soon as you get this message. I need you to tell me everything you know about reality dating shows.”

Chapter 9

Jeannie repeatedly tapped the down button, urging the elevator to come faster. Tears blurred her vision, and she feared she couldn’t hold them back much longer.

As much as she’d try to ignore it, her love for Al had morphed from a sweet “I’m glad to have you in my life” love to a desperate “I can’t live my life without you” love. Al was her first thought when she woke up and her last thought before she went to sleep.

Last night was a dream come true. Or a late-night fantasy. But that fantasy came at a cost, and Al was already eaten up with guilt over Ben’s arrest. If they gave up the show to have a relationship, they’d delay any chance Ben had to get out. And God forbid he was in another fight and the worst happened. They would never forgive themselves. Their relationship would be forever tainted. They would hate themselves and worse, each other. But that would assume Al had been interested in more than one night. Hedidn’t seem that upset when she suggested it was just a one-night stand.

The elevator doors opened, and Jeannie stepped inside, grateful for the loud family arguing over their plans that could distract her. She’d never cried over a guy before, and she didn’t need to start today.

She grabbed her phone and fired off a quick email to the production company, accepting their job offer. The thought of casting Al’s harem might make her skin crawl, but it would be worth it to leave town for a while. With a little time apart, maybe things could go back to the way they were before. Before she knew what it was like to join her soul with another, and before she had let it go.

Chapter 10