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Jeannie chuckled. The girl wasn’t wrong.

“And I like that he’s a sheriff’s deputy. A man in uniform is sexy, and it also shows he’s got a good heart to put his life on the line for others.”

Jeannie added another star. It was important for Al to be with someone who understood his commitment to the job. It wasn’t just about the reality show. It may have started that way, but he was a deputy first and foremost.

“And what do you think Al would like about you?”

“Well, I, too, am hot as hell, so we have that in common. We’d make beautifulbabies.”

Jeannie flipped her pencil around and moved her eraser to the star.

“But more importantly, I think he’d like my personality. I’m a fighter. I fight for what I want, just like he’s been fighting for his success all these years.”

Jeannie paused. Al was definitely a fighter. He would like that about Iona.

The casting director laughed. “Oh really? So does that mean you will fight for your man?”

“Hell, yes. Al is going to be mine, and I’ll fight any bitch that gets in my way.”

Jeannie grinned and circled Iona’s name. Every reality show needed a villain, and they’d found theirs. And make that a villain who could potentially win the whole thing? That was a guaranteed hit maker.

Chapter 17

“Al, you’ve got a big decision. There are eleven women of interest, but two of them will go home tonight.” Shane turned from Al and stared into the camera with a smile.

“Technically ten, since two of the women share the same soul. I don’t think they can be separated.” Al took a swig from his beer. It had been a long night, but the end was in sight.

Shane chuckled, and Al swore his teeth sparkled. “Which of the ladies have caught your interest?”

“Well, Mercedes for sure. She has a great personality and is someone I’d like to hang out with, which is important. I want a wife who is also my best friend. I also liked Jazz. She and I have a lot in common, and she seems very down to Earth.”

“That’s great. Now which of the ladies are you less certain about?”

Al’s face heated. He hated the thought of hurting anyone’s feelings, but these were the rules of the game. And he hadn’t spoken to any of them longer than twenty minutes, so they couldn’t be that upset.

“Lilith might be a little intense for me, and,” Al paused as he glanced at his cheat sheet, “I wasn’t able to get a good read on Katy or Charlene.” Honestly, he hadn’t had time to get to know any of the women very well, but he had to say something.

“Well, Al, you’ve got a decision to make.” Shane set a briefcase case on the coffee table and popped it open. “These are the evidence cards, one for each woman of interest that you want to keep.”

Al picked one up. It reminded him of a credit card, but with the picture of a fingerprint on the front and a hole at the top.

“When you’re ready, we’ll meet you in the Holding Cell.”

***

Al stepped into the living room, which was now decked out in crime scene tape. There was no furniture, save for a long bench in the center of the room. Two camera operators waited in the back of the room with Lindsey and Jeannie.

Shane clapped his hands and stepped forward. “Ladies! It’s time to judge your worth.” The women moved to sit on the bench.

Al snorted and Shane shrugged. “We’re still working on that line. I can always dub it in post-production.”

Al moved to the front of the room and set the briefcase on a table. He opened it up and picked up the first evidence card.

“First, I want to thank you all for coming here. I enjoyed meeting each of you. I wish you the best in the future, but for two of you, it will be without me.”

“Mercedes,” he called, and she bounced off the bench to where he stood. He held out the evidence card. “Will you accept this evidence of attraction and continue on this journey with me?”

“Hell, yeah!” She grabbed the card and shoved it into her bra.