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“This has been so much fun.” Marina stood next to Jeannie, placing an arm around her waist. “Thanks for hooking me up.”

Jeannie smiled. “I figured you’d enjoy being part of a dating show.”

“It’s been the greatest! I can’t wait to watch once it comes out.”

“And your solo was beautiful, as always. I’m sure we’ll get a ton of offers once the episode airs.” Jeannie glanced at Marina, trying to gauge her interest.

“Yeah, I guess that might be cool,” Marina said with a shrug.

Interesting …

“Speaking of offers, when I was in New York—”

Marina raised her hand and shook her head. “Nope! Stop right there!” She laughed. “I am still a newlywed and wantto wake up next to my husband every day. But give me a few more months and I’m sure I’ll be ready for a break.”

Jeannie grinned. Marina might be ready for a break, but Christian? Never. The sheriff was beyond smitten.

“Marina!” Lindsey walked in from outside. “Al’s finished his confessional, and it’s time for you two to sing your duet. Something somber, if you don’t mind. We need the girls looking all forlorn and shit, because after this, we’re headed back to the Holding Cell for the arraignment.”

Marina shot a questioning look to Jeannie.

Jeannie smirked. “AKA the beach house and the ‘rose’ ceremony.”

“Ahh,” Marina said, eyes twinkling. “Clever!”

“I know, right?” Lindsey said. “Let me go grab Al.”

Marina turned to Jeannie and gave her a hug. “Love you, friend. Remember that.” Marina walked over to DJ Sharkman to get ready.

That wasn’t suspicious at all. What the hell kind of song had she chosen. Jeannie racked her brain for popular duets. “The Girl is Mine?” “It Wasn’t Me?” Maybe “Put it in Your Mouth” by Akinyele? That would be hilarious, but Marina would never have chosen that song. Christian would have to kill Al, and that would mess up his job as sheriff.

“Oops, I’m sosorry!”

Jeannie sucked in a breath as a splash of cold liquid coated her back. She turned to find Iona smirking with an empty beer mug. “I didn’t see you standing there,” she sneered, walking off to join the women and leaving Jeannie to drip.

She rolled her eyes and stalked to the storage room, knowing Susie kept extra uniform shirts back there for just such an occasion. She quickly changed her shirt, not wanting to miss the duet. As she stepped into the hall, she heard whispers from the shadows.

Narrowing her eyes, she walked toward the voice only to see Jazz, hunched over by the back door, talking on a cell phone that Jeannie knew for a fact contestants weren’t allowed to have. She debated saying something when she heard DJ Sharkman calling Marina and Al to the stage.

Jazz forgotten, Jeannie hurried back to the front room as the beginning notes played. Recognizing the song, Jeannie looked up and whispered a silent prayer. That was the only way she’d be able to make it through “If the World Was Ending” without breaking down. Damn Marina for choosing that song. And damn that Diane too. She’d sneaked in next to Jeannie with her camera so that when Al sang his verses, it felt like he was looking straight at her.

Nodding her head, she looked back at him.Yes, Al. If the world was ending, I’d come over.

Chapter 25

Al took in a deep breath as he looked out at the women in the Holding Cell. The evidence briefcase only held three cards, meaning three ladies of interest (or three-ish) would go home tonight.

At this point, he knew it was better to rip the band-aid off rather than stall.

“Let’s do this,” he said to Lindsey, who clapped her hands.

“Okay, people! This is arraignment number three. We shoot straight through, no stopping for any reason. And go!”

Al reached for his first evidence card. This one was easy.

“Jazz.”