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“I’m excited and nervous. I’m falling for each of these women, but for different reasons.” Bile rose in his throat at the lie, forcing him to pause as he swallowed it back down. Thankfully Marina had coached him well on what to say. His gaze flickered to Jeannie, who stood behind the camera, scribbling into her notepad.

“Mercedes matches my personality well, and I know we’ll always have fun together. Jazz and I have a lot in common. We’re both dedicated to our jobs in the justice system, and she’d be understanding if I had to work overtime on a big case. And Iona, well yeah. What can I say about her? She’s a gorgeous, strong woman. We’ll challenge each other, so life will always be interesting.”

Shane laughed into the camera, then turned back to Al. The dude was so fake. Al had no idea what Jeannie saw in him and his perfect fucking teeth.

“Sounds like you have quite the dilemma ahead of you, but maybe this will help. The next round of dates will all be solo, giving you a chance to get to know the women even better. At the end of the evening, you’ll have the chance to offer the women this.” He handed over a keycard. “This opens the honeymoon suite, where you both can choose to spend the night. No cameras, just the two of you, a hot tub, and a mirror on the ceiling.” Shane laughed again and winked. “Just kidding about the mirror. Maybe.”

“Thanks, that sounds great.” Al gulped. He sneaked a glance at Jeannie again. Her head was down, focused on that damn notepad as if she refused to even look at him.

“And cut!” Lindsey shouted. “Great scene, everybody. Al, you’re done for today. Crew, take ten and then we’ll have a quick meeting.”

Jeannie bolted from the room before anyone could stop her. He was desperate to talk to her, but what would they even say? In the old days, they would have sat down over drinks and Jeannie would have offered her best tips on wooing the ladies. But now …

Al crossed his arms over his chest. Now, she couldn’t even stand to look him in the eye when the overnight dates werementioned. Could that mean she was jealous? Al grinned. In all the years they’d been friends, Jeannie had never been jealous of his dates. Maybe their one night together meant more to her than she was willing to let on. The weight in his chest lifted a little. Two more eliminations. That was all that was left. A couple of dates and two eliminations. Then he’d collect his paycheck and go after his girl.

Chapter 27

I’m sorry, but we no longer desire to use your marketing services. We’d like to cancel our contract at the end of the month.

Jeannie jolted up from her phone as Lindsey’s shrill whistle tore through the room.

“Great work, folks! We have a few low-key days where we’re taping confessionals with the women and Al. Then we’ll have the overnight dates.” She paused as snickers of laughter filled the room.

Jeannie tried to hold back her disgust. As if it wasn’t enough that she’d been let go by the third client this week because she’d been too busy focusing on the show, now she had to think about Al bedding a bunch of women. Although, after the other night at Susie’s, maybe she was wrong. Was it possible he felt the same way she did after their nighttogether and only went along with the show because she insisted? Her fingers reached up to her lips, remembering the way Al’s had felt there. What if—

“After three passion-filled nights in the honeymoon—no, excuse me—conjugalsuite, we’ll be down to two women of interest. We’ll head to New York City to film the last dates and final arraignment. So tonight, have a few sips, and enjoy a few slow days. Then gear up because the job’s not done yet!” Lindsey raised her glass and the sound of cheers competed with clinking glasses around the set.

“Conjugal suites? Is she kidding with that? Is that even a thing anymore?” Diane asked Jeannie.

“Um, honestly, I don’t know. I can’t imagine Christian allowing something like that in his jail cells.”

“Son of a bitch!” Diane shook her head and laughed. “No wonder Hope never complained about working late. I’ll bet that little hussy was watching.”

“Eww!” Jeannie exclaimed, grateful to have something to take her mind off her imploding career and Al’s overnight dates. The jail cells in the back of the sheriff’s office were small, like a bank vault with a twin bed, stainless steel toilet, and a tiny window in the door. But her mind drifted to those old-timey cells like in Mayberry, with iron bars so the deputies could always see what washappening. Bars she could hold on to when Al showed up in his uniform and railed her from behind.

“Earth to Jeannie! You sure you’ve got wine and not moonshine in there?”

“Oh sorry, girl. I was daydreaming. What did you say?”

“I was asking what you thought of the final three. Who do you think Al will choose? And whoshouldhe choose?”

Jeannie sighed. So much for taking her mind off things. “I think all the remaining women are great. But Mercedes might be too much of a party girl. Al has changed so much since becoming a deputy and I’m not sure he’d be able to keep up with her, or if he’d even want to.”

Diane nodded. “Good point. If he sends her home, I hope she invites me to her pity party. I’m sure it will be epic.”

Jeannie laughed. “Iona is gorgeous and confident and would be a good match for him. But she is the villain of the show, and she’s said some pretty mean stuff. Al doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, so I’m not sure how that would play out if he does pick her.”

“Could be pretty awkward when they watch the show later and he sees how she made Charlene cry after the go-kart race.”

“Exactly.” Jeannie took another sip from her glass. “And then there’s Jazz. They have a lot in common work wise, and she lives a few hours away, so that could actuallywork.”

Diane lifted her glass and chugged the rest of her wine. “You think so? Have they even, like, hooked up or anything?” Her eyes shifted around, probably looking for someone with a bottle so she could get a refill.

“Um, I don’t think so.” But she didn’t really know. Maybe they had. Maybe he was enjoying being the bachelor and making out with everyone. The wine soured in her stomach. “She seems perfect on paper, there’s just something … I don’t know.”

“Something? What kind of something?” Diane leaned in closer. “You can tell me.”

“I really shouldn’t.”