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“Oh, uh, there weren’t any towels in there. I guess they are being washed. You know, I sure could use a drink. How about we film a scene at the bar? I bet the fans will love a nightcap with the host.”

She waited until their footsteps died off and then another few minutes to be safe. She looked at her watch and swore.It had been fifteen minutes since she’d left Shane to pee. Maybe she could text him and claim food poisoning. She’d heard a few whispers that the hotel food had made some people sick.

As she crept through the lobby, she locked eyes with Al at the bar. He was sitting next to Shane, with Diane standing nearby filming. With a slight nod of his head, he acknowledged her. Any more and he’d give her away, but God, how she wished things could be simpler. She’d just had the hottest sex of her life while on a date with another man. And now she was slinking away like a teenager on prom night. Maybe she was more like her mother than she wanted to admit.

Chapter 32

“Ladies, we’re down to the final three. For two of you, the evidence of attraction is piling up. But for one of you, well, in a few minutes you’ll be free to go. Al, when you're ready, please submit your findings.”

Al held back a groan as Shane walked out of the scene. The tool was so over the top it was ridiculous. But so was the show, so it fit. In fact, the only thing that didn’t fit about the show was him. He stepped forward, ready to get the arraignment over. Did it even matter who he sent home at this point? The person he really wanted wasn’t an option.

“Iona, please step forward.” Al picked up an evidence card and stared at it dramatically. Marina had told him that was important. He knew exactly who was going home tonight, but she stressed he needed to appear to be struggling.

“I never could have imagined our date would end the way it did, with a fire alarm and a hotel evacuation.”

“Got that right,” she muttered.

“But even though we lost that time together, it helped me realize I do want more time with you.” He held out the evidence card. “Iona, will you accept this evidence of attraction?”

Iona’s scowl vanished and she smiled bright enough to light up the room. She plucked the card out of his hand and reached her arms around his neck. “Any time you want to reschedule, you let me know,” she purred next to his ear. Her lips kissed just under his earlobe, nipping him slightly. “I’ll provide you with so much evidence, you won’t know what to do with yourself.”

Al cleared his throat, then reached up to pull her hands from his neck. “I’ll keep that in mind.” He fought the urge to wipe his neck clean. Iona was pure sex appeal, and by all rights, he should be sporting at least a semi. But alas, Al Junior’s eye was only focused on one woman.

“Mercedes, please step forward.” Her hair was piled high in a messy bun, and she wore a dark green tracksuit, partially unzipped to show her signature cleavage. She took off her sunglasses and set them in the space between her breasts. After the show, she should write a book.A Hundred and One Ways to Use Your Cleavage (Besides Turning Men into Zombies).It could work.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I got rode hard and put away wet, ehmuchacho?”

The fuck?

“Uh, Mercedes, you were pretty drunk last night, so maybe you’re confused. But I can assure you, we did nothing even close to that.” His eyes searched the crew, scanning until he found Jeannie. She was looking straight ahead, purposely avoiding his gaze and her eyes were like tiny slits. Surely, she didn’t believe that he slept with Mercedes, then came downstairs and slept with her?

Mercedes cocked her head to the side and shrugged. “You asked, I answered.” She crossed her arms and pursed her lips, daring him to say anything else.

He wasn’t sure what to make of her attitude, but he didn’t really care either. If she was going to lie about their time together, she definitely needed to go. “I think we’re in different places with our lives right now. You are vibrant with such a zest for life, I’m not sure I could keep up. In fact, I’d probably hold you down. I wish you the best in life, but for now, there’s no evidence of attraction.”

“No jodas, idiota.”

The poor girl. She’d lost her capacity for speech. Hopefully she’d be okay in a few days.

“But come here anyway,” she said, throwing her arms around him in a big hug. “I had a great time, and next time you come to San Antonio, look me up and we’ll drink ourway down the Riverwalk.” She stepped back and waved to the girls. “Adios, putas!”

Iona rolled her eyes, but Jazz laughed. “Later, Mercedes! Safe travels.”

Al’s shoulders sagged. Almost done.

“Jazz, will you step forward, please?”

She walked in front of him, smiling sweetly.

“Our date was also cut short, but I do hope that won’t turn you off to North Carolina seafood. I’m sure we didn’t get the fish on ice soon enough.”

“Oh yeah, no worries. Shit happens, right?” she said, and Diane laughed out loud from behind her camera, earning her a loud shush from Lindsey.

“I’m glad you can laugh about it. That’s one thing I enjoy about you—your ability to roll with the punches.” He reached over to pick up the evidence card. “Jazz, will you accept this evidence of attraction, and go with me on one more date?”

“Of course.” She took the card and gave him a brief hug before clipping it to her necklace.