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“What? I can’t marry you. Vanessa? Vanessa!” Ben ran off the set, with Starla chasing after him.
“Cut!” Melanie danced in place like Christmas had come early. “We got it all, right? Please, for the love of God and all things reality show holy, tell me we caught all of that on camera,” she shouted at the crew, practically salivating.
My stomach twisted. I’d had enough. I stormed over to where she was reviewing the playback on a monitor, every inch of me vibrating with disbelief. “Hope you’re happy.”
She barely glanced up. “Don’t worry. Drama drives the big payoff. The couple will fight, makeup, and get back together. Happens every season and makes for great TV.”
Keaton joined me, arms crossed, jaw tight. “I wouldn’t be so sure. Vanessa is a pastor’s girl from Texas and her daddy didn’t look too pleased running out of here. If Starla really is pregnant with Ben’s baby,I don’t think Vanessa’s family would approve of this marriage proceeding ahead.”
Melanie’s smile faded. “What do you care? You got your product placements, didn’t you?”
“Yeah,” I snapped. “But without a bride and groom to marry, it doesn’t do you or Keaton’s brewery any good.”
That one landed. Her fake smile slipped. “Shit,” she muttered and grabbed her radio, calling for her assistant to send chocolates and flowers and teddy bears to Vanessa’s room immediately with a card signedFrom Ben with love.
Keaton snorted, clearly enjoying watching her sweat for once. He turned to me, that devilish glint back in his eyes. “I doubt there’ll be a bachelor or bachelorette party tonight. We might as well go enjoy our time in Vegas. What do you say, Sophie? I’ve been dying to hit the craps table.”
I took his arm without hesitation and let him lead me away. But as a former fan of this show with a never-ending hope that two people could find true love on Brewed for Love, a part of me left the venue sad about the turn of events.Like saying goodbye to a good book I’ve read, I left a friend behind.
On the way out, Anthony and Cassandra were mid-argument as well, and we avoided them. It was as a little too much reality had tainted if the entire day, hell, the whole weekend. I was ready to escape it.
Back at the suite, I dropped my bag by the door and flopped onto the couch with a groan.
“I’m going to need therapy,” I muttered. “Or a very large cocktail.”
Keaton locked the door behind him with a guffaw and tossed aside his shoes. “Skip the therapy. We’ll get room service and get drunk on overpriced bourbon instead.”
I lifted a brow. “Thought you needed a night out at the craps table?”
He smirked and plopped down on the cushion beside me. “We’ll do it all. We have time to enjoy ourselves now.”
I leaned my head back and sighed. “I don’t think I could handle being on a show like that, if today was any sign of what it’s like.”
“You understand why I didn’t want to attend now? I entered the show originally so naïve about the experience.”
I nodded and took in his gorgeous profile. Such a nice guy who didn’t need to be wrapped up in this. “Why did you get involved? What, the dating pool was too small for you in Holly Creek?”
“Sounded like fun, at the time. I don’t regret most of it. Guess I’m just ready to move on from it.”
“Melanie’s going to spin this whole thing and come out smelling like a rose, isn’t she? Meanwhile, poor Vanessa. She did not know any of this was coming.”
He snorted. “I wouldn’t count on it. Vanessa probably discovered Ben and Starla’s relationship a month ago, after mailing the invitations. Then Melanie talked them all intohaving this big blowout on camera. It’s all a big mind fuck if you ask me.”
“Really? Either way, I can’t help but feel a little sad for Vanessa.”
He reached an arm over my head, landing behind my shoulders. “You’re being way too nice, considering they weren’t exactly pleasant to you.” He pulled me closer, into his side. “Now, enough about them. Where does that leave us?”
“Us?” My voice turned breathy. “Well, I supposed my obligation as your wedding date is over since there’s no wedding.”
“You don’t know that. We could arrive at the wedding tomorrow, and there’ll be some bride and groom getting married. Who knows?”
“So I’m not off the hook? Still your weekend date?” My stomach twisted. Not at all ready for this weekend with him to end. I should’ve played it cool. I should’ve laughed and tossed back another snarky line. Instead, I fluttered my lashes at him.
“Still mine,” he confirmed with a sly smile. My breath caught in his last word. His fingertips drew figure eights on my shoulder. “So why don’t you let me take you out for a night on the town?”
“I’d like that.”
He stood, and I let him pull me up. He tugged a little too hard, and I fell into his arms and the comfort of his hug.