Page 72

Yeah, it was cowardly, but I don’t want to be scrutinized by Jack and Spencer in Trey’s home. And I’m going to need some time to analyze what in the heck happened between us.

Was it only in my imagination, or had Trey leaned in to kiss me too?

We’ve still got dates to go on for Love, Austen and this is turning into a giant mess.

Chances are high I’ll be the one left with a broken heart.

32

TREY

And the chicken award goes to Trey Hatch. Okay, I’m not a chicken completely since Jack and Spencer ruined what might’ve been our first kiss. I’m thinking Kenzie might have gone for it because she was leaning.

I just need to tell her how I feel. But how? I’ve never done something like that before.

It’s been twenty-four hours and I’m still getting texts from Jack teasing me about the whole thing.

Me:Are you ready for date #3?

Kenzie:Barely. I’m exhausted, but I managed to get the living room cleaned up at my dad’s. So close.

Me:The shelves came this morning. We’ll have to put those together tomorrow.

I just need to come up with a good explanation of how to tell her I like her by the time she comes back.

Kenzie:Sounds good. Where is your date tonight?

Me:It says meet in Boston Common.

Kenzie:Are they trying to recreate the swan boats? They need something more original.

Me:Yeah, something more exciting.

It doesn’t take long to get to the park in the middle of Boston, but for once, this date is when the sun is going down.

I see the group of camera men. It’s like they’ve tripled from the past couple dates.

“What’s going on?” I ask Samantha, who’s standing next to the table and going over something with another man on the crew.

“We are getting ready for the dates, of course.”

“What is the date, exactly?” I ask, not liking her tone.

Samantha shakes her head. “You’ll have to wait and see. Since you’re here early, why don’t we get you over here for an interim interview?”

I stare at the camera and shake my head. “Not today. I need preparation time to do that.”

“Do what?” Kenzie asks. She’s next to me and looking between Samantha and me.

“Do another interview. We never redid your first one, Kenzie.”

Kenzie shakes her head. “Just do the final one. I’m ready to get the show on the road.”

She’s got her hair down and curled, a touch of makeup on her face. I’ve liked her for several days now and she just keeps worming her way deeper into my heart.

Several others show up, the ones I recognize from our first day at Love, Austen.

“Now that we’re all here,” Samantha says, getting everyone’s attention, “we’ll get started. Today’s date will be a traveling dinner. You’ll be able to start with drinks, then move to get appetizers. Another restaurant for the main entrée and then finally dessert. Your dates will be coming in just a few minutes and we’ll let you know where to start.”