Page 23 of Broken Headboards

I’m fucking fuming.

This is why she choose to do a chaise lounge. She knew this would be a fucking question or at least a point of contention. How did I not see this coming?

“Thank you for bringing this up, Ms. Armstrong,” the vice president says to her and then turns towards the rest of the contestants, who all look defeated and rightly so.

“Again, thank you all for your hard work. But we’ve decided our first and second place winners for round 1. Tess Armstrong has been awarded 10 points and because of the questionable durability of Oakmont’s chaise lounge, Austin Randall has received 5. All the rest have zero.”

A few audible gasps and sighs ring through the room, but Tess shrieks in excitement and runs over to Ashley, nearly jumping into her arms.

What. The. Fuck.

Seriously. What just happened here?

I had this shit locked up.

I had it in the bag.

And she came…and snatched it out from right under my nose.

I’m fucking fuming. I want to hit something. It would be one thing if I lost fair and square and they liked her designs.

But no.

She cheated.

She beat me somehow by cheating.

This wasn’t a fair fight.

Ok, fine. She’ll win this one. But at least, I know what to expect now. This little one plays dirty and I have to figure out how dirty she’s willing to get.

I shake hands with the judges, reminding myself to be respectful even though I’d really like to tell them to fuck off. Even Taylor.

I thank my team for all their hard work.

“Pack up and take this back to the studio. I’ll be right behind you,” I tell them.

I head over to Tess, who’s still hugging her entourage, but she turns around when I step behind her.

“Congratulations,” I extend my hand out to shake hers.

“Thank you,” she wraps her fingers in my hand and if I’m not mistaken, I feel a sharp spike run down my spine. It must be the adrenaline.

I grasp her hand, pulling it down and tilting her body towards me. “So, tell me, a chaise lounge?” I hover my mouth over her ear.

“Yes, I see you had same idea. Funny how these things happen,” she snickers, but I see a twinkle in her eyes that suggest something more devious.

“And the coating? How did you find out what I was using?” My eyes narrow.

“I have my ways Mr. Randall. You’re not the only one with connections.”

“Is that so? What kind of connections do you have that I don’t?”

“A lady never tells,” Tess teases me. “Looks like you’ll just have to get used to a woman on top.”

She lets go of my hand, taking a step away from me.

Oh, very nice, you little minx.