Page 10 of Say Yes to the Nemesis

Holy shit. Wearing this outfit, I’m a babe. I have no idea where the attractive woman peering back at me came from.

She’s hot. Whoever she is. I’m not sure she’s me. But if I take this off… what happens then? Do I disappear again? What if this is the only version of me people care about?

Jay would probably have a coronary if he saw me in this. He’s always been the overprotective big brother type, and this outfit? Yeah. This would push every single one of his panic buttons.

I’m glad to say, Jennifer decided my fiery copper tresses were too beautiful to dye. Instead, she left my hair long, bluntly cut, and styled in a way that makes me seem rebellious. I’m wearingheavy eyeliner and bold red lipstick. My cheeks are brushed with a light pink blush that somehow makes me look younger and more alluring all at once.

I don’t even know what to say.

“Well?” Jennifer asks, eyes shining. “What do you think? Isn’t it amazing? You look incredible.”

I stare at myself for a beat too long. “I feel like I’m going to walk out of this room and immediately flash my butt at a stranger.”

She laughs. “You’re gonna be fine. Honestly, I think you picked the perfect look. You might just win the whole competition based on this style alone.”

My cheeks, already pink from blush, turn bright red.

I back away from the mirror and shake my head. “I’m not trying to win based on looks. I just want to compete, like Elena said… and hopefully get voted off early.”

Jennifer winks.

I start to head back into the dressing room, but she stops me.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to change,” I say, motioning to the tiny dress. “I’m not walking out of here in this.”

“Why not?” she asks.

“I’m part of the crew. I don’t want everyone judging me… and walking around dressed like this? People will definitely notice.”

Jennifer taps a perfectly painted nail against her lips. “I get it. You want to keep this under wraps while you’re working. But I’ve spent all afternoon getting you gussied up. You can’t let the makeover go to waste already.”

I gesture to the dress. “I can’t leave like this.”

She holds up a finger. “Hang on.”

She darts into the wardrobe room and comes back with a coat. It’s a dark trench that hits just at my knees.

“Here. Put this on. That way you can leave without anyone knowing what kind of magic is going on underneath. Later, you can go out and look hot. Trust me.”

She shoves the coat into my arms. I put it on—mostly to appease her.

But she’s right. As soon as I button it up and belt it, I look like a perfectly modest, respectable young woman. No one would guess what’s underneath.

Jennifer nods approvingly. “I’ll go get Elena.”

“Let’s both go.” Cinching the coat tightly at my waist, I follow her. “I’m ready to get out of here and go back to my real life. It’s much less exciting and sparkly, but it’s where I’m comfortable.”

“You never know. You might get used to your new look.” She smiles as we head toward the production office.

I hear a deep male voice down the hallway. “Hey, y’all are paying me to be here. I’ll do whatever and go wherever you need me to.”

No. Hearing that voice in my workplace feels as though someone suddenly splashed me with a bucketful of ice water. It can’t be.

My steps slow as Jennifer and I walk around the corner. And there he is. Six foot five, broad shoulders, dark hair, and that stupid haughty look he always has on his fucking face. The kind of blue eyes that make you believe in clichés. His abs have abs.

Ryan is here. And he’s… shirtless. He’s wearing tight black jeans and black boots. His shoulders and chest gleam, his abs ripple, his arms flex. As we move closer, I can see the freckles that cover his body from head to toe standing out on his shoulders.