Page 134 of Say Yes to the Nemesis

The room goes quiet except for the nervous shifting of bodies on leather couches. I feel my stomach clench because twists on this show are never good. They’re designed to create maximum drama and minimum comfort for everyone involved.

“For the next forty-eight hours,” the host continues, his grin getting wider, “Ryan will be spending time with one contestant. Exclusively.”

Murmurs ripple through the group. Heidi actually gasps and presses her hand to her chest like she’s having a heart attack.JacqLyn mutters something under her breath that sounds distinctly unflattering.

“This contestant will have full access to Ryan, outside of cameras, outside of scheduled dates. Just the two of them.”

My stomach drops straight through the floor. Oh no. No, no, no. This is exactly the kind of setup that Elena loves, the kind that forces people into impossible situations and then films the fallout. I can already see where this is going and I hate every second of it.

The host turns toward the doorway where Ryan is presumably waiting. “Ryan, who are you choosing?”

For one split second, I let myself hope it won’t be me. Anyone that wouldn’t make me the enemy of the house.

Ryan walks in looking like he owns the place, which I suppose he kind of does. His eyes scan the room briefly before locking onto mine. There’s something in his expression that makes my pulse stutter.

“Wren,” he says without hesitation.

The air gets sucked out of the room. I can feel every pair of eyes turning to stare at me, some shocked, some angry, some calculating what this means for their own chances. The whispers start immediately, a low buzz of speculation and resentment.

My pulse is hammering so hard I’m pretty sure everyone can hear it. I expected some kind of setup, but this? Forty-eight hours alone with Ryan while the other contestants stew in their own jealousy? Elena really went all out on this one.

“Wren and Ryan,” —the host beams— “pack your bags. You’re leaving tonight.”

I look at Ryan and panic starts creeping up my throat. He just smirks and leans back in that casual way he has, like he planned this whole thing. Like he knew exactly what was coming and decided to roll with it.

“This is bullshit,” Divya says loudly. “She already has an unfair advantage because of her brother.”

“Totally unfair,” Heidi agrees, though she’s trying to keep her voice sweet. “Some of us are actually here to find love.”

They’re not wrong. I am here under false pretenses. I am paid to be here. But the feelings… those weren’t part of the job description. I didn’t mean to want him.

The implication stings even though I know it shouldn’t. Because the truth is, I’m not here to find love. I’m here to do a job. But somewhere along the way that job got complicated and now I’m sitting in a room full of hostile women who think I’m cheating my way to the final rose.

“Ladies,” the host says with fake sympathy, “I know this is disappointing. But Ryan has made his choice.”

More grumbling. More pointed looks in my direction. I want to sink through the couch cushions and disappear completely.

“Pack light,” the host tells us. “You’ll be leaving in an hour.”

I stand up on shaky legs, my mind racing. Forty-eight hours alone with Ryan. No cameras, no other contestants, no buffer between us and whatever this thing is that we’ve been dancing around for weeks.

I’m completely screwed.

I should be angry. Embarrassed. But underneath all of that? I’m a little bit thrilled. I wanted him to choose me. And he did.

“Wren,” Daisy calls out as I’m heading for the stairs. When I turn back, she gives me a thumbs-up and a wink. “Have fun.”

At least someone’s on my side.

I make it to my room and start throwing things into my overnight bag with hands that won’t stop trembling. Clothes, toiletries, the book I’ve been trying to read but can’t concentrate on. I have no idea where we’re going or what we’re supposed to be doing for two whole days.

“Hey.”

I spin around to find Ryan leaning against my doorframe, his own bag slung over his shoulder. He looks completely calm, like this is just another day at the office.

“Are you insane?” I hiss, glancing around to make sure none of my roommates are within earshot. “What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that I’m tired of pretending I don’t want to spend time with you.”