Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
They all laughed and went back to talking nonstop.
“Why is she eating with the crew?” Jack asked. When I didn’t answer, he went on. “Because she’s just the host, not a potential date.”
For some reason, I didn’t like how he’d worded that. As if Kipton’s role on the show was less important than anyone else’s.
The countdown began in my ear, and someone called out to the room, “We’re live in one minute.”
A few of the girls rushed over to the makeup people standing off to the side with mirrors. They adjusted their hair or faces, then quickly made their way back to their seats.
I exhaled, and Sarah—a girl who was apparently famous on TikTok and Instagram—gave me an understanding smile. She reached for my hand as she said, “It’s a lot, I know. Just take a few deep breaths.”
I decided I liked her. I hoped she was one of the girls I got to go out with first. The moment I had that thought, Kipton popped into my mind…and I suddenly felt guilty.
“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked. “You look sad all of a sudden.”
“Nah,” I said, flashing her the smile that I used when I wanted to flirt, even though I really wasn’t in the mood. I knew the dimple would throw her off. “I hope you’re on the list for week one to date.”
Her cheeks blushed, and Jack talked in my ear. “You’re live, and everyone is tuned in to how you’re looking at Sarah. She can definitely be up first if you want.”
I ignored him and pulled my gaze off Sarah to glance around the table. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m stuffed.”
“We haven’t even had dessert yet!” Haleigh stated. I think it was Haleigh. When I looked at the nearest plates, they proved the girls had hardly eaten a damn thing. How did they keep up their energy with no food?
“Right. Dessert,” I said, as waiters and waitresses suddenly appeared with slices of cheesecake smothered in a blueberry sauce. I watched as the women ate. Most took two or three bites and that was it. When one realized the blueberry sauce might stain their teeth, nearly all pushed the plates away.
“We’re going to Kipton in thirty seconds,” Jack said in my ear.
“Thank fuck,” I whispered quietly after all the red lights on the cameras in the ballroom went dark. I stood and quickly made my way toward the exit. I was stopped by two security guards.
“Ms. Howse is live right now, sir. Please wait here.”
I nodded and looked past them to see Kipton standing in front of the doors all the women had dramatically walked through earlier. She gave another recap of how the show would work, then began her wrap-up.
“Thank you so much for joining us live tonight, as we all got to know Hunter and the twenty beautiful ladies who are certainly vying for his attention. Be sure to tune in Wednesday, December third, for our second live show and our first date! Until then, I’m Kipton Howse. Good night, everyone!”
The light on the camera went off and someone yelled, “We’re clear.”
Jessie walked up to Kipton and helped her take off the earpiece and the mic. Larry, my assistant, did the same for me. My ear was already aching, but Larry assured me that after a few days, I’d get used to wearing it. I hoped so, because it was nonnegotiable. The producers wanted to be able to talk into my ear at all times, especially during a live show.
I started to make my way over to Kipton when someone called my name. I turned to see Stormy heading toward me.
“Hunter! A few of us are going to a bar for some drinks. Would you like to join us?” she asked, a hopeful gleam in her eyes. I had just spent two hours with all twenty women, and as much as I enjoyed their company—well…some of them anyway—I was ready to go home.
“Thanks so much, Stormy, honestly, but I’m exhausted. It’s going to take me a bit to get used to all of this. I’ll see you soon.”
For the briefest moment, she looked pissed. Then something switched in her expression and she said, “No problem, darlin’. See you later!”
She moved in to kiss me, but I took a step back, noting the small frown when I did so. I cleared my throat and turned as I called out, “Have fun!” I quickly made my way over to where Kipton was speaking to Jack.
“Am I interrupting?” I asked.
They both looked up from the tablet they’d been studying. “Not at all,” Jack said. “We’re just reading some of the comments off the blog on the show’s site.”
“Seems like you’re a hit with the viewers,” Kipton said with a wide smile. “Some are already making their guesses on who you’ll end up with.”