Falling for You (23 page)

“I don’t — ” Evan shrugged. “Maybe.” It was the best he could offer his friend. The truth was, Evan didn’t know for sure one way or the other. All he knew was at this point, he owed it to himself to find out.

“What about your vow to not get involved with anyone? You finally figured out that’s impossible and stupid?”

Evan sighed. Had he decided she was worth that risk? Was not being with Cassidy a better alternative than being with her and maybe getting hurt someday in the future? “Maybe. I don’t know, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep this quiet. I’m going to pack. I want to catch a ride home as soon as my girl gets voted off.”

“Tell Erin I say hello.”

Evan hoped he’d said enough to convince Brad to put Cassidy in the bottom three, but not too much to cast suspicion on his motives. Only time would tell and the elimination ceremony couldn’t get here fast enough.

• • •

Evan was in complete disbelief that Cassidy sat across from him in the interview room again. He’d been sure when Brad had put her in the bottom three, America would vote her out. But for some reason, they hadn’t.

“How do you feel about being one of the final girls in the competition?” He started the interview with the provided questions.

“I’m shocked,” she said, shaking her head. “I never dreamt I’d make it this far. I thought I’d be the girl who gets sent home the first week.”

“Let’s talk about your last challenge. This time it was a private date with Brad, correct? Where did he take you?”

“We had dinner outside at the Mountain View Terrace restaurant in the chateau. We shared a nice meal and admired the view of the mountains for a while.”

“Sounds romantic.” He didn’t want Cassidy thinking romantically about Brad.

“Yes, I suppose it was romantic with a table set for the two, and an outdoor bed with about a million pillows so we could relax together and enjoy the stunning view. I’m sure most girls would dream of this as a perfect romantic moment.”

But did you?

“Did you take advantage of the romantic setting to get closer to Brad?”

“Um, well … ” Cassidy blushed a light pink. “We lay on the bed talking for a while, which was nice. I know Brad really wanted to kiss me, but when he leaned it for it, he bumped my glass of wine and it spilled all over my blouse.”

“That’s terrible. Were you able to continue on with your date after you’d cleaned up the mess?”

“No.” He could tell Cassidy struggled not to giggle. “Unfortunately,” she continued, “the wine was going to stain my shirt and I needed to get it cleaned right away so our date ended a little early.”

“Did Brad walk you to the door and kiss you goodnight to end your very romantic private date?”

“He did walk me to the door, which was nice and I appreciated it, but after the wine spilled on me, I was cold and really wanted to take a shower and get into some clean clothes. So no, we didn’t kiss at the door. I think we left the romance on the terrace with the dessert we didn’t eat.”

Ah, poor douche bag Brad. Epic date failure.

“Are you hoping you’ll get another chance for a kiss during this last challenge?”

Evan wasn’t nearly as bothered by these questions as he would have been a week ago. He knew Cassidy’s feelings for him were strong and Brad wouldn’t get another kiss any time soon. Still, a little part of him couldn’t help feeling jealous at the idea of having to watch them together again at the last challenge.

“Since I don’t know what the challenge is, it’s hard to know what to hope for.”

“The competition is down to two girls. How do you feel about Zoe being here with you?”

“I’m happy for Zoe since she really wants to be in the final two, but I wish I had someone more enjoyable to spend my last few days in the house with.”

“What do you mean?

“I don’t think it’s any secret that Zoe and I aren’t best friends.” Cassidy rolled her eyes. “She’s made it very clear she’s the only one meant to be with Brad and the only one who deserves to be here. I guess since she’s the last woman standing, maybe she’s right.” Cassidy finished with a shrug like she admitted defeat against Zoe.

“But she’s not the last woman here. You’re still here. Doesn’t that mean you deserve to be here, too?” He cocked his head to the side.

Doesn’t she realize she is way more amazing than Zoe will ever be?

“I guess America must think so since they voted for me to stay. Or maybe they want to keep me around so they have someone to laugh at. Everyone loves the underdog, right?”

“So you think Zoe is the running favorite to win?”

Cassidy adjusted herself on the couch, tucking one leg under the other. She looked tired of answering the relentless string of questions.

“I don’t know. America doesn’t get to vote for who wins, so the choice is all up to Brad. I’m not sure which of us he likes better. I guess the last challenge will probably help him make his decision.”

“Are you worried about who he’ll choose in the end?” he asked, honestly curious.

“No,” Cassidy replied sounding confident. “Zoe and I are two different people. Once he has a chance to spend a more time with each of us, I think he’ll realize he likes one person a lot more than the other. We’re so different, I think one of us will simply be a better fit in his life.”

Better be Zoe.

“Do you think your history with Brad will make a difference in his choice?”

“Of course it will. How could it not? We have memories together. He already knows what it’s like to date me, so he’ll have to decide if he wants me again or if he wants to try someone new.”

“Are you ready to date Brad again if he chooses you?”

“I don’t know. I wish I had an answer for you, but I don’t.”

Evan scanned the sheet of questions. “I guess that’s all the questions I have for you today. Enjoy the last challenge and good luck.”

“Thanks,” she said, smiling one of her amazing Cassidy smiles at him. “I need all the good luck I can get.”

I think we both need that.

Cassidy stood in the kitchen comforted by being back in the familiarity of the house she’d called home for the last few weeks. Especially since it meant she finally had a little space from Zoe. Sharing a suite with her at the chateau hadn’t been a picnic for anyone.

Cassidy whisked eggs in a bowl and dumped them into a hot skillet, then topped them with cheese and ham. It wasn’t healthy, but it reminded her of home and that’s exactly what she needed right now.

Everywhere she went there seemed to be a lot of packing going on. Cameras were coming down from ceiling corners, mic packs were being inventoried and placed in boxes, even decorations were being removed from the walls and bubble wrapped.

She’d snuck downstairs when she’d heard Evan go into the shower so she could have a few camera-free moments. The alone time was bliss.

“Whatcha making?” Zoe asked, coming up behind her, also without her cameraman. Seemed they’d both managed to ditch their responsibilities.

So much for bliss.
“An omelet.” Cassidy rolled her eyes and wished Zoe away.

“Make me one, too.”

“How about you make it yourself?”

“I don’t know how.” Zoe leaned back on the counter to watch Cassidy. “Now if you asked me to make Death by Chocolate Cupcakes, that I could do. An omelet, not so much.”

Give her one and she’ll go away.

Cassidy sighed and put the finished omelet on the plate and handed it to Zoe. “It’s not low-fat and borders on burned. Enjoy.” She turned her back and started fixing herself another omelet — one she’d actually get to eat.

Zoe grabbed a coffee and wandered out the back door with her omelet in hand and without so much as a thank you.

Bitch.

The door opened again.

“What now, Zoe? Need me to hand feed you, too?”

“I can feed myself, thanks.”

Cassidy turned, spatula in hand. Susan stood with her arms crossed and looking — well, looking pissed. “Hey, Susan. What’s up? More helpful tips for me today?”

“I know you think this is all gonna work out between you and Evan after the show ends, but it’s not, so you should get over him now and save yourself the heartache later.”

Oh boy.

Cassidy attempted to look innocent. “I’m not sure what you think is going on, but Evan’s just my cameraman.”

“Sure he is.” Susan took a few steps closer. “Listen. I’ve worked with Evan a long time, so I know the signs. He may say you’re different, but you’re not. You’re just like every other girl he screws on production.”

Cassidy cringed at her words.

“I wouldn’t waste your time on him. You actually have a chance with Brad, don’t mess it up by screwing around with Evan.”

“Thanks for the advice, but mind your own business and I’ll mind mine.” Why did people always think they could tell her what to do? She wasn’t anyone’s pushover.

Susan’s face turned scarlet, her eyes narrowing to slits.

Yep, I’ve pissed her off. Great.

Susan opened the back door again, but paused halfway out. “If I were you, I’d dress up tomorrow unless I wanted to look stupid on TV, but I wouldn’t want to stick my nose in your business or anything. Your eggs are burning.” She disappeared through the door without another glance.

Cassidy turned back to the skillet to see smoke rising from the pan. She grabbed it and tossed the whole thing into the sink, running water on it. The water hissed and spit as it hit the hot pan.

She suddenly felt like her future with Evan had gone the way of her uneaten omelet — burned and unappealing.

• • •

Cassidy and Zoe been told the final challenge would be away from the house, so they needed to pack a small bag, as well as get the rest of their belongings ready to ship home.

Cassidy had enjoyed the experience, but she was ready for the show to end. The sooner they were on their way to the final challenge, the sooner the show would be over and she’d be free.

Free from Brad bringing up feelings from the past she didn’t want to explore.

Free to be with Evan — if he still wanted her. She had thought he would before, but after talking to Susan, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

Cassidy grabbed the black backpack provided for the challenge and began thumbing through the T-shirts folded on her shelf. Of course, since she didn’t know what they were doing, packing was a challenge in its own rite.

“Any hints as to what I might pack?”

Evan stared at her silently.

Cassidy sighed. Going back to the silent treatment got harder and harder every time. She couldn’t wait to be away from the camera for good. To be normal around Evan, if he stuck around long enough.

“Okay then, I guess I’ll pack one of everything and hope for the best. The least they could do is hint at what kind of clothes we might want to bring.”

Of course, Susan had hinted, but could she be trusted after the whole Corona incident?

She rummaged through her dresser drawers pulling out clothes and separating them. Some went right into the overnight bag for the challenge, everything else needed to go into her suitcases to ship back to New York.

Her stomach tightened at the thought of going back to the city. With the show almost over, she’d have to face real life again. Her chest ached when she imagined waking up in her cramped little apartment after getting used to the sprawling mansion.

How would she feel about Brad once she was surrounded by memories of him again? Was she really ready to head home with nothing — with no one? No Evan or Brad.

Did she even want to go back to the city? Back to the subway station, lost among the throngs of busy people fighting their way to work. She could almost smell the ripe, hot stench streaming out of the street vents and the stuffiness of the thick air in the subway tunnels.

She stared at Evan who was leaning back against her dresser casually recording her every move. She studied his face, the line of his jaw, and toned muscles of his arms.

Or would she rather stay here with him? Was that even an option? Or maybe she should try somewhere new — somewhere warm, like California.

He peeked his head out from behind the camera and gave her a curious look. She read his lips when he mouthed, “You okay?”

Tears sprang to her eyes. Her head spun with uncertainty. Everything seemed so confusing all of a sudden.

The possibility of not seeing Evan, not being near him, stole her breath away.
What am I doing? I barely even know him and I’m worried about not seeing him every day.

She ran her fingers under her eyes, wiping away the tears before they started and wouldn’t stop. She wouldn’t cry about this. Not yet. She didn’t even know how she felt about Evan yet, let alone how he felt about her. There was no sense crying over something she didn’t even understand.

Cassidy placed the backpack on the top of the dresser. She could finish the rest of her packing later, but right now she needed to relax in a nice warm bubble bath.

She sat on the edge of the tub adjusting the water until it was hot enough to soak the tension out of her weary muscles. She grabbed one of the fancy little bottles of bubble bath and poured the last bit of liquid left from it into the water. Hundreds of bubbles came to life, floating across the surface of the water. The delectable scent of chocolate filled the air.

Cassidy wiped her eyes again to make sure no tears still lingering on the brink before turning to face Evan and the camera. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave so I can take a bath.” She tried her best to make her voice sound strong. “I’m sure America doesn’t need to see that.”

Evan clicked the record button off and set his camera aside on the counter. He took her in his arms before she could protest. His hands found the mic pack hiding in the small of her back, which he expertly removed and shut off, placing it on the counter next to his camera.

Cassidy inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of his cologne as he wrapped her in his arms. He was strong and gentle and incredibly handsome. How could she ever believe memories of Brad could compare to the reality of Evan? But how could Evan ever catch up to the history she already had with Brad?