Pick Me (17 page)

“Oh, I think you do. I’ve come into possession of a few old video tapes. I have to say, I kinda liked the fro-slash-mullet look over the shaved head deal you’ve got going on, but I digress. Let’s see here,” he said, flipping through the videos. “We have
Trimming Bush,
Long Hot Swallow,
Pokerhaunches,
and my personal favorite,
A Tale of Two Clitties.
That one had to have landed you as director of
Pick Me.
Derek Delmont must have seen a few clips from this video and hired you on the spot, right?”

A long pause ensued before Jonas snarled, “What do you want.”

*

Valentina’s stomach did a quick somersault as she caught Derek’s reflection in the green room mirror. She darted her gaze to Goldie, who was adding a touch of powder to Valentina’s cheeks. “Goldie, once again you’ve outdone yourself. Thank you for taming my curls and for getting rid of those bags under my eyes.”

Goldie squeezed her shoulders. “Oh, pooh, I didn’t have to do much, you’re a natural beauty. Quit being so hard on yourself. I’m off to see if any of those hunky bachelors need a little touch of Goldie. Good luck.” She winked, and after sending Derek a nod, she left the room.

Valentina stared at Derek’s reflection, running the speech she’d intended to give him through her head, while wondering if what she was about to do would turn into the biggest career blunder.

“You wanted to talk to me?” he asked, and sank into the sofa opposite the mirror.

She swiveled her chair to face him. “Yes.”

Forehead creasing he leaned forward, and rested his forearms on his knees. “Is this about the show?”

“No, not really.” She shook her head and released a nervous laugh.

His face relaxed. “For a second, you had me thinking you were backing out
when it was just about to end.” He smacked his hands together, a smile brightening his face. “Okay, then, what can I do for you?”

She rose, then wringing her hands, began to pace. “When you first asked me to play bachelorette, I didn’t want to. But I understood the show would tank, and everyone would be out of a job, including me. When you offered to make me your Assistant Producer, double my salary and read one of my screenplays, I knew I would’ve been a fool to not do the show.” She stopped and needing to soothe her dry throat, she reached for a water bottle.

He leaned back into the sofa. “But...”

“I appreciate your offer, and while I’d love to work for you, and could definitely use the money, I’m just not sure my heart is in it anymore.”

“Because you lost it to Colt?”

She whipped her head to face him. “Is it that obvious?”

“To me it is. I’ve watched the footage taken over the past four weeks, and have seen the way you look at him...the way he looks at you. Then there’s your body language, the small smiles, the way you practically undress him with your eyes.”

“Derek,” she shrieked, while her cheeks burned with embarrassment.

He chuckled and held up a hand. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I mean, are you kidding? This—you and Colt—is what
Pick Me
needed to boost her ratings. A couple who has a genuine affection for each other. Don’t be embarrassed and before you ask, no one has said a word about it. I do have a knack for picking up on the slightest nuances, so your secret is safe with me. Well, until you pick him during the season finale,” he added with a wink.

She lifted a shoulder and pursed her lips. “You’re right. I am going to pick Colt, which is why I want to hold off on your offer...for now.”

“So you’re thinking of staying in Dallas?”

She’s asked herself the same question, many, many times, and still had no solid answer. Yes, she loved Colt. Yes, she wanted to take a chance on him. But would he want her once she revealed the ugly truth? That would be the deal breaker. “I’m not sure.”

Derek rose from the sofa. “Whatever your decision, I want you to be happy. I don’t want you to come to LA unless you’re absolutely certain there’s nothing for you here in Dallas.” He moved to the door, then paused. “You know, I had a chance to read your screenplay.”

Darting her eyes to his, she held her breath. She’d given him a copy of
Dark Knights
the day after she signed the contract he’d offered her guaranteeing all the career perks that would go along with her being
Pick Me’s
bachelorette. “You did?”

“Yep. It’s a cool idea, and I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve already passed it along to the production studio’s bigwigs.”

Smiling like a fool, she darted over to him. “Really?”

“Yeah, really. And you know,” he said, and laid a hand on her shoulder. “Writing screenplays for a hit TV show is something you can do anywhere.” With that last comment, he left the room.

Before the door closed, before she even had a chance to dwell on anything Derek had said, Danny plowed into the room. “We’re on in ten. Are you ready to roll?”

She nodded, and let him weave her through the backstage of the studio. As they neared the set she slowed her feet. “Wait,” she said, and gripped his wrist.

“Val, don’t tell me you’re nervous. I mean, this is it. No more cameras after today. And by this time tomorrow, you and Colt will be jet-setting away to a hell of a vacation.”

She shook her head. “How do you know I—”

“C’mon, Val. We’ve been working together for four years. I’ve never seen you goo-goo eyed for any man until you met Colt. Actually, I think it’s great. You’ve been such a cynic about the show...about love, I’m glad you found someone. Maybe next season, because thanks to you, I think our ratings will improve and there definitely
will
be another season, you’ll cut some slack on the bachelors and bachelorette.”

She loved Danny. Trusted him, but knew now wasn’t the time to tell him about what Derek had said, or what she’d planned to do about her relationship with Colt. The season finale would begin in a matter of minutes, and everything she wanted to spill would likely take hours. “We’ll see,” she said, then gripped the heavy curtains separating the back studio from the stage, and braced herself for the last time she’d have to face the cameras.

The show’s theme song kicked in, the studio audience cheered as Shepp McCord made his entrance, then sat on one of two oversized chairs which faced four others. He raised his hand, and the audience quieted. “Welcome to
Pick Me’s
season finale. For four weeks, our bachelorette, Val, has dated all three bachelors. And as they wait for her decision, you know they’re all thinking...”

“Pick me,” Shepp and the audience shouted in unison.

The whole scenario brought her back to the first time she’d faced the studio audience. To before she’d realized Colt was one of the bachelors. While she still didn’t believe two people could find love on a reality show, she couldn’t deny the love she felt for Colt, and she owed the show, Derek, and maybe even Jonas for that. Without them, she might have never pursued what she’d denied in her heart six months ago. That Colt was, and is, the only man she’d ever give herself to—on every level.

Her attention turned back to Shepp as he began to introduce the bachelors. Brad came out first, looking happier than she’d ever seen him. Maybe he and Larissa had a heavy work out session that had nothing to do with a treadmill or weights. She hoped so, the two of them made a cute, very buff couple.

As cheesy as Velveeta, Trent came out next, performing his corny air drum solo. Somehow, though, Trent made cheesy look cool, with his edgy good looks, all of his wicked tattoos, and his long hair. Like Brad, he appeared carefree and happy, and she couldn’t help but feel a jolt of guilt. Trent was a good guy, and seemed so into the show, and her. Fortunately, Trent had one of those “roll with the punches” personalities. He’d congratulate her and Colt, but she had little doubt he’d be alone for long. The notoriety he’d receive from the show would have women all over him once the show aired. As she was imagining a blur of tattooed women with piercings in all the wrong places hunting Trent down, Colt appeared on stage. 

Her heart thudded with an overwhelming amount of love. God, it had only been a day since she’d seen him last, but it felt more like a week. She’d missed him last night. Missed snuggling on the couch watching TV together. Missed having his strong arms cradling her while she slept. She missed him. Period. And once again wondered how she could have ever thought she could spend four weeks with him and keep their relationship casual. She’d gone beyond casual, and now wanted to try her hand at commitment.

Once the bachelors were seated, Shepp faced the audience. “Folks, it’s time to bring out our
lovely
bachelorette, Val.”

As the crowd cheered, she looked to Danny, who gave her a nod, then she walked out on stage. Ignoring the audience, the blaring lights, and Jonas who appeared unusually tame, she met Colt’s gaze. Worried the cameras would catch the love bubbling inside her, she looked away. Before she did, she’d captured a bit of the strength he resonated. Strength she’d need to work through the season finale. Strength she’d need to tell him the truth during their trip afterward.

Once the audience quieted, Shepp said, “Before Val picks one of our bachelors let’s take a look at some of her dates.”

The studio darkened, and behind them a huge screen began to show clips of each date. The audience laughed when Trent tried to teach her to play the drums, and again when Brad hauled the big, stuffed gorilla over his shoulder after battling the strong man carnival game. A big “aww” came when a clip—she knew was from one of the spy cams Jonas had made her wear—appeared of Colt giving her a passionate kiss. More footage ran. More oohs and ahhs were expelled from the audience, until the studio lights brightened and the screen dimmed.

“It’s been quite a run, huh, Val?” Shepp asked.

“Yes it has. I’ve had a lot of fun with all three bachelors. They’re special guys.” And she meant that. While she might love Colt, Brad and Trent would always hold a soft spot in her heart. They’d been chivalrous, sweet, and had always put her interests first. Sure, they were on a reality show, but she suspected, based on their personalities, that even if cameras weren’t rolling they’d have been just as accommodating.

“Unfortunately, though, you have to pick
one
bachelor, who you will take with you on a fabulous trip to
Jamaica.
” Shepp shouted the last word and the crowd once again erupted. When the audience calmed, he said, “Okay Val, who’s it going to be? Is it Brad, the personal trainer?” The lights dimmed again and focused on Brad. “Or Trent, the rocker dentist?” A beam of light hit him and he made the peace sign. “Or maybe Colt, the sports agent?”

When the light hit Colt, her heart dropped. He was so incredibly sexy. She ached to be in his arms, and wished she could fast forward the rest of the season finale, take him back to her apartment and lose herself in his body.

Shepp’s voice, a bitter reminder that she still had unfinished business with the show, forced her to tear her gaze from Colt’s. “Val, do you need more time to make your choice?”

Yeah, right. She’d made her decision four weeks ago. “No, Shepp, I know who I’m going to choose.” She let her gaze roam from bachelor to bachelor, offering them each a smile, but when her eyes me Colt’s, she couldn’t stop the huge grin splitting her face. “Colt,” she said, and the crowd went wild.

Trent and Brad offered Colt a congratulatory handshake, then rose and crossed the stage toward her and Shepp. She stood, and hugged Brad first.

“Thanks for whatever you said to Larissa,” he whispered in her ear, then gave her a brotherly peck on the cheek.

Once Brad stepped back, Trent gave her a big bear hug, raising her heels off the stage. “I had a lot of fun, Val. You’re a super cool lady and I wish you all the best.” She’d expected another drum solo, but he too gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek instead.

Shepp stepped forward. “Let’s hear it for Brad and Trent.”

While the audience clapped, and Brad and Trent left the stage, relief and anticipation thrummed through her veins. Trent and Brad hadn’t seemed to care one way or another that she’d chosen Colt, and now that she’d picked her bachelor, she no longer had to worry about keeping their real relationship a secret.

Colt rose from his chair, looking devastatingly hot in a white button down shirt that highlighted his tanned skin, a pair of worn jeans, his trademark belt buckle, and dusty cowboy boots. Not bothering to wait for Shepp’s cue, she somehow managed to sprint across the stage in a tight dress and four inch heels, and fall into Colt’s arms. She felt his grin against her temple as he held her tight, then she tipped her head back, wanting to see that sexy smile, wanting desperately to kiss his lips. To show the world how she felt about him.

He placed a lingering, yet chaste kiss on her lips. When she drew back and met his gaze, her breath caught. There was nothing chaste about the way he looked at her. His eyes held a possessive tenderness that tore at her soul. She was his, as much as he was hers.

Shepp came alongside them. “Don’t they make a great couple?”

The audience clapped in agreement.

“But we can’t send our happy couple off to Jamaica just yet.”