“And how was seeing your sister?” Trace added.
“Seeing Piper was great. I’d missed her and she loves Eli.”
“Who wouldn’t? The guy is sickeningly charming,” Rachel said.
“And as for his dad...well...it went.” I didn’t want to say too much for fear of it being aired. “He didn’t disapprove, at least.”
“I’m sure he’s just glad his son is keeping it in his pants,” Sofia said.
“Shut it, Sofia,” Rachel warned.
“It’s fine. Eli was really reassuring through everything. I feel good about it—about us.”
“If that’s really all true, I’m happy for you.” Trace smiled but apprehension still flickered in her eyes. Her warning days ago—about what Danny had overheard—felt like it was from a different lifetime. I appreciated her having my back, but if there was anything I had learned through this experience, it was that I had to take risks. I could no longer go through life scared of my own shadow. That hadn’t gotten me anywhere.
“Sorry to interrupt, Calla, but we’re ready for you,” Brady said from behind the couch. I hadn’t even heard him approach.
“Guess I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I waved.
Echoes of “Bye, Calla” followed as I went with Brady.
Surprisingly, I felt a surge of emotion as I walked away from them. The days of unwinding in that lounge with the people I’d met here were about to be over. The word ‘bittersweet’ came to mind. While I still felt like I couldn’t get out of here fast enough, I’d be forever grateful for my time at the lodge. It had already healed me in a lot of ways.
We arrived at a closed door. Brady jiggled the handle, but it was locked. “Huh, that’s weird. Calla, you wait here while I track down the key.”
Leaning against the wall, I let my eyes drift closed for a moment, ready to get this over with. But the sound of an argument down the hall had me snapping them open again.
Was that Eli?
There was no one in sight so I cautiously moved toward the sounds of hushed discussion. A door was ajar at the end of the hallway and Eli’s voice spilled out.
“I don’t give a shit about your approval,” Eli said.
“That’s not what you said when you agreed to this whole charade.” That was his dad.
I held my breath as I eavesdropped shamelessly.
“Dad, I’ll do anything if you just let me make my screenplay,” Tim said, sounding like he was mocking Eli. “You were desperate.”
“Desperate for you to take me seriously for once in my goddamn life,” Eli snapped back.
“Let’s all just calm down.” I recognized Shay’s forceful voice. What was she doing there? “This whole thing is almost over and it all worked out. America has been loving Eli and Calla together.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at the sound of my name.
“I have to hand it to you, Shay,” Tim continued. “She’s perfect. Those big innocent doe eyes? Plus, that tragic story. She was the ideal choice to garner Eli some likability.”
“Dad!” Eli barked threateningly.
What the hell were they talking about? A pit formed in my stomach. I was terrified of what I would hear next, but my feet remained rooted in place.
“The voting so far hasn’t even been close. Of the millions of people watching, eighty percent voted for Calla and Eli. No one will care about his reputation after this,” Shay added.
“And thank God for that,” boomed Tim. “I’m sick of you always embarrassing me. If I hear one more damned interview question about my reckless son, I’m going to lose it.”
There were some mutterings I couldn’t quite make out before Tim started speaking again.
“Thanks again, Shay. This plan was genius. Get a sweet girl-next-door to fall for Eli on national TV so people forget what a scumbag he’s been? Brilliant. And you knocked it out of the park picking Calla. Although, I thought Eli was going to fuck it all up at first; she wasn’t even interested in him.” Tim let out an obnoxious laugh.
