Ahead of us, Mia could hardly contain herself. She fidgeted and kept fussing with her hair and dress. When it was her turn to go, she burst through the doors, heels click-clacking on the tile floor, and a moment later, we could hear her squeal.
“Guess that’s a good thing?” I murmured to Sarah.
“Yeah, I hope so,” she replied.
The wait felt likeforever. Every woman had to be talking to the bachelor for a long time. Were they confessing their deep, dark secrets and reciting the periodic table?
After a bit of small talk with Sarah about books—she was an avid romance reader like me—it was her turn to go. She glanced over her shoulder, reminding me of a deer caught in the headlights. It occurred to me that maybe she was a deer-shifter or some other prey animal. If so, I could see how meeting a wolf-shifter would be a little daunting.
I gave her a hug. “You’re going to do great.”
“I…I hope so,” she said, hugging me back. “My family will kill me if I don’t.”
Okay, maybe not deer-shifters then. Her family sounded like actual monsters.
Now it was just me in the holding area alone. I mentally walked through what was going to happen. I would give the guy a curt smile and a business-like handshake that said I wasn’t the least bit interested. No hugs.Definitely no hugs.I’d tell him it wasnice to meet him, then I’d head for the confessional where they’d record my two cents. Easy peasy.
Hopefully, the whole thing would be over in time for me to attend the bonfire on the beach. According to a hand-lettered sandwich board in the hotel lobby, they hosted a big bonfire each night with hot chocolate and cocktails, a marimba band and fireworks.
Jada’s walkie talkie crackled. “Okay, I’ll send her in.” She turned to me. “You ready, Daphne?”
I nodded.
“Listen,” she said, that sheepish expression crossing her face again. “Since you’re not continuing past tonight, don’t be surprised if the bachelor doesn’t talk to you much during the cocktail party. He’ll be wanting to spend time with the other women to get to know them.”
“Totally cool with me,” I told her.
“Good.” She looked relieved. “After you meet him, head to the bar and hang out with the others. The bachelor will start pulling a few of the contestants aside for one-on-ones on the veranda. Then we’ll have the charm ceremony, and you’ll be done.”
“Perfect,” I said, giving her dual a-okay signs, grateful the ordeal was almost over.
She took my hands in hers and gave me an earnest look. “You’ve been such a good sport, Daphne. I’ve got a tab at the hotel for you, so any resort activities you want to do while you’re here, all your food and drink, it’s on us. My family owns a dude ranch up-island, so if that’s your sort of thing, let me know. And if you need anything during your stay here, you have my number.”
Then the double doors opened in front of me. I flashed a jittery smile at the cameraman before remembering that I was supposed to ignore him.
The Moonlight Lounge turned out to be quite romantic in agothic sort of way. The place was dimly lit with tiny lights bobbing and twinkling overhead. Large, freestanding candelabras with dripping black candles stood amongst the marble columns and palms. Somewhere in the distance, a string quartet was playing a haunting rendition of a Coldplay song. Were they dressed in monster costumes like the pair near the ferry dock? It suddenly occurred to me that those guys on the street were probably the real deal.
It wasn’t until I turned at the first potted palm that I realized the lights above me weren’t twinkle lights at all, but actual little fairies flitting overhead.Fairies! No bigger than the palm of my hand with butterfly-like gossamer wings. Some of them blinked with clear light in time to the music, while others blinked blue, green and purple. Utterly mesmerized by how beautiful they were, I laughed with delight when one briefly alighted on my outstretched hand.
I hadn’t realized I’d stopped in my tracks until the cameraman cleared his throat, breaking the spell.
Up ahead, I spotted the dark figure of a man silhouetted in front of blindingly bright lights.
The bachelor—the Date-A-Wolf bachelor. I swallowed nervously and hoped this was going to be quick.
And then the heel of my stupid, borrowed shoes caught on the uneven tile floor, and I nearly tripped.
Nice move, Grace!
Even though I was getting cut from the contest tonight, my falling in front of the leading man would definitely make the blooper reel. How embarrassing would that be? And a little hilarious, if I were being honest. But then my goal of not making an impression, even a bad one, would be toast.
I kept my head down and picked my way forward a little more carefully. I didn’t want to watch the dude watching me. I’d probably trip again.
But at the sound of muted, yet angry voices, I looked up. Thefirst thing I noticed was a pair of crutches leaning against a low wall. And then, standing in the circle of lights, surrounded by cameras was a tall, broad-shouldered man. A veryfamiliartall, broad-shouldered man.
Omg! Travis?
My jaw dropped and my mouth went dry.
