“Don’t worry, Miss...?” The producer waited for Sienna to answer.
“Sienna Hudson.”
“Ah, yes. Of course. The youngest sister to Audrey, and one of the three bridesmaids, correct?”
Sienna nodded, but mercifully kept her mouth shut.
Fox looked back up toward the producer.
“The contract clearly states that so long as everyone respects the duties outlined in the contract, Eli and Audrey will get their wedding, all expenses paid, at the end of the ten days.” He cleared his throat, the thin, tight smile back on his lips. “And if there are no further questions, you’re dismissed. Take this time to get settled into your rooms, take a walk around the property, whatever you wish. Just make sure you report to the office next to the meeting room at noon for hair and makeup.”
Bruce gave one last pointed look in Sienna’s direction before marching back down the stairs and over to where the camera crew stood. Bruce launched into giving directions to them, pointing several times to the sisters.
Eli wasn’t kidding when he called Sienna the drama queen of the family. Not only was she rude, but she spoke too quickly, without thinking about what it might mean for others. Though he’d known her for less than thirty minutes, he wasn’t too eager to see what other flaws she had up her sleeve—not that he should care. Normally he wouldn’t, but if her big, fat mouth ruined his best friend’s special day, he wasn’t going to be very happy about it.
He mentally poured over the contract he had signed when he agreed to come on this show for Eli. There were so many clauses, and each one could be broken. He imagined all the ways Sienna could mess things up. Would she try to make this all about her?
He startled when a firm hand gripped his shoulder. “Don’t worry about the makeup.”
Fox looked up at his best friend. “Huh?”
“You look concerned, but don’t worry about it. Even male reporters wear makeup when they’re in front of the camera. I’m sure they won’t make you look like a clown.” Eli chuckled.
Fox nodded, still distracted by the contract. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s gonna be fine. I’m just feeling a little on edge. Bruce made me uncomfortable. Did you notice the way he stormed off?”
“I’m sure he’s just not used to being interrupted by people.”
Fox raised his brows. “And that’s why I am concerned. Hopefully, Audrey’s little sister doesn’t ruin the wedding.”
“Ruin the wedding?” Eli snorted. “You’re going to have to relax, man.”
“How can anyone relax? It’s reality TV. It’s like you and Audrey have gone completely crazy.”
“Look, I know everyone is a little freaked out about us agreeing to do the show. But weddings are expensive, and we’re scraping by on two teacher’s salaries. We basically have to decide if we want to get married or buy a house.”
“Have you considered waiting on the house?”
“Of course we have, but now we don’t have to.” Eli grinned. “Not only is the network paying for everything this week, they’ve also agreed to pay for the honeymoon.”
“And doesn’t that make you a little wary? They aren’t putting up that much cash for purely altruistic reasons, you know.”
“I know,” Eli said with a sigh. “But I love Audrey, and I want to give her the wedding she deserves.”
Fox resisted rolling his eyes, but just barely. Eli had been this gooey eyed for Audrey since college. He should be used to it by now. “And you’re prepared for the reality show drama that’s sure to follow?”
Eli smiled. “No matter what challenges get thrown our way, when it’s all done, I’m going to be the happiest man on Earth because I’ll be married to the love of my life.”
The level of cheesiness of his best friend was getting out of control, and the cameras hadn’t even started filming.
“And if this week is really hard, that’s okay too, because we’ll be sipping strawberry daiquiris in Mexico while everyone else goes back to their day jobs.”
“Well, you could at least pretend to feel bad for everyone else.” Fox shook his head. “Show some remorse?”
“Not a chance,” Eli answered. “Now let’s go grab our bags. We don’t have long before they start painting our faces.”
* * *
Two hours later,bags unpacked and makeup applied, Fox and the rest of the wedding party stood outside the inn’s meeting room. There were several people on the production crew standing with them, easily identifiable by the lanyards around their necks that read,Wedding Gamesin repeating print. Bruce was nowhere to be seen, and Fox thought that was for the best as Sienna walked up.
