Page 26 of His Choice

“He is,” James agreed.

“But that wouldn’t have been the only reason. I’ve seen him around town. He’s always nice to people, it seems. And I’ve heard lots of folks in White Pines say he’s helped them out when they needed it, and that he isn’t stuck up about his looks or his money.” I paused, waiting for another wave of dizziness to pass. “I was dumb enough to think… Maybe I could have a week of fun just being in his orbit.” I flushed. “Maybe more. Not as a boyfriend, because I know I’m not good enough. But maybe as friends.”

“Thanks for telling me,” James said.

“I’m wretched, I know.”

James sat on the edge of the bed and patted my shoulder. “Everything you heard about Cliff is true, you know. He is an awesome man.” I nodded. “But the producers wanted you on the show for a reason. I think you’re selling yourself short.”

“Not really. It was my roommate, Aaron, who convinced me to audition. The producers only let me come on because Aaron made it a condition for casting him. They saw Aaron has the potential to win the whole thing, even though he’s straight,” I explained.

“Wait. He’s what?” James asked with alarm.

I panicked. Had I just let that slip? Damn that liquor! “Crap.” I put my head in my hands. “I’m making a mess of everything.”

“Why would the producers want a straight guy on a gay dating program?” James pressed.

There was no point lying about it now. I explained it the best I could through my brain fog. I walked James through how Aaron and I were not allowed to tell Cliff or the other castmates. I mentioned that other than a heads up that Aaron had given his parents so they wouldn’t be shocked, he and I would be unable to communicate the plan outside the set because we’d have no access to social media. I shared how Aaron had agreed to be cast so he could keep an eye on me, and that he planned to pretend he was falling for me—not Cliff—to keep Cliff from mistakenly choosing a straight guy. “They were going to cast the way they wanted anyway,” I added. “Aaron is a good guy. An ally. He thought what the producers were doing sucked. He’s just trying to outsmart them and not let them cast some other straight guy who could ruin Cliff’s chances of finding someone.”

James paced for a couple of moments. “I knew I was right to worry about Cliff doing this program. I observed some of those producers, and I didn’t trust them. Unfortunately, Cliff tends to have faith in most everyone until they give him a reason not to. It pisses me off to learn that they’re taking advantage of that.”

I sighed. “Yeah. But maybe Aaron is the only straight guy they cast. Are you going to tell Cliff? Should I hire a lawyer and be prepared to get my ass sued?”

James contemplated. “I’m not sure how the production company could bring a case against you since you haven’t broken the contract. You haven’t told Cliff or the other castmates. If the producers didn’t foresee where you or Aaron could slip the information to one of Cliff’s staff members during an unmonitored moment, that’s their problem.”

I felt some relief, hoping James was right about the technicality. “Aaron saw another loophole in the contract. It didn’t say he couldn’t inform the viewers directly, which he plans to do during one of the contestant confessionals. He’ll explain to them everything I shared with you.”

James pursed his lips. “He could be pressing his luck. I’m not a lawyer, but that might be relying too much on a perceived omission in the contract. If nothing else, the producers could boot him from the show, and it sounds like you’re more comfortable with him being here. Can I think about this and commiserate with you guys later?” I nodded. “Let’s do what we can to protect Cliff while preventing you or Aaron from getting blowback.”

“Okay.”

“Don’t think about it anymore tonight. Get some rest. You’ll want to be on your game tomorrow,” he advised.

“Yeah. My game is biggest loser,” I grumbled.

James chuckled. “You can either mope or try to redeem yourself. Besides, you never know. Lots of people might have watched and sympathized. Cliff is very empathetic himself. I doubt that little incident caused irreparable damage.”

“Like I said, I never had a chance anyway.”

“If you believe that, then there’s nothing to lose,” James reasoned. “But I know Cliff, and he’ll be drawn to sincerity and kindness. And contrary to your self-appraisal, I think you’re cute enough to compete with the others.”

“Thank you, James. You’re very nice,” I said.

James shot me an encouraging smile. “A little advice—Cliff also admires resilience and determination. As he tells his employees, a bad first impression doesn’t kill your chances with someone—it’s how you handle it that cements peoples’ opinions of you.”

Chapter Nine

Cliff

“You’ve all met the contestants and listened in on conversations Cliff has had with them,” the show’s host, Emilio Nunez, said into the camera. “The gentlemen have retired to their rooms here in the mansion, and we have a chance to hear Cliff’s reactions. He is joined now by his closest friends and family who had a chance to mingle with the guests, too. We’ll ask them to share their opinions as well.”

Emilio introduced the Tilson family, pointing out that Adam is the White Pines mayor. He also introduced Mitch and Keller, and Simone and Ezra, before reminding people of my mother.

“I think we should start with you, Cliff,” Emilio suggested. “After all, your first impressions are what matter most. Did any lucky guy strike your fancy?”

I nodded, remembering to sound positive about everyone at this point in the program. “I was blown away by how great everyone seemed. I’m excited to learn more about each of them.”

“But no one person stood out?” Emilio pressed.