Page 119 of One to Watch

“Before we get started,” Johnny said as the cameras started rolling, “Bea has something she’d like to say. Bea? The floor is yours.”

Bea nodded and stepped forward. She felt sick with nerves, the image of Luc and Lauren in the bathroom fresh in her mind, the feeling of Luc’s hands etched in her skin, the memory of Sam’s and Asher’s rejections stinging in her gut. She knew that if she was going to move forward with any of these men, it was time to say out loud what she wanted. Without that, none of them stood a chance.

“This was a really tough week,” she started, her voice quivering. “We had a lot of miscommunications, and though I know it wasn’t your intention, all three of you hurt me, and badly. And I know that’s partly on me, because I haven’t been totally clear with you about what I want. So. So I’m going to do that now.”

She took a deep breath and looked up at the men, all three of whom were staring at her intently.

“I want to fall in love,” Bea’s voice broke, “with someone who loves me. Who wants a committed relationship with only me. To figure out if we’re right for each other, and, hopefully, to build a life together. And if you don’t want that, too, well. Then I want you to tell me. And I want you to leave. Okay?”

The men nodded, everyone looking uneasy, and Johnny gave Bea the cue to begin the ceremony, in the order they had discussed.

“Sam?”

Sam exhaled and walked toward Bea, his expression more serious than she had ever seen it.

“Bea”—he took her hands in his—“I am so, so sorry that I hurt you this week. You know I didn’t mean to, but that’s on me for making a decision that affected both of us without talking to you to see what you wanted. I hope you can forgive me for that, and I hope you want a future together as much as I do.”

Relief mingled with the tension Bea was feeling as Sam leaned down and she pressed her lips against his cheek. She still wasn’t remotely sure whether he was ready for a serious relationship, but at every turn, he exceeded her expectations, and she was grateful they’d get to spend another week together.

“Okay, Bea,” Johnny prompted. “You can only bring one more man to the finale. Who’s it going to be?”

Bea knew who she wanted to bring—she just didn’t know if he was ready for this next step. She called Asher’s name, and he looked considerably less pleased than Sam as he approached her.

“I don’t know why you keep doubting this,” he said tensely. “I’m not sure what else I can do.”

“Asher, you have to understand,” Bea pressed, “this whole time, it’s been so hard for me to know what’s real. I just—I have to know that we’re on the same page, that this isn’t me wanting something you’re not ready to give.”

Bea knew Asher had a right to be frustrated, but the truth was that she was getting pretty aggravated herself. Sam had no problem expressing his devotion to Bea—hell, even his love for her—so why was it so damn difficult for Asher?

He exhaled heavily, like he was reading her thoughts—or maybe just her face.

“I know.” Asher smiled. “I know how hard it’s been for you. And I want you to know how excited I am for us to live our lives outside of this. No cameras. No pressure. Just us. Okay? That’s what I want.”

He leaned down so she could kiss his cheek, and she lingered near him, breathing in his assurances, hoping they would steel her for what was coming next.

“Luc, I’m sorry.” Johnny affected his most serious tone. “That concludes our ceremony. Please take a moment to say your goodbyes.”

Walking toward Bea, Luc looked, if possible, even more handsome than he had that first night of filming. He looked worn now, more tired, more sad. But he wasn’t a stranger anymore, Bea thought. She knew him, and he was much more beautiful for that. No matter what he’d done, it was going to be terrible to say goodbye.

“I know I let you down this week,” he murmured, “and for this, I cannot forgive myself. You must know that our night together was perfect; for me, this is one of the best nights of my life. I hope you believe it’s the truth?”

Bea’s throat felt too tight to speak—but she nodded. Luc took her in his arms and hugged her close; over his shoulder, she saw that Asher’s face was stony, and her nerves started churning again. Was he thinking of Vanessa? How angry was he to learn she’d spent the night with Luc?

“My Bea,” Luc said, brushing a loose curl away from her face. “I still believe you should have everything you want. I am only sorry I cannot be the one who gives this to you. We both know why I must be the one to go today. But I wish I did not have to.”

Bea smiled at him sadly. “It should honestly be illegal to be that charming.”

Luc laughed softly, his great, throaty laugh, and it hit Bea how much she was going to miss him.

“I have to say goodbye to you now,” she whispered.

“Don’t say goodbye,” Luc teased gently. “Say ‘adieu.’”

“Oh my God.” Bea laughed. “You are so fucking French.”

“Mais, bien sûr.” Luc grinned, and with that perfect familiar glint in his eye, he walked off and disappeared into the hotel.

Bea sighed—that was it, right? The hard part was done; it was time to wrap the ceremony and load the vans to drive to Paris for their final week of filming. But the cameras were still rolling, and everyone held their marks.