Page 134 of One to Watch

“Seriously? Do you think they’ll sue him?”

“No, that was just a useful threat to make sure I didn’t shut down production. I don’t think they’d bother over whether he shows up for one reunion show.”

Bea’s tone was casual, but the truth was that she thought about Asher more than she liked—when she read something funny, when she wore anything leopard-print, when she stopped into Sephora and found herself browsing for things Linus might like. As angry as she still felt about the way he’d abandoned her at the first sign of trouble, she found she missed him even more. She’d asked Alison to look into whether he’d be coming to the reunion, which was how she found out he’d cut off contact with the production staff entirely. That was that—he couldn’t possibly send a clearer signal that he had absolutely no interest in seeing her again. It stung—and badly—but Bea knew that if she could get over Ray, she could get past Asher too.

“Serious question, though,” Marin deadpanned, aiming to lighten the mood, “can I punch Ray when you see him?”

“Marin!” Bea laughed.

“Not like a Krav Maga hit—just a gentle CrossFit hook! Please?”

“He got down on one knee on national television and I said I’d rather be alone than marry him. Isn’t it possible he already got his comeuppance?”

Marin scowled. “Not even close.”

Once they arrived at the studio, things moved quickly: Bea was back in the hair-and-makeup chair, then off to wardrobe, where Alison dressed her in a custom Jason Wu tuxedo with slim pants, long lapels, and a sheer chiffon camisole that gave the illusion Bea was wearing nothing at all underneath. Her hair was styled in a sleek chignon, her eyes were rimmed with black kohl, and her five-inch black-patent Manolos were completely impossible to walk in. In short, Bea looked like a fierce boss bitch—the total opposite of a typical Main Squeeze reunion show look, which was something soft and white and lacy that suggested a glowing bride-to-be.

“Wow,” Marin enthused, “if any of these men didn’t regret losing you already, they’re really going to now.”

“Right?” Alison grinned. “My work here is done.”

“Ugh,” Bea sighed, “your work literally is done.”

“Nuh-uh, I’m styling you forever.” Alison gave Bea a warm hug, then turned to Marin. “Where are you watching the show? Up in the audience?”

“Oh, I guess.” Bea didn’t miss Marin’s affected nonchalance. “Bea, is that right?”

“You can watch wherever you like,” Bea said pointedly. “Do you want to hang with Alison in the green room?”

“I mean, sure, if that’d be cool with you?” Marin turned to Alison, who smiled coyly.

Well, Bea thought, maybe someone will find love from my time on this show after all.

But before she could poke any further fun at her two friends, a producer came to grab her—the audience was seated, and it was nearly 5 P.M. Pacific, 8 P.M. Eastern. Time for the show to begin.

@Reali-Tea Okay shippers & sippers, are you ready for the big @MainSqueezeABS reunion show?? Tweet along as we find out the dirty dish on how that finale really went down.

@Reali-Tea Here’s Johnny to intro a blooper reel of all the men being idiots in the house, snore. How many times can I watch Trevor get wasted and fall off the diving board?

@Reali-Tea Omfg, they’re making all the personal trainers (Kumal, Ben K., and I want to say Ben Q.? maybe?) take a quiz about fatphobia and every time they get one wrong they have to do 10 push-ups hahahahaha I love this show so much

@Reali-Tea OH SHIT they brought Ben G.’s kindergarten class to teach Jefferson why it’s bad to be a bully!!!

@Reali-Tea Boss little girl: “Jefferson, do you think it’s okay to be mean to people?”

Jefferson: …

BLG: “Well, if you don’t think it’s okay, then why were you mean to Bea?”

Jefferson: …

Tiny boy w/glasses: “My mom said that bullies hate themselves. Do you hate yourself?”

@Reali-Tea They’re making Jefferson take Michelle Obama’s anti-bullying pledge. Y’all, I will go to my grave stanning this show, I swear to god.

@Reali-Tea Awwwww, it’s Wyatt!! Hey boo! He’s thanking @ombea and all of us for accepting him for who he is, I am cry

@Reali-Tea Johnny’s telling Wyatt they have a surprise guest to see him???