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“Late night?” Jeff asked as he passed her a butter dish.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She winked, amaze
d she felt as chipper as she did this morning. She’d expected to wake all teary-eyed at what could have been, but would never come to pass. Apparently memories of making love with Rob outweighed any remorse she experienced over knowing he didn’t plan on a repeat performance. She’d count her blessings. “So, what’s on the schedule this morning?”
“A trip to Paris for shopping and amour.”
Jill’s gaze shot suspiciously to Bachelor #4. “Really?”
“Don’t listen to him. You know we signed up to stay within these stone walls until the filming is finished.” Steve reminded with a glower at Bachelor #4.
Jill shot him a scowl of her own. She hoped he got booted on tonight’s show. His jokes just weren’t funny. She might could get past that if he didn’t think he was the funniest thing since knock-knock jokes. Surely he’d get the axe soon.
She chatted with the bachelors for a few more minutes, enjoying the delicious eggs, sausage, and toast.
“That’s a wrap. You guys enjoy the rest of your meal.” The cameraman lowered the camera from his shoulder. He shot Jill a glance. “You, too.”
“Thanks.” She always felt more relaxed when the cameramen weren’t in her face. Of course there were still the mounted cameras, but it was easy enough to forget they watched her every move.
Too easy as she’d discovered last night.
JP entered the room. Was it her imagination or did he look harried this morning?
“Jane, you and the bachelors are going canoeing today.”
“Canoeing?” Now there was something she’d never done. “I don’t know how to canoe, but sure.” How hard could it be to sit in a skinny boat and paddle?
“Then this will be an enlightening experience for you, won’t it?” He sank into one of three empty chairs remaining at the large round table.
“I can teach you,” Bachelor #4 spoke up.
Maybe they’d lose him in the small lake where she and Jeff had picnicked. She gave a tight smile in his direction, before turning to JP. “Okay, if canoeing is on the agenda, I’m cool with that.”
“Smile. It’s not like we’re talking extreme sports here.” JP advised. “You’ll have a great day.”
“Sure.” Canoeing would eliminate the possibility of seeing Rob this morning.
She’d really wanted to look in his eyes to see how he felt about last night. Did he have an extra bounce to his step? A satisfied gleam in his eyes? Or would she see regret? Regret for making love to her? Or regret for asking her to leave his bed?
Maybe when they got back from the lake, she’d have the opportunity to search him out.
Luck was on her side. After changing into a pair of shorts and a plain taupe T-shirt, she ran into Rob in the corridor outside their suites.
“Rob,” she breathed when she almost collided into his thick chest.
He winced. She might have been hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but Rob hadn’t wanted to see her this morning. He regretted their night together and obviously preferred to forget. “Ji-ane.”
Hope spiraled down like a fighter jet shot from the sky. So he wanted to avoid her. Fine. That was what she’d promised to do when she’d seduced him.
“Morning, Rob.” Her smile might blind him from its fake brightness. “Did you sleep well?”
Okay, so maybe she wasn’t feeling quite so generous after all.
“Not particularly.” He raked a hand through his already tousled hair. He didn’t appear to have slept at all.
“Sorry to hear that,” she lied.
“I’m sure you are.”
