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Before I could stop myself, I snorted, subsequently choking on my wine. A few heads turned my way, and I waved them off. That is, until I glanced up and saw Flynn looking right at me. We locked eyes for a second, then he went back to his speech.
Butterflies erupted in my belly, and I worked quickly to squash them. That path had a big giant flashing neon ‘danger’ sign, and I needed to avoid it.
“You okay?” Candace whispered, leaning over while keeping her attention on Flynn.
“I’m fine,” I muttered.
“I feel really great about what’s coming,” Flynn continued on. “You’re all really beautiful, and now that we’ve broken the ice, we’re going to have time to get to know each other a little better.”
He was so smooth, so earnest, that I almost believed him.
Whether or not I liked it, beautiful women were his specialty. A dating show might not be his regular arena, but he’d be able to handle himself. And I didn’t have a choice if I only wanted the exposure for my café.
I had to dig my heels in and play the game.
Sipping my wine, I took in all the surrounding interactions. Women slipped in and out of the room, seeking Flynn out to spend a few moments alone with him, hoping to make it through the first elimination ceremony.
“He’s really handsome, isn’t he?” Candace asked, perched next to me on the plush couch.
“Mm-hmm.”
Of course he was. He looked like he’d stepped right off the cover of Sports Illustrated and into the Sugar Plum Inn. The way he commanded a room was remarkable.
“Are you going to talk to him?”
“Do you really think it’s necessary?” I asked, scrunching up my nose.
Candace’s mouth dropped open. “Why wouldn’t you want to talk to him? You still need time with him. Anyone could go home tonight.”
“You remind me of my best friend. A lot.”
“Is that a good thing?” Her face switched effortlessly from surprised to flattered.
“Yes.”
Her words were a reminder that whatever leg up I had might not keep me here as long as I needed to be. Madison had been insistent that I needed to stay through at least three ceremonies. The longer the better, since there were only six weeks. It seemed like an eternity, but she knew how much this meant to me. I needed the exposure. My plans for the café depended on it.
Candace gasped right as the weight on the couch shifted.
“I know that look. You’re thinking about me, aren’t you?” His voice held a hint of a tease, but I couldn’t quite read the tone.
“Don’t be silly,” I replied, taking another sip from my glass. “I was thinking about Sebastian Stan.”
“I’ve gotta know.” He shifted to lean forward, his elbows now on his knees. “Is it the singing, the dancing skills, or the robot arm? Because I’m pretty good at the first two.”
The mental image of Flynn singing and dancing to“Hungry Eyes”caused me to draw in a sharp intake of breath, and once again, I choked. This time, on air.
How embarrassing.
“You know, I can cover you in bubble wrap and keep the wine away from you, but I don’t know how to protect you from air.”
As soon as I pulled myself back together, I stole a glance in his direction. He seemed to be pleased with himself, his eyes dancing, hands folded on his lap. He’d leaned back into the couch, comfortable, with one leg crossed and propped at the ankle on the opposite knee.
“I don’t need anyone’s protection.”
“So you said earlier.” He stopped for a moment, as though he were studying me, his eyes roving my face. I felt exposed, like if he looked too hard, he might see the secrets I held tight to my heart.
“Maybe you’re the one that needs protection.”
