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“This is our first night without chaos, and I have a very thorough bedtime routine. I’ve ordered you a short robe since mine are too long for you, but I do have quite the selection of face masks. Want to chat while we use them?”
“Sure.” I changed into my brand new robe, which was light pink satin with boa trim, put my hair up into a ponytail, and washed off my makeup. Staying with Bibi made this feel surreal, like we were playing dress-up. As if once I went back to my apartment, that date would be nothing but a figment of my imagination.
Was it real, or was it Hudaknocker?
Bibi had the facemasks on the kitchen table, with two standup mirrors. “Moisturizing or exfoliating?”
“Moisturizing.” I ripped open the package and applied the mask. “How often do you do these?”
“Not as often as I like. We have to talk about your makeover. You know, it’s funny. I felt like this episode would be so easy because I work so closely with both of you. But I realize I have so much to learn about both of you.”
“Tell me about it.” I sighed and checked out the little bucket of beauty products Bibi had brought out. There were moisturizers, nail oils, and eye creams.
“How are you feeling after that date? I thought it went pretty smoothly, despite a few tense moments. But I guess that will be par for the course with you too.”
“I had more fun than I expected.” I had another sip of wine. It was still warm and on the stove, so I’d helped myself to another mug. “Before we started, I worried he’d treat me like a piece of ass because I already put out. But I think he really wants this.”
Bibi nodded. “Do you?”
“I just wish I knew if these feelings were real.”
“If you want them to be, they are.” She put her hand over mine. “If a little magic is what brought you together, it’s all part of your fate.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“What if you let it be?” She rose from the table. “I must say, I’m exhausted—the start of any episode takes it out of me. I’m headed to my boudoir for my beauty sleep. You should have everything you need in your suite. Get some rest—you know what’s ahead.”
I rinsed away my mask and headed to bed. Relax? Yeah right.
Between that kiss, the date, being hidden away from the world, and of course, the relic that shall not be named, there was no way I’d fall asleep any time soon.
I picked up the phone and scrolled through social media. Something I had barely had a chance to do since I became a producer on the show. I realized how many people I hadn’t talked to afterThe Scoop with Suzanneended, contrasted with how close Bibi had stayed with everyone fromThe Real Werewivescrew.
It was nice. But a piece of me felt like I didn’t fit in here. Everyone had been great, but I still felt like I was under my mom’s shadow.
And now under the influence of the Hudaknocker.
It was all anyone was talking about—thanks to my mom. There were so many stories about it. All the people who were here hoping it would help them find their true love.
Other stories theorized Bibi had resorted to the supernatural to guarantee successful pairings.
I laughed to myself. I’d prefer that over the alternative. Tonight had been pretty great, but I couldn’t keep wondering if these feelings were caused by something outside of my control. If Bjorn was only into me because of an ancient relic.
What would happen if the spell was broken? We needed to know before we got to a place we couldn’t turn back from.
I owed it to Bjorn and all those people who’d come to town looking for love and, of course, myself, to find out what life would be like without a certain relic in our lives.
I closed the social media app, and my heart pounded as I opened my text messages. My mom’s name was right under Bibi’s.
I couldn’t believe I was doing this. Bibi would be furious. She’d told me not to contact her. But no one close to the show would ever help me do this.
Probably for a damn good reason.
I typed three words and held my breath, fully aware that I could lose everything as I hit send.
I need you.
ChapterNine
