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“That would be impossible.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that, Bibi. She’s insisting she’s got the info that can bring downThe Mating Game.”
The cinnamon roll twisted itself into knots in my stomach. When I told Marissa to let her mother do her worst, I meant for her to come atme. Not my show. Too many people’s livelihoods were at stake. Not only the dozens of people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the show happen, but I also had to think about all the people in Sunset Springs who benefitted from the show being a massive success. As much as we lamented the paparazzi and the crowds whose opinions changed faster than the direction of the wind, they needed places to eat and sleep while they were here.
“I appreciate you telling me this.” I didn’t want it to seem like too much of a surprise, but Anna wouldn’t miss how tense my muscles were. “Please let me know if you hear more. I can give you my contact information.”
That could be a dangerous move too. As much as Anna made my skin look amazing, there was no telling where her allegiances lay.
“She’s planning to debut her expose about you soon. In two weeks, I think. I bet she has it on her website if not her social media sites.”
I chuckled. “That will be a very dull expose. I’ve always been an open book.”
“I hate that she’s doing this to you, Bibi. You’ve always been so kind and generous to everyone at the chalet. We’re all disgusted, but the manager says he thinks asking her to leave will cause more problems. She’s a bully, and people are giving her what she wants because they’re afraid of what she’ll do if they don’t.”
Anna didn’t say much else after that. Which was fine. She’d told me everything I needed to know. After the facial was over, I picked up my phone and looked upThe Scoop’s website.
Bibi le Bonnet is the shining star ofThe Mating Game. But our favorite fairy dragmother wasn’t always interested in happily ever after. Tune in, and Suzanne will give youThe Scoop.
At least she had the decency to use flattering pictures of me. But to the rest of it? I had a feeling where she might be going with this, and it was a distraction I did not need right now. Once I got dressed, my makeup station was set up and waiting for me. The spa offered applications, but I had a unique look and preferred to do it myself.
Once I was my spectacular self again, I threw my shoulders back and headed into the lobby. I wasn’t afraid of Suzanne Marlowe. There was no way she could make me look bad, even if she twisted our interaction into something that fit her narrative.
The lobby was quiet. Maybe a little too quiet for my liking. It was usually buzzing with activity, people coming and going. Not only wasThe Mating Gamea massive draw to Sunset Springs, but we were also in the thick of ski season. I would imagine today was a perfect day to hit the slopes.
If Suzanne and her groupies weren’t here, that meant they were somewhere else. Perhaps another story was unfolding. One that was more interesting than me.
But it didn’t change my plan one bit. I got another green tea, pulled out the business cards I’d collected from my fabulous new queen friends from my wallet, and started texting. A few fans of the show came over and asked for pictures, which I graciously obliged.
Suzanne would know for sure that I had been here. I wasn’t sure if it was important yet. I wasn’t playing her game. At least I wasn’t stooping to her standard operating level. But I wanted her to know that I was on to her.
I smiled to myself as I got on my motorcycle. I’d text Hannah when I got back to my cabin. This new side project would be the perfect thing to keep her busy. And it would be a way to reengage the fans who had come to Sunset Springs, hungry for additional content fromThe Mating Game.
If all went well, this could be something I did on a regular basis.
“Hello,” I called out when I got back to my cabin. Usually, I would find Marissa on the couch under a blanket, watching a movie. She loved a good binge and said she’d finally had time to catch up since becoming a contestant. I loved that. “Marissa?”
I went to her boudoir. Marissa also enjoyed a nap. But the door was open, the bed was made, and there was no sign of my roommate.
Sweet moon, please don’t let her be out with Suzanne…
I headed to the kitchen and found a note on the table. It was signed with a heart.
Went out with Bjorn. Trust us.
ChapterSeventeen
Bjorn
Hugo was in front of his many computer screens, which wasn’t unusual. But what was concerning was the frustrated sighs that kept coming from him.
My bear was going crazy. I hated leaving the mountains without the Hudaknocker last night. It left us, and the packs that had welcomed us, way too vulnerable to attack.
And there was no way I was the only one who couldn’t shake the feeling that Suzanne knew too much.
I leaned against the door frame of his office. “Making any progress?”
Hugo jumped at my question. “I can tell you a lot of places where not to find the Hudaknocker.”
