Page 86 of Most Eligible
I jerk my head around to look at him, then slide off his lap. That sounded more like Lainey ventriloquizing through Roland than anything he’d come up with.
Serena barely bats an eye as she answers. “Georgia’s definitely ready to settle down,” she says as every fiber of my body screams the opposite. “Even though her parents messed her up a bit, she knows how to have a real relationship.”
“I—” I try to interrupt, to point out that I’mright hereand they can stop talking about me in the third person, but Serena isn’t done.
“I think trust is what Georgia struggles with the most,” she says. “Knowing who to trust and when, since her dad basically destroyed her trust by leaving.”
I gape at her. “He didn’tleave,” I protest, even though middle school me had felt quite differently. “They—they split up. They separated.”
“Right.” Serena shrugs. “But you barely saw him. You didn’t live with him anymore.”
“That’s how divorce works,” I say through gritted teeth. I don’t know why I’m defending my parents now, since I’ve exploited their breakup for the cameras before, but they’remyparents. Serena has no business attacking them. She didn’t even know me back then.
“They were trying their best,” I say more calmly. “And sometimes…” I look out over the sparkling ocean, then back at the others. My eyes find Rhett’s. “Sometimes relationships have an expiration date. Sometimes divorce is the best option—for everyone involved. I wouldn’t have wanted them to stay married if they were unhappy.”
Rhett gives me a ghost of a smile as Serena turns to him. “What do you think about that, Rhett?” she asks. “I know you have a little experience with divorce yourself.”
Rhett nods, and I get a sour taste in my mouth.
“Serena,” I interrupt, “why don’t we have a private chat?” I pull her to her feet before anyone can step in. “I have so much to tell you.”
Too late, I remember that the cameras will follow us.
Serena and I settle on a bench on the other side of the sailboat.
“I can tell you like Roland so much,” she says, clasping my hand. “And the way he looks at you? He’s completely in love. Have you told him yet?”
I blink at her, shocked by how effortlessly she’s playing into the narrative of the show. She’d be so much better in my place.
“No, not yet. It just hasn’t been the right time.”
She nods, looking disappointed. “I’m sure you’ll find the right moment. Just make sure he knows how you feel. I know sometimes you have trouble with that.” My skin prickles at her words. They’re not untrue, but I don’t need her to explain my issues to me.
“I’m so happy for you, G. He’s such a great guy. And those biceps!” She sighs, rolling her eyes up like she’s about to faint.
The cameras cut once we’re done talking, and Jules steps forward to remove Serena’s body mic and replace the batteries on mine.
“Hang on,” she mutters. She steps away to get more batteries and for a second, Serena and I are alone.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I hiss. “Did they ask you to come?”
“A producer called me after they told your parents not to come.”
My jaw drops. “They didwhat?”
“I guess Lainey called your mom and dad and told them not to come,” Serena explains. “I figured that was what you wanted.”
I shake my head, shutting my eyes. The most unbelievable part is that after everything Lainey has done, I’m still surprised. Even though she apologized, of course she’s still out to get me. Or—to get the best content she can before she tosses me aside. But the idea that she involved my parents without my permission has my blood boiling.
“You didn’t know?” Serena asks.
I snap back to attention. “No, of course I knew,” I lie.
She visibly relaxes. “You’re a better actress than I thought—you seemed really shocked when you saw me.”
Giving a weak laugh, I place a hand on her knee. “I’m just… glad you wanted to come.”
She wiggles her eyebrows, nodding. “Think I’d pass this up after what you sent me?”
