Page 84 of Next Time We'll Fall

“You just what?”

“I’ve gone on one date with this guy, and, well, he’s someone I’ve known for a while, and I’ve liked him for a while, and he just recently expressed that he also had interest in me, and so we went on a date. But, I mean, if this disqualifies me from being on the show, I understand.”

“No,” she says, her eyes narrowing. “In fact, we may be able to do something with this.”

“What do you mean?”

She smiles. “Is it possible this man can come in and see me?”

“Why?” I ask, my heart racing.

“I have a few questions to ask him.”

“What questions? We’ve only been on one date. It’s not serious.”

“I know, but maybe there’s a role he can have in the show.”

“Oh, trust me, he is not interested in being on a reality TV show, let alone a dating reality TV show.”

“I see,” she says, nodding slowly. “Well, think about it.”

She looks me over.

“That dress is very pretty. Very chaste.” She grins. “It’s perfect.”

“What do you mean, it’s perfect?”

“For your role in the show. The sweet small-town girl who’s not revealing everything.”

She looks over at the other side of the room, where all the influencers are dressed in their short skirts and tight tops.

“You’re going to stand out in a good way.” She grins. “I hope you’re ready for that.”

“Ready for what?”

“For fame?” she says.

“I’m not looking for fame. I just …”

“Don’t worry, Juniper. I think you’re going to think of this as an amazing opportunity. Now I want you to come outside inabout fifteen minutes. As I told you yesterday, you’re in the first set of women who will be meeting with August.”

“Okay.”

I swallow hard and head back over to Lily.

“What was that about?” Lily asks me.

I look around and lower my voice. “So, I kind of went on a date last night, and it turns out that someone saw me, and she was asking me if I was in a relationship.”

“Oh shit,” Lily says. “And what happened? Are they booting you from the show?”

“That’s what I thought was going to happen, but she said no. They still want me in the show, and I don’t understand why. She was even asking if Rafe would come in, but obviously, I told her no.”

“Who’s Rafe again?”

“It’s the guy I went on the date with.”

“Oh.” Her eyes narrow. “Oh, interesting. Maybe they’re seeing this as some drama to add to production.”