Page 66 of Pursuing Desire

Hours later, I’m finally back in our hotel room. After the beatdown of today, I will never claim models have an easy job. When we were originally told we’d have to get some still shots for the promos, it seemed easy enough. What could be so hard about hugging Jess and smiling at the camera? Taylor assured us it wouldn’t take long and that we’d have some free time afterward.

Lies, all lies.

Jess and I just spent four grueling hours bending, posing, smiling, looking serious, and everything in between. We took photos in the hotel, on the beach, on a beach trolley, and around town. And just when we thought we were done, we had to do group shots with the other contestants. I’d rather be in a board meeting with the sharks that help run my company than do that shit again.

I think the smile I’ve been forced to wear most of the day is now a permanent fixture on my face.

And just when we thought we were done, they told us we had to do individual interviews. That took another hour for each of us. Between getting makeup and hair done, shooting the promos, and the personal interviews, the entire day is pretty much gone. This is our last day in Santa Cruz, so we’d hoped to have some time to explore more of the city. So much for that.

Jess is still in her interview, so I’m trying to catch up on some work that’s been piling up in my absence. Though my brothers are handling most of my duties, there are some things they can’t do. However, my overflowing inbox of over three hundred emails is going to have to wait until another time.

I’m supposed to be meeting Jess in the hotel bar in a few minutes, and I don’t want to be late.

Even though we spent the entire day together, I’m looking forward to seeing her again. Most of our time together has been in the presence of other people. It’ll be nice to have a quiet evening with Jess. Taylor said she wouldn’t be following with a camera this evening, so it really will be just the two of us.

Eager to see Jess, I go ahead and shut down my laptop and make my way downstairs.

The bar area is toward the front of the hotel. I feel my mood lifting the closer I get to where Jess is, hopefully already waiting for me.

The bar area is dimly lit. Though it’s early, there are surprisingly quite a few patrons at the bar. There is only one bartender, a young guy, and he is busily making drinks and chatting with the few people sitting on barstools.

I scan the room, taking in the flirty couples, the women and men, the waitress. I don’t see Jess waiting at the bar, nor do I see her sitting at any of the booths that occupy the left side of the room. I walk over to a barstool, intending to sit down and wait for Jess, when I notice a few additional booths tucked into the back corner of the room.

There’s a familiar curly head peeking over the top of the booth. She’s facing away from me, but I’d know that hair from anywhere.

As I make my way toward her, I notice she’s not alone.

Curious, I slow my steps once I get close enough to hear the conversation.

“I flew all the way out here to be with you. That’s how important you are to me,” says an unfamiliar male voice.

“I can’t discuss this with you now. You need to leave,” Jess says in a low, hushed voice. “Please go.”

Mystery solved. This must be the infamous Anthony.

My feet stop moving. I’m standing right behind the booth, and I don’t know whether I should confront them or turn around and walk away. From the panic I detect in her voice, it’s obvious Jess is trying to get the man out of the booth before I arrive. She doesn’t want to be seen with him.

She doesn’t want me to know they’re back together.

Anthony puts his arm around Jess, and she lets it stay there.

A freight train of emotions comes at me. Anger, fear, sadness, regret. The biggest emotion of them all . . . rage. Red, hot, searing rage.

I put my life on hold for her. I did the damn game show for her. But, worst of all, I was beginning to think I had feelings for her. And all along, she’s been playing me. She’s been stringing me along until she could get back together with that little prick, Anthony.

I know I should tuck my tail and slink off without causing a scene. That’s what any decent person would do when confronted with this situation. After all, Jess and I are just fucking. We aren’t even dating. We don’t have any ties to each other. If she wants to go back to that asshole, who am I to stop her? Still, she could’ve at least been honest with me about the situation.

Yeah, for sure, a decent person would just walk away.

Who ever said I was decent?

I force my feet to move forward, and I paste an I-don’t-give-a-damn smile on my face. As I slide into the booth across from the happy couple, I hear a sharp indrawn breath from Jess.

Yeah, you’re busted.

“Well, isn’t this cozy? Mind if I join?” I ask in the most pleasant voice I can muster.

Anthony’s eyes dart to mine, and he leans forward menacingly. He rests his puny elbows on the table and glares at me. “Who the hell are you? Why are you sitting at my booth?”