“Holy shit,” Cherylynn whispered. “I’ve never seen something like this happen before. The producers have to be shitting themselves.”
Avery glanced around for Roman, but couldn’t find him.
“The people who stay can vote one person back on, right?” one woman pointed out.
“They can. And that would bring it down to five women, all of whom I can take my time getting to know.” Beckett smiled.
“But… so you’re saying you don’t even want to give one of us a chance? You barely got to know us!” One woman slammed her champagne glass on the floor where it shattered into pieces, then she stomped away from the pool. The brunette next to her, Georgette, winced and bent down to her foot.
“I think that says all I need to know about you,” Beckett called after her.
“I… I don’t mean to interrupt,” Georgette said, “but her glass cut my foot open.”
“I’m sorry.” Beckett rushed to her side. “How bad is it? Do you need stitches?”
“Maybe. It looks deep. But let’s just finish this off. I’ll put a napkin on it for now,” Georgette said, remaining remarkably calm considering all the blood that flowed from her foot.
“She stays,” Cherylynn said, looking around at their group. They all nodded. Cherylynn cleared her throat and raised her hand. “Beckett, we’ve decided who can stay.”
“Go ahead,” Beckett said. He was crouched by the woman’s foot, pressing on it with his hand to stop the bleeding.
“I think Georgette should stay, considering she just took a piece of glass to the foot and smiled pleasantly through it all. I think that speaks of her character,” Cherylynn said.
“Good choice,” Beckett said.
Georgette beamed at their group while the rest of the women stormed off in a huff.
“I think… maybe we stay down here and have a glass of wine?” Lisette decided, eyeing the balcony above where furious voices were shouting.
“Oh yeah. You couldn’t pay me a thousand dollars to go back up those stairs right now.”
Chapter 27
The villa felt oddly empty with the smaller group that was left spread out across the rooms. Cherylynn and Avery had decided to continue sharing a room as they enjoyed each other’s company, and neither could be bothered to pack all their stuff up just to move next door.
“I wonder where he’ll take me,” Cherylynn said, racing around the room with her hands full of bikinis. It looked like a bomb had gone off; clothes were scattered everywhere and about fifteen different sandals had been tossed across the floor. Avery briefly wondered how’d she managed to even pack fifteen pairs of shoes.
“I mean, it’s an island. So there can only be so many places,” Avery pointed out. “Maybe on a boat?”
“Oh… okay, so I’ll need to plan for windy-day hair and if it gets cold on the water later.”
“I mean, I don’t actually know, Cherylynn. It was just a guess,” Avery laughed. After Beckett’s monumental decision to kick off most of the other women, the producers had met for a long meeting. Avery hadn’t realized that Roman was working with another producer on the show, but she supposed it made sense to have more than one on set. Now Beckett had decided he wanted getaway dates with each woman, including an overnight, and that prospect made her entirely too nervous. Glad that she wasn’t the first to be chosen, Avery was on standby to approve Cherylynn’s outfit choices – not that she could offer a ton of assistance.
“What does that little book of yours say for overnight dates?” Cherylynn demanded, hands on hips, one strap of her tank top sliding down her shoulder.
“Um.” Avery paged quickly through the book. “It has a couple options. But it’s underlined and stressed and highlighted here that you should wear a lot of layers and remember you’re on camera.”
“Smart. If things heat up, clothes can come off slowly. If you’re just wearing a maxi-dress, he can pull it right off and then you’re naked to the world. Separates take time and keep you more covered.” Cherylynn pursed her lips and studied the pile of clothes while Avery gaped at her.
“You’re going to sleep with Beckett?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. If I like him and the mood is right.” Cherylynn shrugged, not catching Avery’s expression. “I think that’s kind of what these dates are about.”
“But… you barely know him,” Avery pointed out.
“So? Sex is sex. I’m allowed to take my own pleasure when I feel like it. I hate the antiquated notion that men can run around and sleep with all these women and they’re just charmers or playboys, while women get labeled sluts if we do the same. I’m a modern woman, Avery. If I want to have sex with someone – someone I find attractive and think will give me pleasure, the way I demand it – then I have no qualms about taking what I want. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It just peeves me when people clutch their pearls and talk about ‘loose women.’ What about these loose men? Where’s the pearl-clutching for them?”
“I… yes, I agree. It’s certainly a misogynistic view of sex, isn’t it? I’ll admit I haven’t given it much thought of late.” Avery pursed her lips.
“Well, you’ve been on a bit of a dry spell. Self-imposed, mind you, self-imposed. I bet you couldn’t walk ten paces out that front door without finding a man who’d be willing to pleasure you,” Cherylynn said.
“Cherylynn! It’s not… I mean… it should be a shared pleasure.” Avery was kind of astounded to think about just using a man for her own pleasure. She’d cut herself off from exploring anything of that nature since her accident, and was now surprised to feel a trickle of interest pique her. Could she just… you know… let someone give her pleasure?
“If you think that a man isn’t getting pleasure from giving, then you’re picking the wrong man. They should enjoy making you happy, and you share pleasure together.”
“She’s absolutely right,” Roman said, leaning against the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest and a wicked grin on his face.
“Eeep!” Avery said and buried her face in the first thing she snatched from the bed. Unfortunately for her, it was a very red and very lacy bra.
“Especially if you wear something like that,” Roman added. “A man should put the woman first. Well, a good one, at least.”
“I knew I liked you, Roman,” Cherylynn decided. She held up two different tops. “Green or gold?”
“Gold. Metallic makes you look shimmery and decadent. Plus it shows up well on camera.”
“Thanks! I should have had you around more when I was planning out my outfits,” Cherylynn said. Avery took advantage of their momentary distraction to shove the lacy bra under a pillow and smooth the hair from her face. She wondered how long he had been listening, and felt heat flush her cheeks again.
“Well, I’m happy to provide wardrobe assistance.” Roman grinned again. “I’m here to tell you that Beckett is ready to leave. The crew is also ready.”
“Is there anything else I need to know or should prepare for?”
“No, I don’t think the date is anything too dramatic. I really think he wants to spend time getting to know you.”
“Perfect – then I should be ready.” Cherylynn surveyed the mess she’d left behind. “Sorry, Avery. This place is a mess.”
“It’s fine. I probably won’t be in here long,” Avery said. “Have fun!”
Cherylynn waved goodbye and bounced from the room.
Avery expected Roman to follow. Instead, he lounged at the door. “What are you doing with your day off?”
“Is it really a day off? As in, no cameras following me?” Avery asked, tilting her head in question at him.
“Well, if you stay here,” Roman said, nodding up to the cameras tucked in the corners of the room, “you’ll be on camera. Or anywhere on the villa. If you go offsite, you won’t be. We don’t have a large enough crew to follow everyone, and the real footage is following where Beckett goes.”
“Could I like… I don’t know, rent a s
cooter or something and tour the island? Is that allowed?”
“Of course it is. You aren’t a prisoner here. Though I’d prefer you let me drive you around in the Jeep. I’m not a fan of scooters. Have you driven one before?”
“No, I haven’t. They don’t seem too tough.” Avery dodged his offer of driving her around in a Jeep. Didn’t he have to be on production?
“They’re trickier than you think. People don’t look for scooters when they’re driving. I’ve seen a lot of nasty injuries from accidents with scooters.”
“Nope, I don’t want that. Maybe I can get a taxi or hire a car then,” Avery said. She stood, tossing a few things in her bag. She already had her bathing suit and coverup on.
“Avery, I’d like to explore the island today. Would you like to join me?”
“Aren’t you filming?”
“I’m off today,” Roman said. “We have built-in days off during filming; otherwise we burn out.”
“Oh,” Avery said, pausing, not really sure what to do. Was this a date? Just friends? Should she be going on a date with another man when she was on a dating show? How would that look to Beckett?
“Just friends, Avery,” Roman said, seeming to read her mind.
“Sure, okay, thank you. Yes, I’d love to get a chance to see more of the island,” Avery admitted.
“Great – meet me downstairs in fifteen? I just have to make a call.”
“Thank you, Roman. This is really nice of you.”
“It’s a gift to me as well. I’m getting a little stir-crazy in this house.” Roman flashed her a smile and left.
Avery whirled, grabbing her little book of outfits and flipping through until she found one labeled “island day date.” Not caring that she should probably save her look for a date with Beckett, she quickly packed her bag and changed her outfit.
Then she immediately changed back, because what would Roman think if she got herself all gussied up for him? It would look like she was trying too hard. Annoyed with herself, she grabbed her bag and left the room, excited for a friendly day out exploring.
Just friends, Avery repeated to herself, just friends.
Chapter 28
“Why are we stopping here?” Avery asked when Roman pulled the Jeep to a stop just a little bit down the road from their villa. Peering over his shoulder, she saw a sign that read “The Laughing Mermaid.” “Oh, is this Irma’s place? I’ve been wanting to see it.”
True to their word, the women of the Laughing Mermaid had made themselves available as confidants and mentors to the group, but Avery only knew of a few who had actually taken them up on their offers of help. The general consensus seemed to have been that most of the women didn’t want to be on camera next to such beauties. Avery didn’t care much about that, and had always been delighted when she’d seen any of the women. Spending time with them felt like going home – she missed her sister so much she couldn’t breathe at times, and having Irma, Jolie, and Mirra operate as a stand-in family had done wonders for her.
“It is,” Roman replied. “Want to come in?”
“Of course.” Avery was already halfway out of the vehicle. He’d taken the doors off the Jeep but had pulled the canvas top over so they still had shade.
“Come back to the kitchen,” Irma’s voice carried through the open front door.
Roman and Avery walked through a cool white-washed hallway decorated with stunning prints of the ocean, over to a large farm-style door that was rolled open. The kitchen – large, open-air, and done up in an almost Tuscan style – featured a massive wood table which dominated the room and invited people to settle in for a chat. Irma stirred something at the stove, resplendent as usual in a flowy peach dress with her hair done in braids. Jolie and Mirra – both looking like they’d stepped out of the pages of a magazine – sat at the table, carefully wrapping some cheese in butcher paper.
“I love this kitchen,” Avery declared by way of greeting. “It feels so homey. I think that’s what I don’t like about the villa we’re staying at.”
“You don’t like the villa?” Roman asked in surprise.
“Not really. It’s very cold. White on white on white. We’re in the Caribbean. Shouldn’t there be splashes of color and fun?”
“I agree. I think it’s important to infuse your decorating with some whimsy,” Mirra said, placing the cheese in a cooler.
“Do you do all your own decorating?” Avery asked.
“We do. I think the personal touch helps. Granted, we live here too. The villa you’re renting is owned by someone off-island as an investment property, so they probably designed it with what they thought was best for that. It’s just our taste, is all,” Jolie said, standing and crossing the room to pull a bottle of white wine from the fridge. She added it to the cooler.
“Where are you two off to today? Do you have a break from filming?” Irma smiled at Avery.
“I do! I mean, we do. I feel like a kid on holiday break,” Avery confessed, laughing a little. “I’m not sure where we’re going. Just to explore.”
“There’s a lovely little beach on the other side of the island with a really well-sheltered cove. I call it my swimming pool because the water is always so calm there. It might be nice for your picnic,” Irma said.
“Our picnic?” Avery turned to Roman.
“I asked the ladies to put together a hamper for us. I’ve been lucky enough to have some of their home cooking before, and I thought it would be a treat,” Roman said. He handed Irma some money, pressing a kiss to her cheek in thanks.
“Oh, let me contribute,” Avery said. She glanced back down the hallway. “But my purse is in the car.”
“It’s on me,” Roman said. “This is as much a treat for me as it is for you.”
“It’s all set then. Roman, why don’t you take this to the car?” Irma nodded at the cooler and the picnic hamper.
“I know when I’m being dismissed,” Roman laughed, and shouldered both items easily and disappeared outside.
“Do you like him?” Jolie asked immediately.
“Yeah, is this a date?” Mirra hissed, leaning to glance down the hallway to make sure Roman was out of sight.
“Girls,” Irma cautioned, wiping her hands on a rag and then leaning back to cross her arms over her chest. “Well? Is it?”
“I don’t think so. We agreed this was just as friends. We both wanted to get out and explore. I think other girls might join us too.” Avery shrugged.
“But you like him,” Jolie pressed.
“I… I don’t dislike him,” Avery said, dodging the question.
“She likes him.” Jolie tossed a swath of her black hair over her shoulder. “Smart choice. He’s great.”
“I didn’t say I liked him,” Avery said, flushing. “It would be weird of me to go on a date with another man while I was on a dating show.”
“Would it? I don’t think any of these women are really in it to find love,” Mirra said. “In fact, I don’t think Beckett actually is either.”
“Maybe not, but wouldn’t it be disingenuous of me to not even try?” Avery wondered.
“Well, sure. I mean, go on your date with Beckett and see if you like him, but I think you already know how you feel about him – unless I’m reading you wrong?” Jolie narrowed her eyes at Avery and Avery felt a wave of… something pulse over her.
“What was that?” Avery asked, fluttering her hand a little in the air.
“Jolie’s reading you to see if you’re lying,” Mirra said easily.
“Can you do that?” Avery demanded.
“Of course I can do that.” Jolie shrugged.
“Girls, you’re flustering Avery. That’s enough,” Irma said, and then came to stand in front of Avery. “Don’t worry about what they say; they’re just in love with love. They want everyone to be happy.”
“Tell that to the women on the show who are jealous of them,” Avery laughed.
“Simple women. They need to learn when to make allies and whe
n to not be judgmental,” Jolie sniffed.
“Enjoy your day, Avery.” Irma raised her hand and made a motion to the door. “Don’t put too much pressure on this. Or yourself. Be young. Have fun. See how you feel once the day is over. Just remember that nothing matters but love.”
“Why do you keep saying love? I’m just… I don’t know, I’m just here. I’m exploring. I’m having fun with a friend today,” Avery griped.
“That word scares her,” Mirra said to Jolie.
“It does. But that’s okay. She’ll be ready when she’s ready,” Jolie replied, as if Avery wasn’t even there.
“I’m going to go now,” Avery decided.
“Have fun today. We want full details.” Mirra smiled her angelic smile at Avery, and she found it impossible not to grin back.
“Has anyone ever told you two that you’re trouble?” Avery asked.
“Only the best kind.” Jolie winked.
“I don’t doubt it.”
Chapter 29
“Oh, let’s stop there.” Avery pointed at a cheerful hut by the water. Its door was thrown open and the shutters on the windows were painted all different colors.
“Yes, ma’am,” Roman said, pulling the Jeep into the gravel lot next to the hut. They’d cruised the island for a little while, the radio playing music when it caught the signal, but hadn’t spoken much. Avery found that she didn’t mind riding in silence with Roman; it was nice not to have to fill every second with chatter.
“Oh, it’s like a little gallery,” Avery said. “Cool. Maybe we’ll find some art.”
“Do you like to pick up art when you travel?”
“I haven’t been traveling much in the past few years, but yeah, I used to. Who needs a t-shirt that’ll just get tossed in the back of a closet? I much prefer picking up some local art to remember the area by,” Avery said. She didn’t see the questioning look Roman gave her as she walked in the door of the gallery.
A Good Chance (The Siren Island Series Book 3) Page 16
