Dandelions on the Road

by Brooke Williams

  But now, Brian had another matter on his hands. What was he supposed to do about Carlos? When the elevator doors opened on the fourth floor, Brian walked down the hall and found his room. He stuck the key card in and entered. After fumbling for the lights, he found the switch and the dim bulb illuminated the room. It wasn’t what people on the national TV show were used to, but it was efficient.

  When Brian went to the room earlier to dump his bags and change, he noticed a door near the window. His room adjoined with another, but he knew hotels often used rooms that way with people who didn’t come as a group. The doors locked on both sides so unless the occupants on either side unlocked the door in their room, no one could access the other space.

  Brian walked over to the door and placed his hand flat upon it. Was Eva over there?

  It didn’t matter. There was no way he was going to bother her tonight. He took a few steps over to the bed and sat down. It felt good to be off his feet. Being away from the news desk allowed him to sleep past dawn, but the late night hours still took a toll.

  Now that he was alone, he could think through what to do about Carlos’ conversation. He’d called someone “baby” and told the person on the other end that she was “his girl.” That couldn’t mean good things, right? Eva deserved better.

  Brian lay back on the bed with his legs hanging over the side. Maybe he should tell Mike and let him take care of it. He sighed. Eva trusted him. He was the host and he promised to look out for her. Mike would probably make Brian tell Eva on camera. At least with the information under wraps, he could protect her emotions.

  Or maybe he should just stay out of it completely. Eva was an adult and could handle herself. Surely she would see through Carlos’ façade and figure out who he was, but what if she didn’t? Brian didn’t want to see him standing beside her at the end only to break her heart.

  He sat up. He needed to sleep. He’d have to find a way to turn his mind off. Brian grabbed his toothbrush from the nearby suitcase and stood at the sink. As he brushed his teeth, he could have sworn he heard a soft knock. He ran the toothbrush under the water and turned the faucet off.

  Brian tiptoed to his door, opened it and looked up and down the hall. Empty.

  Once back inside, he shook his head. Mike’s mandate caused him to hear things, great. Just when he needed to get a good night’s sleep.

  Brian ran his hand through his hair, messing up the waves he’d put into place earlier. His hair was short enough it didn’t look much different no matter what he did to it, but when he wasn’t on camera, he liked a natural look.

  Brian cocked his ear when a light knock sounded a second time. He took a step toward the door and looked out the peephole. Still nothing. The knock came a third time and Brian realized he was at the wrong door. He bounded over to the door that adjoined his room with the one next to it and unlocked the dead bolt. He swung it open and found Eva standing on the other side.

  “I’m sorry to bother you. Were you sleeping?” she asked.

  Brian shook his head. “I just got in.” She wore a blue cotton shirt and plaid boxer shorts. Her face was clean and makeup free and her hair was tied back in a low ponytail. She was still drop dead gorgeous. “Do you need something?” Brian asked when he found his voice.

  “I can’t sleep.” Eva sighed. “Tonight was great, but this whole thing is overwhelming.”

  “I can see why you’d feel that way. I have some Tylenol PM if you want to take one. I don’t like to use sleep aids myself, but occasionally, when I know I have to get up for the morning news and I can’t force myself to sleep at 7 p.m. it’s the only thing that works.”

  “I’d appreciate that.” Eva took a step into the room as Brian rummaged through his suitcase and produced the bottle. He shook a pill into her hand and grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge under the TV.

  “Here.” He placed the drink in her other hand.

  “You promised to look out for me and you’re going above and beyond, Brian. Thank you.”

  Brian’s heart beat hard in his chest. By giving her a sleep aid and some water? That was nothing. “Do you want to sit down for a minute and talk about the day?” he asked. “It might help you to decompress and get things off your mind so you can go to sleep.”

  Eva’s face relaxed. “I was hoping you’d offer.” She threw the pill into her mouth and swallowed some water.

  Brian extended his hand to the tiny love seat wedged against the wall. It was that or the bed and he didn’t think anyone would benefit from a conversation on a bed.

  Eva sat on one cushion and Brian took the other. He smiled and laughed nervously when their knees bumped together.

  “So, what do you think of the guys?” Eva leaned back against the couch.

  “In general or tonight’s group?”

  “Yes.” Eva giggled. “I’m searching for any little thing that makes one stand out in front of the other. They’re all so different, it’s hard to compare them, you know?”

  “I can see how that would be hard.” Tell her. Tell her.

  “I mean, you’ve seen Mitch and his cowboy ways. Put him next to someone like Pete who’s much more of a manly man and you have apples and oranges.”

  “True. I think what you need to do is decide which fruit you like the best. I mean, any fruit is healthy but some has more nutrients than others for certain people.”

  Eva frowned. “What?”

  Brian slapped his knee. “I have no idea. I think the long day is starting to get to me too.”

  Eva erupted in a fit of giggles. “You should have been up there on stage with Steve.”

  “Oh please, I would have been worse than the comic he replaced.”

  “Okay, maybe you’re right,” Eva agreed.

  “Hey!” Brian threw an elbow into her ribs. He enjoyed the teasing tone. He hadn’t felt this light-hearted all day. Being with her was easy, but every time he looked in her direction, her beauty caught him off guard and his nerves took over.

  Brian watched the smile fade from her lips. She scooted forward and leaned back against the couch so her head rested on the top. She rolled her face slightly until her temple rested against his shoulder. Brian glanced down at her without moving his head. He wanted nothing more than to throw his arm around her shoulders and settle her into his side, but that would be inappropriate. He had to let her set the boundaries between them.

  “Just promise me you’ll tell me if you notice anything.” Eva’s voice sounded weary.

  “Actually…” This was the lead in Brian needed. “I did want to bring up something about Carlos.”

  “Carlos?” Eva snapped back into the upright position.

  Brian kicked himself. He should have let her relax, Carlos could wait. Too late now. “Yeah. I pulled him away for an interview after…after your time with him.” He didn’t want to admit to seeing their kiss, even though they both knew it happened. “He got a phone call.”

  “Who was it?”

  “I can’t say for sure, but I have suspicions.”

  Eva raised one eyebrow and tilted her head as she folded her arms in front of her chest. She was waiting for the rest of the story.

  Brian took a deep breath and rubbed his palms against his knees. “I think Carlos has a girlfriend.”

  “Carlos…what? Why do you think that?”

  “Well, like I said, he took that phone call and he called the person on the other end ‘baby’. And before he hung up he said something like ‘you know you’re my girl’. I don’t want to judge, but it sure sounded like he was talking to someone special.”

  Eva sucked her lips into her mouth. She didn't look happy.

  “It could have been his dog.” Brian shrugged.

  “Calling on the phone? Talented dog.”

  “Good point.”

  Eva pushed her fist into the couch on either side of her. “Why does this always happen?”

  “What do you mean?” Brian leaned forward and tried to get her to face him. Looking in
to her eyes was hard on his heart, but he needed to see her reaction to the news.

  “Carlos and I were really connecting.”

  Brian imagined the kiss. Indeed they were.

  “I thought he was a front runner that might go all the way to the end and maybe even being the one I chose, you know?”

  Brian nodded with a sympathetic look on his face.

  “When I met Ben on the first season of Accept this Dandelion I knew I had a genuine, nice guy on my hands and I thought he was the one. But then he chose someone else. It seems like every time I date someone, things take a wrong turn.”

  “It’s their loss.” Brian blurted before he could think through the implications.

  Eva turned toward him.

  “Sorry,” he said. “I just mean that obviously you’re beautiful…stunning, really. You have a kind heart and a sparkling personality. Quite honestly, I have yet to find a single thing wrong with you. Any man that doesn’t see all that is missing out.” Brian’s hands shook. He was crossing the line as the host by saying too much.

  Eva reached across the two inches that separated them on the couch and squeezed his hand. “I can tell you’re a news man.”

  Brian turned his hand and tensed when she didn’t pull away, but rather placed her palm inside his.

  “You always say the right thing at the right time. You know what you are, Mr. Brian Schaffer? A smooth talker.”

  Brian smiled. “I’m not running lines here.”

  “I know.”

  Eva leaned back into the couch and settled her head onto Brian’s shoulder, but didn’t release his hand.

  “Do you remember who Carlos is rooming with?” she asked.

  Brian searched his brain. “Owen, I think.”

  “Perfect.” The sleepy tone returned to her voice. “I’ll take care of him in the morning.”

  Brian wondered what she had in mind. If she wanted to tell him, she would. He was there for her and she knew it. She came to him through their adjoining door so he would let her decide when their time together ended.

  As the silence permeated the air, Brian marveled at the feel of her palm against his. Her body relaxed next to him and her breathing evened, but his felt more ragged than ever. He stared at their hands joined together on his leg.

  Brian craned his neck and glanced down at the top of her head. He tilted his cheek ever so slightly until his chin touched her hair. It was as soft as he expected and it smelled like oranges. Brian rolled his eyes. What was he doing? He was being borderline creepy! If she stirred enough to notice he was sniffing her hair, she’d go back to her room and lock the door in a flash.

  Eva’s head was heavy. She was asleep. Brian pulled his cheek away. Sleep no longer mattered. He had the woman of his dreams beside him. He didn’t need to sleep to see her.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  EVA JERKED AWAKE. Where was she? She was sitting up, not lying in her bed and her palm was warm. She looked down and frowned. She was holding someone’s hand. Her eyes traveled up the arm and over the man’s Adam’s apple. When she reached Brian’s slack features, it all came back to her.

  She hadn’t wanted to disturb him that late, but she needed a friend. He was the best one she had as far as the show was concerned. She’d fallen asleep on his shoulder. Surely that wasn’t in his job description. Must allow bachelorette to drool on your shirt. Eva snorted. Brian closed his gaping mouth, but didn’t open his eyes.

  Eva rolled her head from side to side. Brian had to be uncomfortable. At the very least, he’d be sore in the morning. His head sat at a ninety-degree angle and rested against the back of the couch. She felt guilty for forcing him into that position. She studied his features. Even in sleep, the dimple was still in his cheek. He was a handsome man and single too, unlike Carlos…allegedly.

  Eva gently pulled her hand from Brian’s palm and wrestled with herself. Should she wake him? He’d be more comfortable in his bed, but she didn’t want to disturb his sleep.

  She squinted at the clock across the room until the numbers came into focus. Only half an hour before their wake up calls. She stood and tiptoed from the room. “Good night,” she whispered as she closed the door behind her.

  THE SHRILL PHONE rang and Brian’s eyes flew open. He pulled his head from the couch and immediately regretted it. He was going to feel that position for a while. The phone rang a second time as Brian got to his feet and grabbed it.

  “Hello?”

  “Good morning, Mr. Schaffer. This is the front desk with your wake up call.”

  “Thank you.” Brian hung up and massaged his neck. He glanced at the door that led to Eva’s room. His side stood wide open, but hers was closed. She must have sneaked out some time after he fell asleep. It was for the best. His feelings for her were growing and he didn’t want any awkwardness. Saying good night after the extended time they shared would have made them both uneasy.

  Brian let his hand fall to his side as the phone in the room next to his rang. Eva picked up quickly and Brian heard her muted voice through the wall. She was awake.

  Time to get ready. He needed to shower, dress for a day at the amusement park, and put on his hosting face. It was time to find the man of Eva’s dreams, even if he was more sure every day she was the woman of his.

  EVA CLOSED THE door to her room and met Mike and the assigned crewmembers down the hall in the small, fourth floor lobby.

  Mike began giving orders as soon as Eva arrived. “Okay, Eva wants Owen, Harris and Cane on today’s date. Harris and Cane are in the same room and Owen is with Carlos. So we’ll go to the two rooms and Eva can wake the bachelors. Everyone ready?”

  The crew shuffled their feet and checked their equipment in reply.

  “Ready Eva?” Mike asked.

  She looked over her shoulder. She was hoping Brian would join her for this.

  “Schaffer, you’re late.”

  “Sorry.” Brian approached from the other end of the hall. He rubbed his neck and Eva smiled.

  “Let’s go get Cane and Harris first since they’re together.” Mike turned and the crew followed him down the hall to the stairs. Eva dropped to the back of the group next to Brian.

  “How’s your neck?” she asked in a hushed tone.

  “It’s been better. Yours?”

  “You make a good pillow.” Eva held Brian’s eyes.

  Brian forgot his own name. When she looked at him, everything else fell away.

  “Watch out!” Eva warned.

  Brian broke the spell between them and side stepped the door to the stairs. The side of his face almost joined his neck in the pain department. He blushed. “Guess I didn’t get enough sleep last night.”

  She winked at him and stepped through the open door.

  The group went down to the third floor and Mike slid a key card into the first lock on the left. Once accepted, he quietly opened the door and Eva tiptoed into the room with a camera hot on her heels. Brian stood in the hallway and observed.

  Eva placed herself between the two double beds and got down on her knees. She put her right hand on Harris’ arm and her left hand on Cane’s head. “Good morning, gentleman.”

  Harris popped up into a seated position while Cane blinked the sleep away.

  “Hey, beautiful,” Cane said.

  “Would you two like to join me at Adventureland this morning?”

  “Let’s go.” Harris stood.

  “I was hoping you’d ask,” Cane replied.

  “Take a few minutes to shower and get dressed.” Eva backed up to the end of the bed. “We’ll leave in an hour.”

  The men nodded and Eva reveled in their shocked expressions. Harris looked much like always, but Cane’s hair was tousled and adorable. Waking them up was a good call.

  Back in the hall, Mike was all business. “Okay, Owen’s next.” He referred to a chart on the clipboard and led them to a room three doors down. He slid another key card into the door handle and silently pushed it open.

  Eva squ
inted in the darkness of the room, letting her eyes adjust. She knew Owen’s location immediately because his long legs hung over the end of the first bed. She walked over and gently shook the mattress.

  “Owen,” she called in a singsong voice. “Owen.”

  Owen rolled over and wiped the back of his hand across his lips, muttering something unintelligible.

  “Owen,” Eva tried again a little louder.

  “Hey there,” Carlos called from the other bed. He propped himself up on his elbow as Eva approached. When his face came into focus, she saw red. She had to keep her anger in check.

  “I’ve missed you since last night,” Carlos whispered.

  “Oh really?” Eva crouched between the beds and matched his tone. “Well, I’m glad to see you too. An urgent message came in for you.”

  “Huh.” Carlos frowned. “Someone called the hotel?”

  “You should probably check in with your girlfriend.” Eva watched closely to judge his reaction.

  “Bella?” Carlos sat up in the bed. “Is everything okay? Is she hurt?”

  Eva stood and shook her head. “I’m sure she’s fine, but you need to get back to her as soon as possible. Be sure to tell her she’s dating a two timing jerk.”

  Carlos sat stone still. “Bella didn’t call?”

  Eva shrugged. “I don’t know and I don’t care. I’m going to wake Owen and take him to the amusement park. You need to be gone when we return.”

  A clap exploded from the hallway followed by a harsh shushing noise. Carlos pulled his sheet up around him. Eva turned back to Owen, satisfied that Carlos took the hint. She wouldn’t be seeing him again.

  “Owen.” Eva sat on the side of his bed and bounced. “Owen.” The man slept like the dead. Eva pushed her fingers into his thick, curly hair. The curls were coarse. Enough was enough; she’d tried the gentle approach. She tugged on his hair once and then a second time. “Wake up,” she demanded with a third sound yank.