Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Lyn
Chapter 2: Charles
Chapter 3: Lyn
Chapter 4: Charles
Chapter 5: Lyn
Chapter 6: Markus
Chapter 7: Lyn
Chapter 8: Dawson
Chapter 9: Lyn
Chapter 10: John
Chapter 11: Lyn
Chapter 12: Brando
Chapter 13: Lyn
Chapter 14: Adrian
Chapter 15: Lyn
Chapter 16: Anders
Chapter 17: Lyn
Chapter 18: Charles
Chapter 19: Lyn
Seven Roses: Reverse Harem Romance
Kelli Callahan
Published by Kelli Callahan Books, 2017.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
SEVEN ROSES: REVERSE HAREM ROMANCE
First edition. October 29, 2017.
Copyright © 2017 Kelli Callahan.
Written by Kelli Callahan.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter 1: Lyn
Chapter 2: Charles
Chapter 3: Lyn
Chapter 4: Charles
Chapter 5: Lyn
Chapter 6: Markus
Chapter 7: Lyn
Chapter 8: Dawson
Chapter 9: Lyn
Chapter 10: John
Chapter 11: Lyn
Chapter 12: Brando
Chapter 13: Lyn
Chapter 14: Adrian
Chapter 15: Lyn
Chapter 16: Anders
Chapter 17: Lyn
Chapter 18: Charles
Chapter 19: Lyn
The End
Bonus Content – Small Town Seven
Bonus Content – Seven is my Lucky Number
Bonus Content: Mr. Mountain Sample
Bonus Content: Mr. Mistake Sample
Chapter 1: Lyn
“You’re getting what!?” My eyes dropped down to the enormous rock on my best friend’s hand.
“I’m getting married!” Jessica lifted her hand and the diamond sparkled in the light.
“How? Who?” My eyes bulged out of my head. “You aren’t even dating anyone!”
“You’re right, I’m not dating anyone.” She winked. “I’m engaged to Sullivan Banks.”
Sullivan Banks—the professional football player—starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Dragons?
“You didn’t answer how...” My eyes continued to bulge as the reflection of the light made the jewel glisten with a kaleidoscope of grandeur.
“We met a few weeks ago at a party. I guess he liked what he saw—and he likes what I do when we’re alone.” Her tongue traced her lips.
“Enough to marry you? Clearly I’m doing something wrong...” I let out a sigh, but my eyes wouldn’t leave her beautiful ring.
I was backstage with Jessica at Seven Roses, a dating show that she was supposed to be appearing on as a contestant. It was a speed dating show where every week the lucky contestant went through seven different eligible guys who agreed to date them, and when it was done, they were supposed to choose one as their boyfriend. It had become a ratings juggernaut and Jennifer was their first celebrity contestant. They had been promoting her for weeks and the number of applications they received broke their website multiple times. Jennifer was beautiful, but she had never really dated anyone seriously—as far as I knew, the show was just a way for her to keep landing roles on popular sitcoms—possibly even raise her asking price. The diamond on her finger suggested she was not only off the market, but she wasn’t going to be able to appear on the show at all. I was supposed to be there for emotional support while she ran through her lines, but after she dropped the engagement bombshell on me, I wasn’t sure why we were there at all.
“We’re ready for the first promotional shot.” The door opened and a man I didn’t recognize poked his head inside.
“I already told you!” Jessica’s voice raised considerably. “I’m not here for a promotional shot, I want to talk to Charles Montgomery!”
“Right...” The man pulled his head away from the door and closed it quickly.
“Is he here?” I looked at her and felt a bit of giddiness in my stomach. “I like him.”
“He’s just like every other asshole on television. Don’t expect the guy you see every week hosting Seven Roses to walk through the door. He’s not like that when he’s not in front of the camera.” She sat back down in her chair and stared at the door like she was ready to eviscerate anyone who disturbed her again that wasn’t Charles Montgomery.
Charles Montgomery was a legend. Seven Roses wasn’t the first television show he had hosted, but it had become his most popular one ever. For five seasons he had united lonely women with hot, delicious men. Most of the women who faithfully watched the show—and a few men—actually liked Charles Montgomery better than most of the male contestants. He always interjected himself into the conversations and would generally humiliate any of the guys that seemed to be there only for sex. I wanted to be there for Jessica, but the chance to meet him in the flesh made me more excited than her engagement.
We were in the backstage room for nearly an hour before I heard some commotion outside. I recognized his voice before he ever made it to the door. He sounded angry, yelling at random people as his voice got closer to the door. It definitely wasn’t the kind sharp-witted voice I was used to when I watched him on television every week. When the door opened and he stepped inside, the warm smile I had grown accustomed to was replaced by an angry scowl that looked like it could set someone on fire if he focused his attention on them—and his attention was directly on Jessica.
“What the fuck is this shit I’m hearing? You’re not going to go on the show because you got engaged? That is a breach of your fucking contract.” His words came out in a violent burst that caused his face to turn red.
“I came here to tell you in person.” Jessica stood up. “I’m not hiding behind my lawyers—which will be my next step if your tone doesn’t change.”
“Jessica...” He relaxed his tone, but his scowl remained plastered on his face. “Surely we can work this out. We don’t have to tell anyone you’re engaged. Do you know how many guys applied to be on the show with you?”
“I’m not getting caught up in a scandal. Besides, when this show airs, I’ll already be married.” She held out her engagement ring with a smile.
“Seriously?” My eyebrows shot up. “When is the wedding?”
“Who the fuck is this?” Charles turned his attention to me as if he was just realizing I was in the room. “We don’t allow guests backstage.”
“Sorry, I can go.” I reached for my purse.
“No, she’s not leaving,” Jessica took a step forward, “until she leaves with me. I need you to cancel the contract so I can get a press release together. I’m going to announce my engagement and my regrets about not appearing on Seven Roses at the same time.”
“Fucking shit!” His tone raised again and he threw his arms out in frustration. “I have a camera crew here, I have all the promotional material lined up, and I’ve even chosen the guys that are going to be on the show!”
“I’m sorry.” She let out a sigh, showing her first sign of actual remorse. “I didn’t expect this to happen. I signed up with the best of intentions, but I can’t really go through with it now that my circumstances have changed.”
“Fuck it...” Charles turned to the door. “I’ll figure it out, just get the hell out of here.”
“Thank you.” She smiled and picked up her pur
se. “Come on, Lyn.”
“Yeah...” I followed her towards the door, taking one last look at Charles Montgomery’s scowl.
CHARLES MONTGOMERY was definitely not the man I saw on television every week. I wasn’t sure anyone would actually watch the show if they saw that side of him. Jessica stayed a step ahead of me as we walked outside and after a brief goodbye, she was whisked away in her limousine. She didn’t offer me a ride, but I was used to it. Jessica’s celebrity status had left the rest of the world in the dust. She still called me when something came up and I followed along like the puppy I had become. It didn’t used to be like that. We used to be closer than sisters.
It was getting cold in Chicago and I stared at my phone waiting for my Uber to arrive as I paced outside the Seven Roses studio, trying to walk off some of the chill. I hadn’t worn a heavy jacket and that decision was definitely a bad one. I was ready to get back to my apartment and drown the day in wine. It was how most of my interactions with Jessica ended. She was a reminder that my attempt at landing television roles was nothing but a failed endeavor while she was the starlet of Chicago. The odds weren’t in my favor. Two girls from the South Side—both of us making it? That wasn’t even rational.
I heard a door slam and I looked over my shoulder to see Charles Montgomery exiting the building. He took a moment to adjust his coat and then walked out onto the sidewalk.
“I’m sorry Jessica can’t do your show.” I looked over at him, just trying to break the ice instead of standing awkwardly next to him.
“Fuck it.” He grunted and shook his head. “That is what happens when you deal with celebrities. There’s a reason we don’t normally have them on the show.”
“She was really excited when she told me about it.” I let out a sigh. “She always does seem to stumble and fall into all of her hopes and dreams though.”
“That’s funny.” He chuckled and his scowl turned to a bit of a smile—similar to the one I was used to seeing every week. “Who is she marrying anyway?”
“Sullivan Banks.” I shrugged and tilted my head. “I’m sure you know who that is.”
“Yeah, he threw five touchdowns the last time he was in Chicago. This will be the second time he cost me a fuck-ton of money.” Charles looked at his watch. “Where the hell is my driver?”
“Probably with mine...” I looked down at the Uber app on my phone.
“You have a driver? Are you on television? I don’t think I’ve ever seen your work.” He turned his body towards me and looked me over as if he was trying to place me.
“Me?” I laughed and shook my head. “No, the only time I’ve ever been on television was when I got killed two seconds after my first appearance on a zombie show. They didn’t even let me be a zombie.”
“That’s a shame.” The edge of his mouth twisted slightly. “Can you act?”
“I mean...” My cheeks flushed redder than the chill was making them. “I like to think that I can.”
“Hmm.” He tapped his foot and looked back at the building. “How would you like to take Jessica’s place on Seven Roses?”
What—is he serious?
“I’m sorry, what did you say?” I heard him, but my brain needed to hear it again.
“I’m serious.” He tilted his head again. “I have a crew inside and they’re getting paid whether we shoot some promotional shots or not. It’ll take me a week to line up another guest and if we had someone we could promote when we announce Jessica’s departure, it would make the whole thing go over a lot better.”
“You are serious.” My mouth fell open in shock as I tried to collect my thoughts. “Don’t I have to audition?”
“You’re an actress, right?” He motioned towards the building. “Your next gig is right through those doors.”
Holy shit!
“Um...” My feet didn’t even want to move. My legs were practically numb with pure excitement. “Okay!”
“WE’RE BACK IN BUSINESS boys.” Charles Montgomery returned to the group that was starting to pack up their things. “Get your shit unpacked, I’m paying you for the whole day!”
The next few hours were painful. A couple of women took me to a dressing room where my jeans and t-shirt were replaced with a long red dress I could barely walk in. My feet were squeezed into a pair of shoes that made them cramp. After that ordeal, I was sent to a chair where two women started putting on my makeup. It felt like they were carving up my face as their brushes slid across my skin. A man with a British accent started working on my hair, turning my straight blonde mop into a frizzy mess that sort of resembled curls. When the trio was finished, I didn’t even look like myself anymore. My face felt heavier than it did when they spread all the fake blood on me for my appearance on the zombie show. They seemed pleased with their work and after carefully helping me to my feet, they took me to a studio where I was put on a stool while lights flashed from every direction.
The photographers were relentless, yelling out instructions and telling me which way to shift. My body didn’t even bend some of the directions they wanted it to go, but they weren’t satisfied until they got what they considered the perfect shot. Charles Montgomery walked in after they had been splattering me with light for what seemed like an eternity.
“Come on, you ruined her!” His tone was so loud the guys nearly cowered in fear. “I wanted a beautiful girl that didn’t look like she was made out of spare doll parts! This is the exact opposite of that!”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Montgomery.” One of the makeup artists ran to my side and grabbed me by the arm. “We’ll fix this immediately.”
“You fucking better.” He shook his head angrily as I was whisked back towards the dressing room.
Chapter 2: Charles
Seven Roses had become a source of nothing but grief in my life. When I signed on to host it, I never imagined it would blow up like it did. After one season as a host, they offered me the chance to produce in addition to my regular duties. They were so pleased with my work that they pretty much let me run the whole thing after that. I was making more money than I knew what to do with when my voice spilled into the middle of everyone’s living room week after week, but it was exhausting. There was no off-season for me. When we matched the final girl with her boyfriend, I was right back at work preparing for the next season. I knew I was a control freak, but it was what kept the show going. If I left it to other people, we would end up pushing girls in front of the camera that looked like the abomination they had turned Lyn into.
Lyn didn’t need to be caked in makeup. She was captivating just standing on the sidewalk and that was the look I wanted to capture. She was wholesome and fun. The world needed to see that. They needed to see her smile without Botox injections or buried in Maybelline—her natural beauty would be what captured America’s heart.
“That’s more like it.” I nodded as Lyn was led back in front of the cameras.
Damn, she’s fucking gorgeous.
I trusted the crew enough to get the photography right once she was ready for the camera, so I walked back to my office which still allowed me to keep an eye on things, but allowed me to take care of some other business. I placed a call to our lawyers and got Jessica’s contract canceled. I could have pushed for a civil suit or buried her in paperwork, but it wasn’t worth it. A clean break, followed by a picture and a quote from our latest contestant would put things right in the world. It wasn’t the first time we had lost a contestant, but I hated that it had to be a celebrity.
While Lyn was still moving around for the cameras, I started looking up her information online. Normally we had an application with all the details we needed, but I could improvise. She didn’t have a criminal history—that was a good sign. Her social media accounts seemed to be pretty vanilla and there was no sign of a boyfriend or a significant other. Most of what she had uploaded was candid, along with a few glamour shots that she likely used when she was looking for work. True to her word, the only credited acting gig she had was on a zo
mbie show. I watched as the photographers finished their shoot and motioned from the doorway for Lyn to join me in my office.
“Sit down.” I pointed to a chair and walked back to my desk.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity.” She was practically radiant as she took her seat.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I narrowed my eyes at her. “There will be a lot of pressure on you and no matter which guy you choose, the people who liked the other ones are going to blow you up online.”
“So it is for real—the show? The guy I choose is someone I’ll actually date when it’s over?” Her eyes reflected a bit of hopefulness.
“Honestly?” I shrugged. “That’s up to you. There is a reason we don’t have very many follow-up episodes. It usually doesn’t work out.”
“Oh...” The hope dimmed and she looked down at my desk.
“I’m not saying it can’t, I’m just giving you a realistic expectation. You’re going to speed date seven guys and figure out which one you think has the most potential—just don’t be surprised if you only get them at their best when the camera is rolling.”
“I always wondered about that.” She sighed and shook her head. “It did seem a little too easy.”
“Tell me more about yourself.” I turned to my computer. “What kind of guys do you date?”
“Date?” Her eyes went back down to my desk. “I don’t date very much.”
“How the fuck does that happen?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “You’re beautiful. You should be swimming in dates.”
“I guess I’ll have to tell you this sooner or later because it always comes out on the show.” She bit down on her lip and chewed it nervously. “I’m a virgin.”
“Oh dear...” My shoulders slumped forward. “That never goes well.”
“I’m not saying I wouldn’t—with the right guy—I just haven’t met the right guy yet.” She kept chewing her lip and I could see it wasn’t a comfortable subject for her.
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