Love 'Em or Leave 'Em (4 page)

"Ladies, I trust you all enjoyed your opportunity to talk privately with Luke for a few minutes and make your best impressions," he said in his I'm-a-seriousjournalist voice. "Luke, are you ready?"

Luke nodded, giving Clay the once-over. He couldn't seem to take his eyes from Clay's spiked and highlighted hair. It stood straight up from all the product. He probably hired a highly paid person just to do his hair. What a waste of money.

"You may now begin the rose ceremony."

The electricity-charged atmosphere intensified. The air thickened with anticipation as each woman put on her game face. Some stood with overconfident looks while others gave pleading looks, as though sad, begging eyes would win his favor.

"Pk...pk...pk..."

What on earth was that noise? Ashley glanced to her left, sure she'd see a camera with one of its gizmos whirring.

The woman beside her stood, fists clenched, her features stretched into a mask of frightening intensity, muttering "Pick me, pick me, pick me ..."

A brassy blond from the first row whipped her head around, smile dissolving into a snarl. "Shush" Her smile returned and she notched it to dazzling as she faced forward.

Ashley reached over and took the nervous woman's fist in her hand. "It's okay," she whispered. The tight knot of fingers relaxed a little.

Ashley tried to focus on the stucco wall behind Luke's head and look as uninvolved as possible without calling attention to herself. If she could make herself unnoticeable, he wouldn't pick her. It was like sitting right next to the teacher at school. If they couldn't easily see you, they would never call on you.

She really wanted off, but her promise to Kelli dictated she stay.

And so it began. Luke announced names one by one. Each time the woman he named stepped forward, he asked her if she would accept the rose. Of course, each said yes. Lindsey, Kate, Jenny ... The names kept going. Then he said Rachel and Liz. It made her happy to see her two new friends make the cut. She could only think, I'll finally be able to get out of these toe-crunching shoes soon.

Gwen, the "pick me" girl, Melissa, Meg ... As Luke got down to the last three roses he took more time. Perhaps he couldn't remember everyone's names, or maybe he just didn't know who to pick.

The remaining women tried not to look desperate while the cameras rolled and perspiration collected on their faces. While these women wished to stay in, Ashley prayed to get out. Almost there, almost free. Just a couple more roses and she could begin putting her life together again and try to figure out how to make Kelli pay her back for this one.

The ceremony dragged on forever as the producer kept stopping and starting to get different angles and correct the lighting. Ashley was exhausted. Her eyelids drifted shut. Sleep deprivation was not good for her. She began to daydream, that or sleep standing up. Only a few more names.

"Ashley."

Everyone looked at her. Rachel and Liz waved their hands in an attempt to get her attention. One edge of Luke's mouth tilted up as he eyed her across the room.

He repeated her name, but this time as a question, "Ashley?"

Ashley stood frozen. Panic rushed through her veins.

Luke stared. His eyebrows scrunched together.

"Oh geez, I'm sorry," she said as she stepped forward, embarrassed.

"No problem. You don't have to take it if you don't want to," he teased as he held the rose out of her reach.

Ashley replied with a big smile, "Okay," and began to turn away.

Before she turned even halfway, Luke reached out and took her arm for the second time that night and held her in place.

"Will you accept this rose?"

She paused, then shrugged. "Oh, why not?"

She took the rose from Luke's powerful hand and looked up to see him grinning, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. She couldn't help but grin back. Ashley stepped to the side with the other "winners" Liz and Rachel gave her the thumbs-up. They'd all made the first big cut from twenty-five down to fifteen.

Each of the "rejects" said good-bye to Luke on their way out. Then Clay brought out the champagne and everyone toasted the new adventure. Ashley found herself in great spirits after all. It had been an exhausting day and an interesting evening. Thankful she'd met two great women who would be joining her on the next leg of the show, she hoped they would also help buffer her from the insanity.

Bright morning light shone through the windows, mercilessly breaking through Ashley's exhausted sleep. No matter which way she rolled over or how she held the pillow over her head, the sun snuck through and annoyed her into wakefulness.

The background noise of distant squealing, shouting, and feet running past the door and down the stairs broke through her stupor. The cobwebs in her mind began to clear as she lay in bed somewhere between sleep and wakefulness. She was not at home in her own bed. She hadn't lost her job, and she didn't face eviction. She was in a huge house. No, a mansion, with strange women running around and squealing like ten-year-olds.

"Ashley, get up" Liz pounded on the door as she passed by.

Ashley flung the pillow off her head and opened her eyes. Along with the bright sunlight, it all came flooding back. She had slept in a mansion along with a bunch of women she didn't know. She was posing as an eligible woman who wanted desperately to land the bachelor, none other than hottie quarterback Luke Townsend.

No, no! She was trying to sneak her way off the show, take her quickie paycheck, and find a respectable job.

Ashley glanced around the room. Luckily, Liz and Rachel had tugged her along with them when rooms and roommates were picked, so she didn't have to feel alone.

The fourth girl in the room was Gwen. Tired and overwhelmed by the time they found their room, Ashley had simply nodded hello and collapsed into bed, exhausted.

Looking around the small space, true reality began to sink in. During the rush for the best room, Ashley had stepped aside to avoid the stampede. The ones with views of the ocean or pool areas were taken quickly. This room was small. Four single beds filled it. Three had probably been added for the show. Two small dressers sat between the beds on each side. Terracotta-colored tile with bright Spanish-style hand-woven throw rugs covered the floor. There was a small desk in one corner and an oversized potted ficus tree in the other. A tiny excuse for a closet completed the space. The one redeeming quality was a small balcony holding two chairs and a tiny table. Off the side of the house opposite the pool area, the balcony's view mostly showed the driveway and parking circle, but also some palm trees and greenery. Very nice.

The door swung open and Rachel popped her head in. "Come on, you're missing it! The first mail arrived and there's a date tonight."

Ashley gave her a fake look of excitement. "Oh goody!"

"Hurry up," Rachel said, and disappeared.

Here we go, Ashley thought. She pulled herself out of bed and tried to put on her I'm-so-excited-to-behere face.

Downstairs, chaos reigned. Bouncing, happy girls clad in little more than tank tops and panties filled the great room. With bronzed legs and long hair everywhere, it looked like a Victoria's Secret slumber party. Ashley glanced down at her pale, sun-starved skin and pulled her baggy T-shirt a little lower.

Tami, the tall brunet who'd worn the dress with the slit a mile high the night before, held the letter and waved it every few seconds. Her tiny midriff top exposed a pierced belly button and showed off its large ruby-colored stone. Tami's thick, dark mane had a gorgeous natural wave. It was hair to-die-for. Each time she raised the date letter in the air more shrieks erupted. The producer stood off to the side, yelling over the noise, "Wait until the cameras are in place" Finally, he gave the thumbs-up and Tami tore open the envelope and read the enclosed message out loud:

Screams again filled the room. A few moans and groans came from those left out, particularly Tami, who pouted as she handed off the note as soon as she saw her name wasn't on it.

Liz and Ashley rushed over to Rachel to bask in the glow of her excitement.

"Oh my gosh!" she cried. "I can't believe I'm on the first date. He likes me. This is unreal. Do you think he picked me?" She was flushed. "Do you think he likes me? He is so good-looking! What will I wear?"

They laughed at her nervousness. Last night Rachel had acted as though the whole thing didn't matter. She wanted to fund her next exotic trip, not win the man of the hour, and certainly not gush over some macho jock.

"Whatever you do, wear heels," Liz said, looking down at Rachel's petite five feet two inches. She patted her head. "He'll never see more than the top of your head if you don't"

"Don't worry, you'll look great whatever you wear," Ashley added. "You're the cutest thing in this room. You're gonna knock 'em dead"

"Great, you make me sound like a kitten, not a hot date," said Rachel, shaking her head.

Two hours later the lucky ladies waited for their date. Luke arrived in a sporty SUV limo. Dressed in khaki cargo shorts, a cream-colored golf shirt, and Tevas, he looked pretty amazing for a guy who wasn't trying. He smiled and waved at all the wallflowers as he opened the door for his dates. The three women fought for position while trying to act as if they were casually waiting for Luke.

One at a time, he took each by the hand and guided her into the limo. Rachel smiled demurely. Jenny went next. She didn't let him just take her hand-she walked right into his arms and gave him a squishy hug and what looked like a big wet smooch on the cheek. Yuck.

Shelby entered last and batted her baby blues as he took her hand. In her Southern drawl she crooned, "I just can't wait to get to know you a whole lot better, sugar." She leaned into him as she got in the limo and gave him a great view of her generously proportioned, store-bought bosom.

Luke wore a goofy smile as he climbed into the vehicle. It looked to Ashley like he thought, "Me too, honey, me too"

As the limo pulled away, the group left behind yelled good wishes and waved good-bye. Shelby leaned out the window and waved. "See you all later."

Standing there on the front steps of the mansion, the remaining twelve watched the limo drive down the manicured lane to the distant street. Ashley was relieved to see them go. The focus of the cameras would be elsewhere.

Liz and Ashley stood off to one side.

"Make good choices," yelled Ashley.

"No tongue kissing," hollered Liz. They giggled and ducked down to avoid the camera as it panned across them.

The group headed back into the mansion.

"Thank God I didn't get picked," Tami announced. "There is no way I would traipse around a bunch of stinky animals in a zoo. I don't care how much money Luke makes"

"No kidding," chimed in Lindsey. "When he takes me out, it had better be in style. I didn't come here to be treated like a child. I expect linens and crystal, not popcorn and snow cones" She turned and walked back into the mansion.

"Look at Miss Hoity Toity," Ashley whispered to Liz. "You can see right up her nose, she's holding it so high." They walked back inside too, snickering as they went.

"Hello?"

"He gave me a rose"

"What?"

"Kelli. You said he wouldn't even notice me. That if I played it cool, I'd get right out and could go home." Ashley huddled on the toilet seat in the bathroom. The shower and sink ran full blast and the bathroom fan added to the noise.

"Are you serious? You're on the show! This is so exciting!"

"It is not exciting," she yelled in her whisper voice. "I did everything you asked. I put on the stupid dress and put myself through the ringer to get there in time. I humiliated myself in front of the cameras and Lord knows how many other people" She stood and paced the small room. "I can't do this, Kelli. You know I can't. You said `one day.' You promised."

"Oh honey, I said `probably one day.' There were no guarantees. Apparently he liked you. At least enough to get to know you more. It'll be fine"

"It will not be fine! I didn't bring enough underwear to stay longer! What am I supposed to do? I don't even know how this thing works." She swiped her hand across the steamed-up mirror. Her frustrated and frightened reflection stared back. "I'll look like an idiot next to all the other women. Have you seen these women? They're gorgeous. I'm not talking just pretty-I mean incredible." She turned her back on the face in the mirror and leaned against the sink.

"I know, Ashley. I helped select them. And stop selling yourself short. What are you doing on the phone? You know that's forbidden."

"Hey, I need a line to the outside world here. Kelli, I'm warning you, if this gig goes south on me, I am holding you responsible."

"Fine. Just remember, you can't let anyone know you don't want to be there. If the producers find out, I'll be fired. The rest of them all took personality tests, IQ tests, drug tests, and a bunch of other qualifiers. Now that you're staying for the next few days, I'd better fill up your file in case they go looking for backstory"

"Oh, Kelli, why did I let you get me into this?"