Brian stepped into the doorway. Her house smelled like oranges. “How was the trip?”
“Good. It was good.” Eva turned in the short hallway and ran into Brian’s chest, crushing the daisies between them. She looked up into his eyes for a moment too long before taking a step back. “Sorry.”
Brian put his hands in his coat pockets. “How’s Kate?”
“She seems really happy. The horses are lovely. Look, Brian, why are you here?” Eva turned away from him and found a vase for the flowers.
“Forget the small talk. Cut to the chase. I can take a hint.” Brian sat on a stool at the kitchen bar.
Eva smiled sheepishly.
“Kate told me she spilled the beans about my conversation with Mike. I asked him if I could come on the show and he said no.”
Eva nodded. “And then we went off to Texas and you stayed here.”
She looked mad. Was she mad? “I didn’t know what else to do. I needed some time away to…to get over you or whatever we could have been. I can’t keep a professional air where you’re concerned. Not anymore.”
Eva leaned on the kitchen counter. “You should have come. Forget what Mike says. You could have come after me.”
Brian stood and moved around the breakfast bar while Eva studied the floor. When he was right in front of her, he placed a finger beneath her chin and raised her face to his. “Are you saying that’s what you wanted? For me to follow you to Texas? To give us a shot?”
Instead of waiting for an answer, Brian bent over and gingerly touched his lips to hers. At first, she stood so still he was sure it was a mistake, but then, she responded. Brian got the answer he needed. There were definitely feelings between them…big ones.
Brian pulled back and laid his hand on the side of her face. “I’m sorry, Eva. Sometimes I get in my own way.”
“I understand,” she whispered.
“What are you going to do about the guys left on the show?”
Confusion creased her face. “What do you mean?”
“Do you plan to tell Mike about us?”
Eva took a step back. “Wait, I can’t do that. I haven’t decided anything at all. Cane and Steve have put everything they have into this…into me. And you didn’t even bother to come after me and admit there was more to this than a kiss on the swings at Adventureland.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Yes, but you have to prove it. Show me, Brian. Show me I’m worth more to you than anyone else. You went to California for Kate. Where will you go for me?”
Brian stood in silence. She was right, but what was he supposed to do? How could he prove his deep feelings?
“What do you want me to do?” he asked.
“Go back to hosting,” she said. “Do what you do best. If you and I were meant to be, the time will present itself.”
“And in the meantime, you go on dating two other guys?” He was not okay with that.
Eva shrugged. “It is what it is.”
Brian stared into her eyes. He was confused. He thought she felt what he did when they kissed. All of their conversations, the way he felt light-headed around her and yet so comfortable…the two of them were on another level. Weren’t they? She was leaving him no choice. He had to return to the show.
Brian made his way back to her front door. When he opened it and let himself out, he turned and spotted her in the kitchen. “I’m going to find a way to overcome this.” He glanced at the daisies on the counter. “There’s never been anything more important in my life than the way you make me feel.”
Brian felt his heart sink into his shoes as he walked away.
“AND THEN HE just walked away?” Renee gasped.
Eva spent the last two hours debriefing Renee on Steve, Cane, and finally Brian. “He told me I was the most important thing in his life, but I don’t know, it can’t be true.”
Renee nodded. “And Cane and Steve have made you feel that way.”
“Right. That and more.”
“So what’s the problem? Why not just leave Brian in the dust and focus on the other two?”
“That’s just it.” Eva curled her legs beneath her on Renee’s couch. “I can’t seem to shake the idea of Brian and me and I don’t know why.”
“Sometimes it’s the ones you least expect.” Renee winked.
“Don’t I know it? You stole my man.” Eva elbowed her friend. They often joked about their past love triangle.
“I’m just saying, don’t limit yourself. The show picked twelve guys, but there are more than twelve guys on the planet. It’s possible none of the contestants are right for you.”
“That’s exactly what Kate said.”
“I’ve got to meet this Kate,” Renee teased. “What do you want me to focus on tomorrow?”
Eva curled her lip. “Well, Steve is hilarious, as I’ve told you. I want to see if you can get his sensitive side to come out. It’s in there, but I need to see it. And Cane, well, he says and does everything right. I mean, on paper, this man is perfect for anyone and he makes me feel really special, but I want to see some flaws. Let’s see what’s wrong with him.”
“You want to know if he’ll jump on a table and dance if he thinks he sees a mouse?” Renee asked.
“Something like that, but don’t you dare go out and buy a mechanical mouse.”
“Who me? Never.”
Eva laughed. It felt good to decompress with her friend. Renee would help her through this tough situation. And she was right, the person for her would reveal himself. She just needed to watch carefully and let her heart decide. Everything would fall into place. It had to. Her future depended on it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
“I’M SORRY, MIKE, I really am, but I’ve been up all night. Trust me, you don’t want me on that date today.” Brian faked a gravelly voice.
Mike sighed on the other end of the phone. “We can’t delay taping. We have to get everything to editing ASAP to wrap this thing before it starts airing. Promise me you’ll be at the finale, even if you have to be wheeled in on a hospital bed.”
“I promise.” Brian cleared his throat. He hated lying, but he needed time to pull it off. He just hoped he wouldn’t be too late.
EVA SETTLED INTO the coffee shop chair and Renee sat across from her. The crew was nearly done setting up the cameras around them.
“Mike asked you to fill in?” Eva asked.
Renee nodded. “Brian called in sick and suggested I cover the shoot, but Mike was mad.”
Confusion whirled around Eva’s mind. The last thing Brian said to her was that there was nothing more important in his life then how she made him feel. She hinted that he needed to step up and make a move. And now…nothing. He was avoiding her, plain and simple. She’d be surprised if he showed up for the finale. Mike would probably have Renee fill that slot as well. Or maybe he’d even fly Kate in to take over the hosting job.
Eva sighed, forget Brian. She had two great guys and the choice was hard enough.
Renee stood and Eva shook her head, centering herself on the task at hand. Steve appeared in the doorway and Eva stepped around her chair to greet him.
“Are you ready for this?” Eva whispered into his ear as they hugged.
“Ready? Renee looks harmless. She’s not the grand inquisition, right?” He pulled back with a questioning look in his eyes.
“You’d be surprised.” Eva sat on the couch next to Renee’s chair and pulled Steve down beside her. “Steve, I’d like you to meet my friend, Renee.”
Steve leaned over and shook Renee’s hand. “It’s a pleasure. I feel like I know you already.”
“From the show?” Renee asked.
“I watched every minute. You were entertaining, but, no offense I was watching Eva more than anyone else.”
Renee nodded her approval. “None taken. Let’s get down to business.”
Steve drew in a deep breath and slapped his hands on his knees. “I’m all business, that’s me.”
Eva smil
ed. His humor showed already.
“What is it about Eva that makes you think she’s right for you?”
“Boy, you don’t waste any time,” Steve replied. “Don’t you want to know my favorite color?”
An eyebrow shot up on Renee’s forehead.
“It’s red, by the way.” Steve chuckled. “Okay, okay. There’s plenty about Eva that I love. She laughs at my jokes.” He reached over and squeezed Eva’s hand. His face grew serious. “I guess I can’t pinpoint it exactly. I mean, there’s the obvious. She’s gorgeous, kind, genuine, but it’s more the way she looks at me, you know?”
Renee glanced back and forth between them. “I think I see what you’re saying.”
Eva smiled. The serious side of Steve was coming through. She knew he had a tendency to rely on humor, but there was a time and place for it. Given the conversation with Renee, he knew when jokes worked and when it was time to be serious.
“What is it about you that’s right for Eva?”
“She’s playing hardball,” Steve said to Eva.
“That’s why I hired her,” Eva joked.
“Eva said a number of times that she thinks life with me would make her happy. Honestly, that’s my goal. Whether it’s cracking jokes or being there for her, I want to make her happy. Whatever it takes to do that, I plan on doing it.”
Eva could tell Renee approved. The conversation moved to Steve’s occupation, his hobbies, his family and many other topics. Through it all, Steve sat tall, answered with honesty, and never let go of Eva’s hand. By the time he walked out of the coffee shop two hours later, Renee was smitten.
“He’s so great,” she gushed.
“I told you. I’ve got two wonderful guys left.”
“Do I even need to meet Cane? I mean come on, just pick Steve now.”
Eva smiled. “It’s only fair.”
“Okay, okay. Bring him on.”
The two friends chatted about Steve for a few moments until Cane walked through the coffee shop door.
“He’s here,” Eva muttered.
Renee spun around. Her head whipped back to Eva seconds later. “That’s Cane?”
Eva nodded.
“I can see the problem.”
The women stood. “I’m Renee.” She extended her arm and shook Cane’s hand.
“How nice to meet you in person.” Cane side stepped over to Eva, brushed her hair away from her cheek and planted a kiss on her warm skin. “Hello, Eva.”
“Hi.” Eva felt weak in the knees as she often did around Cane. Their chemistry was off the charts.
The group sat down and Cane laced his fingers through Eva’s.
“So Cane, tell me about meeting Eva for the first time. What did you say? What did you think?”
Cane glanced at Eva. “You’re never going to believe this.” He told Renee the story of their first meeting, many years ago at Adventureland.
“He gave you your very first kiss?” Renee’s eyes were wide.
Eva shrugged. “It seems so.”
“And after this is over, I hope to give her every kiss she wants for the rest of her life.”
“Those are strong words.” Renee changed the topic. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m a paramedic.”
“Oh, I think I broke a toe the other day, want to take a look?” Renee asked.
Eva made a face, but Cane laughed. “That’s not the type of trauma I’m used to working with, but sure, I can identify a broken toe as well as the next guy.”
Renee removed her shoe and Cane let go of Eva’s hand long enough to inspect the injury.
“Yep, looks broken. You might want to see a podiatrist. There’s not much they can do about toes, but you don’t want it to heal in an unnatural position and give you problems for life.”
Renee slipped her shoe back on. “Enough about me. Let’s get back to you. I want to hear what life would be like for Eva if she chose you.”
Cane cleared his throat and drew Eva’s hand to his lips. “I don’t like making promises I can’t keep, but I promise you Eva would be loved and she’d know it. I’d do my best to make her happy, but above anything else, she’d be cherished.”
Renee blinked and her mouth fell open.
The conversation continued. How many kids did he want? Where did he see himself in five years? Where did he want to live? Did he like the Huskers?
By the time Cane left, Eva’s head was spinning from the rapid-fire questions Renee shot his way. Renee eyed Cane as he gently kissed Eva on the lips and exited the coffee shop.
Renee turned to her friend and slowly sank into her chair. “That,” she said, “is the perfect man.”
Eva agreed. “So what do I do?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
EVA’S NERVES WERE sky-high. Renee hadn’t been much help in the advice department. She loved Steve and thought he would be a great match for Eva. But then she met Cane and determined he was the perfect man all around. It all boiled down to what Eva’s opinion and she knew it. But what did she feel?
Eva dressed more formally than she had at any other time during the show. She wanted to stay true to herself, as Renee suggested, but this time, she wanted the man she chose to see her at her best. She picked a deep red dress with a sequined bodice and satin skirt. It accentuated the color of her hair and the tone of her skin. Her silver heels were as comfortable as heels got, but Eva’s heart was anything but settled.
She had two great men on her hands and no idea what to do. Was she in love? She wasn’t sure. The taping sessions allowed her to get to know the guys pretty well, but enough to fall in love? Not yet. She needed to examine the options and decide who she could love. It was absurd, really. She didn’t want to continue dating two people, but she didn’t want to let anyone down either.
Eva paced the small office. The crew was waiting for the remaining bachelors to arrive. They would stash them in other empty rooms and set Eva up in the studio. Then, the men would come to her one at a time. It was the final elimination ceremony and she had no idea what to do.
BRIAN ADJUSTED HIS favorite tie and buttoned his suit coat. He’d put a lot of time and effort into the finale. If things went as planned, he may be out of a job, but he might win the girl. He smoothed his hair and checked his reflection in the mirror. There was no way to cover the pale glow of his skin. He was nervous as all get out.
Brian left the anchor’s green room and headed toward the studio. He nodded at Mac, who was sticking his neck out to help Brian with his plan. He stopped next to the board operator. “All set?” he asked out of the corner of his mouth.
“Ready to roll.” Mac concentrated on the board set up.
“Thanks again.”
“Anything for love.” Mac shook his head.
Brian walked over to the set, trying to appear calmer than he felt. The decorations were gorgeous. He couldn’t wait to see Eva’s reaction to it. The stone pathway led from one side of the set to the other with pots of dandelions and other brightly colored flowers lining either side. The white wooden arch at the end of the path had dandelions woven through it. Brian wondered if they were real. If so, they would wilt by the time the taping began.
He reached out to touch one when Mike appeared with his clipboard.
“Feeling better?”
“Much.” Brian lied. If anything, he felt worse.
“Let’s do this and get everything into editing.”
Brian nodded. “I’m good to go.”
Mike waved the clipboard. “Bring her in.”
Brian fixed his eyes on the dark hallway to the side of the set. First, he saw a flash of red, then glistening sequins. Before long, Eva stepped into the pool of light and Brian took a deep breath. She was more beautiful than ever. He liked her in everything she wore, but now that he knew how he felt, her beauty had an even deeper effect on him.
He watched her walk down the stone path, taking in the dandelions and detailed decorations. Her eyes sparkled with hope and Brian co
uld tell she was impressed.
EVA STROLLED DOWN the pathway and tore her eyes from the set to place them at the end of the path and the man standing there.
“Brian,” Eva gasped. Her feet stopped beneath her. She stared at his dimple for a few heartbeats before moving forward again. “I heard you were…sick.”
Brian cleared his throat. “That wasn’t entirely true. I’m sorry, I don’t like to lie, but it was for a good cause.”
Eva frowned. This man was one puzzle after another. She thought she knew where he stood when it came to his emotions…and her. But she had been downright wrong. It didn’t matter anyway, it was too late. She had to choose between the two men who were there for her.
Brian took a step, closing the gap between them. “I know this process has been hard on you and I understand I’ve made it worse by stepping in and confusing things further. I’d like to apologize for that, but Eva, I’m not sorry for everything.”
Eva looked up into his eyes. What was going on? Her mind was made up. She knew who she was going to choose. They needed to move on with the ceremony.
“You want a man who will go the distance for you, someone who will walk across the country and make it known that you are the one for him. I want you to know I’m willing to do that.” Brian smiled and removed one hand from her elbow, twirling his finger in the air above his head. When the studio remained quiet, he looked behind him and signaled again.
MAC FUMBLED WITH the knobs in the control room. He wanted to do as Brian asked and roll the footage. There were screens all over the studio and the tape they prepared would appear everywhere, but he didn’t anticipate the computer shutting down on him.
“Blasted color wheel.” Mac cursed. The machine needed an update, big time. But that fact was quickly becoming Brian’s problem. Mac glanced out the control room window. Brian gave the signal a third time but Mac was helpless to do anything about it.
He pressed the computer’s power switch to shut it down completely. He’d have to reboot and it would take a few minutes. Brian would have to stall.
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