Page 16 of The Final Rose

In this set, causing jealousy is a good thing, so I build on that. “It’s almost a star-crossed lovers story.” I start with a little more vehemence. “Vera and Sebastian go perfectly together. The public falls in love with them and then the group scenes are overwhelming, and they never get a minute alone.”

“Suddenly the whole country wants them to have a chance to be alone.” Anya waggles her pencil in my direction.

“Exactly.”

I tell myself it’s the best solution for all sides. Sebastian has time to get to know the girls better before another elimination. Vera has time to shine, and Anya is happy with our direction.

However, shame burns right underneath my skin. I don’t understand where it’s coming from, and I hate it. I love my job, and I have never had a problem with it.

Yes, it’s a little scripted, but the couples are real. There areThe Final Rosekids out there! We can’t keep the show running unless it’s entertaining.

I leave the trailer. We’ve decided to choose the girls randomly at the end of the first elimination, throwing Vera’s name into the mix as a definite top choice for the date. We all agree it would be better if he ranks Vera high - so we have an excuse for putting them together- but we can come up with something else if he doesn’t.

I nod and say nothing, shaking myself off and burying my nose in my work where it belongs.

The lights are on Sebastian, and if he hadn’t confessed to me he was nervous, I wouldn’t know. He looks regal in his blue suit with a pink pocket square. His hair is perfectly brushed back and his blue eyes shine more than ever.

I bite my nails furiously. I promised I’d let them grow, but here we go again.

“Ready, Sosa?” Gary asks and I nod.

I have an earpiece to hear what they are saying, and my eyes won’t leave the scene. Our host, Andrea Fox, is gorgeous, talking to everyone and laughing loudly as she steals glances at Sebastian.

He doesn’t notice her. Squaring his shoulders, he checks his sleeves. Only when he’s satisfied with the state of his clothes, his gaze wanders. To the setting, to the loud host, the cameraman right on his face… To me.

Our eyes lock and I gulp. He smiles and I timidly return it.

I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, but I have to stop. I look away before my cheeks warm or I do something stupid, and meet a camera pointed in my face.

“What the hell, Will?” I complain.

“You know I like to film pretty things.” He tells me with a wink.

I roll my eyes. Will loves filming the crew and usually puts together a little video of us at the end of each season as a job well-done gift.

“Places,” Jeff calls, and everyone straightens up right away.

My errant eyes find Sebastian. He’s looking at me, too.

“Welcome to The Final Rose, the show here to change how you see love,”Andrea calls as the cameras roll.

I hold my breath through the first section, but there’s no reason to do so. She approaches Sebastian and they talk easily. He’s a bright light on camera, and his accent is even better through the earpiece, like he’s murmuring to me. Each syllable is spoken in a purr. The hair on the name of my neck stands as he drags his vowels.

Of all the beautiful people in Los Angeles, I can’t believe this London boy is the one who can fluster me.

Andrea goes on and on as she usually does. When the cameras stop for a , she complains about the humidity and Anya yells for someone to turn up the AC—predictable .

In the next section, the girls arrive, and I’m chewing my nails. The first elimination is the one I look forward to the most. It sets the tone for the season and shows us a little bit of how our Eligible works. It makes or breaks television.

I used to love that kind of tension, lived for it. But as I watch the episode unfold like its most unwilling participant, I can’t recall why the hell I thought this was fun.

“Are you ready, Sebastian?” Andrea asks.

“Yes.”

“Sure of your choices?”

“They are all lovely ladies, Andrea. This little time together wasn’t enough, but I need to trust…” A beat. “My guts.”

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