Page 19 of The Final Rose

“I told you, Sebastian, I–”

“That’s the thing, Callie, you didn’t. You were so against eliminating Vera, but don’t you think I deserve to know why?”

“She’s lovely and deserves a chance.”

“So do any of the girls,” I’m quick to reply.

She groans like I’m being impossible. My fingers rake through my hair in my irritation.

“Did you ever think this was going to be easy?” she fires back.

“I didn’t think–”

“You can’t fucking crumble in the first elimination!” I’m taken aback by her ferocity.

“I’m not crumbling!”

I’m the definition of crumbling.

“Oh boy,” she scoffs. “You’re crumbling like… like…”

“Rhubarb crumble.” I’m nothing but helpful.

“Oh, my god no. Like an apple crumble! Like a cookie! Who the hell thinks about rhubarb first?”

I try to hide my reaction, but her exasperation over the rhubarb makes my lips twitch. Defeated, I sit down on the bed, trying to find a space away from the pictures.

“I didn’t think it was going to be this hard.” I confess. “I thought I was going to click with people straight away and just follow my instincts. But I was lost there. That elimination had no rhyme or reason. I just said names in no particular order.”

She grunts, the phone rustling as she moves around. “I’m going to need wine if I’m going to deal with your idealistic ass.”

I chuckle. “Are you home?”

“Yes, in the smallest apartment on the bad side of town.”

I remove the photos from my bed. “I thought you had a good job.”

“It’s an expensive city.”

Liquid sloshes as she pours herself a glass and I ask, “Red or white?”

“Cheaprosé.”

“Pink. What a classy lady.”

“You can’t knock boxed wine until–”

“Boxed wine?!”

“Don’t you even start. You’re a sommelier or something? Actually, you know what? Don’t answer that. I want to keep liking you.”

I want to dig deep into this whole liking me business, but she talks again. “Tell me what got your panties in a twist, Riggs.”

“Crumbles, panties in a twist. Is it in your job description to emasculate the contestants?”

“No, that’s just one of the perks. Out with it. Tell me or I’ll ignore you in favor of any sitcom rerun.”

I blow out a breath. Finally, my bed is free of pictures and I put my feet up, resting my back against the headboard. I know I unraveled because of what Vera said, but I don’t want to throw her under the bus.

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