“Besides the TV part. I mean, do you think the formula works?”
She sighs before answering, and I imagine her kicking her feet up and thinking about my question.
“It’s hard to take the cameras out of consideration because it’s a huge part of it. Not just because it’s a reality show, you know?” She considers it. “It’s because it is part of the formula. Being filmed changes people. Makes them consider what kind of person they want to show the world. It amplifies everything like a giant magnifying glass. People do things alone they wouldn’t do in front of a camera. I don’t mean just the nasty stuff.”
“So, it is worse, isn’t it? It means people pretend to be good because they are being watched. They aren’t real.”
“Not necessarily. Yes, we get a few weirdos who are one thing when the lights are on and another when they are off. But when you know you’re being watched, you think about your actions more. Even the nicest person would say something hurtful during a fight. But when your first fight as a couple is with cameras on your face? You think through it. And sometimesthinking better is all you need to step away and choose less hurtful words. Words you wouldn’t regret.”
I think of my posed family and see myself nodding. “But it can ricochet. Sometimes people are media trained and can’t ever let it go.”
“Well, that clearly isn’t you because I still insist you’re too sarcastic to be media trained.”
I scoff. “Oh, you stop, I’m English. But yes, I was talking about my family.”
She hums on the other side. “Must be nice when your family doesn’t say all they think of you in one blow.”
“Oh, they say it, it is just in the worst way possible, full of riddles that leave your head hurting trying to figure it out.”
“Well, my family is Colombian. Whatever needs to be said, they will say it to your face using small words because they truly believe you’re dumb.”
I laugh at the way she says it matter-of-factly. She talks again after a chuckle. “I love those dumb-dumbs but I was just saying, you know, families are weird.”
I don’t want to go into detail about how my family differs from her lovabledumb-dumbs, but I also don’t want to finish this phone call. Now it would be the best time to thank her for calming me down and letting her go.
But I can’t.
I want to talk more; I want to hear more things about her, and I want her to sass me just a little more.
“So, it’s a no toThe Final Rose?”
She laughs. “If I tell you no, would it be me admitting I don’t believe in the formula?”
“You can press the number two twice if, by contract, you aren’t allowed to say that.”
“Dork,” she grumbles, and I can almost see her rolling her eyes. “What I’m saying is that reality TV isn't for everyone. Ithink love can be found anywhere, Riggs. There isn’t a map or a foolproof way. Probably being a fool helps a little. It can happen to anyone at any time. You’re going down the street one day and BAM.”
“Love hits?”
“Like lightning.”
7.
Callie
This flower bouquet isthe craziest bunch I’ve seen so far. In a wide range in color and variety, I’m sure this is the most expensive yet.
I snort a laugh. I can’t wait until we pack our bags and go to London for the next stretch of the show so I can meet Maverick. He’s either an extremely sentimental friend, or the best prankster. Something tells me he’s both.
Being as discreet as I can, I glance at my phone and revisit the messages from last night. It’s not every night Sebastian calls me, and it’s neverpreposterouslylate, as he claimed at first. But when he doesn’t call me, he texts. And it’s less and less about the show, which should concern me, but I’m stupid enough to feel charmed.
I’ve never been stupid enough for anything. I'm a Sosa. We are smart people.
What happened to my intellect remains to be seen, but now I stride around the mansion with an enormous bunch of flowers resting in the crook of my arm and my hand clasped on my phone.
Sebastian:Why can’t I find a decent kebab in this town?
Callie:I’m sure you can find a kebab in L.A.