Page 89 of The Fiance Dilemma

“Yes or no?” he asked. “I’m not letting you leave until you answer me.” His chest moved up and down. “Yes or no? I have no problem staying like this all day.”

A strange laugh broke out of me, and I did all I could do in that moment.

I nodded my head.

“Yes.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

INTERIOR—FILTHY REALI-TEASTUDIO—DAY

SAM: So what did our polls say?

NICK: Whoa, impatient much?

SAM: I love a good poll. There’s a very special kind of satisfaction in picking something and discovering whether it’s validated in the results. Or in your case… in-validated? You always go with the odd choice.

NICK: I’m not sure that’s the word you’re looking for, Sammy. And you’re talking about me like I love to pick the wrong side of a love triangle. I really don’t. I—

SAM: The polls.

NICK: (sigh) All right, all right. So… for those of you catching up with all the developments inThe UnderwoodAffair. Much has happened. All of it you can find on our highlights, pause here and look them up, and before you ask in the comments, yes, the video had to be taken down.

SAM: I did feel a little bad for her, if I’m being honest? We were mere communicators but…

NICK: But you are so invested you’re rooting for her. (gasps) Oh my God, you really are. Wow. Well, I’m collecting all that credit. I worked really hard on this series.

SAM: (sighs) So the polls?

NICK: Yes. Okay. So we asked you, our beautifully Filthy Reali-tiers, the following question. (pauses)

(Drumroll sound)

NICK: I do really love that, thanks. (clears throat) Will Small-Town Heiress walk down the aisle on December first?

SAM: (squeals with excitement)

NICK: And fifty-one percent of you said she won’t.

SAM: (scoffs, outraged) I voted that she would. I believe in her. I believe in the power of healing.

NICK: I dunno, honestly. I’m as divided as our audience. I think it’s because of that picture we talked about on Tuesday’s ep. That kiss was a little…

SAM: Anticlimactic. Yeah. Maybe. I always thought he—

NICK: (laughs loudly and abruptly) That he looks like a man to grab a woman and just kiss the heck out of her? Yup. Blond guys in glasses, I’m telling ya. But on to our second poll now. Will Rich Daddy—oops, sorry, we can’t address him as such anymore. Do you wantAndrew Underwoodto walk our real-life small-town princess down that aisle on December first? (drumroll sound) Poll said seventy-five percent yes.

SAM: (even more outraged) What? Why?

NICK: The power of Hollywood? Happily ever afters? The daddy issues everyone has? I did vote yes here. I’ll admit that.

SAM: Ew. You’re changing your tune awfully quick. Are you still fishing for that invite?

NICK: (feigning a dismayed gasp). I am better than fishing. But yes, yes I am. You really think there’s no way I can get one, though? I know exactly what I’d wear.

SAM: (laughs) Of course you’d know. But the big day’s in two weeks. I doubt that you will if it hasn’t happened yet, bestie.

NICK: Ouch. I would have taken you as a plus-one but… alas. Oh. And for those of you filling up our comments with the most random requests: here’s a little something… we are working on getting a very special guest on the pod. Soon.Hopefully. Any guesses who that might be? Let us know! Until then, please stay tuned. And subscribe if you haven’t! We also have mouths to feed.

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