Page 73 of The Wrong Bachelor

“What was that?” Willow asked.

“I have to find Cole,” I said. The words were barely out of my mouth when Skye walked up to us.

“I need to get you guys in position,” she said to Willow and me, nodding her head toward where the other contestants were starting to line up.

“I need a moment,” I said, turning and looking for any sign of Cole. He was nowhere to be seen though. He hadn’t come out for the ceremony yet, which meant I still had a chance to find him before it was too late.

“Sorry, Madi, there’s no time,” Skye replied. “The cameras are going live in less than a minute.”

“I’m sure you can talk to him later,” Willow murmured. “Come on.” She took hold of my wrist and started guiding me toward the others. I let her pull me along, but I was still hoping that Cole would appear before the episode went live so I could tell him I wanted to stay.

Feelings of dread started amassing in my stomach as I watched the doorway and still there was no sign of Cole. Skye gave us a thirty-second warning, and I could feel my hope slipping away with each and every second that passed.

When the two of us were arranged in line with the other contestants, I resigned myself to the fact that I had no chance of talking to Cole before the ceremony began. My shoulders slumped with the knowledge. I tried to keep the disappointment from showing on my face, but I could feel my sadness brimming in my eyes.

“What do you need with Cole?” Willow murmured, as we waited for the signal that the cameras were live.

I shook my head. It was too late and no longer mattered. A sudden pelting of rain started hitting the roof loudly. It almost seemed fitting that a storm should coincide with my own tumultuous elimination from the show.

“We’re going live in three, two, one,” Skye announced, before nodding her head at Angus. In the blink of an eye, Angus’ serious expression transformed. He grinned widely at the camera pointed at him and launched into his introductory spiel. His one-on-ones with the camera had been growing longer each week, and I suspected he was enjoying the increased attention True Love was getting. He sounded somewhat reluctant when he reached the end of his monologue and announced Cole’s entrance.

Cole looked so handsome as he strode out to stand at Angus’ side. He usually seemed so confident in himself, but tonight he appeared slightly nervous. His gaze swept across the group and lingered on mine for a second. His eyes became more intense, and it felt like he was trying to tell me something with them, but Angus started speaking and Cole looked away before I could figure it out.

“We’ll start by announcing the audience pick for the week,” he said, turning to face Cole.

My body went still as I watched Cole reach for the first heart. I’d never wanted to win the audience vote, but I was suddenly desperate to hear Cole calling my name. If the viewers hadn’t voted for me this time, I knew I would be gone, and I wasn’t ready to give up. Not now.

Cole picked up the first half-heart cut out. “The first piece of my heart goes to Laurie.”

The warmth rushed from my skin as I heard the words, and I couldn’t look away as Laurie bounded forward to receive her heart. Their kiss must have really been something for the audience to choose her. But it wasn’t the kiss that had me worried; it was the realization I would now be eliminated that made me suddenly feel queasy. I felt like I was going to throw up.

“Teagan.” Cole announced the first of his personal selections.

If there had been any warmth left in my skin, it was now gone. I felt ice cold as I watched Teagan walk forward to receive her heart. The two of them exchanged such warm smiles that I felt like I’d just been dealt a physical blow to my chest. Cole was going to end up with one of these other girls, and I could only blame myself.

I felt a hand grab mine and give it a squeeze. I looked at Evan who was standing beside me. He gave me an encouraging smile, like everything was going to be all right. But I wasn’t sure if it was.

“There are only four contestants left,” Angus said. “Cole, with just two choices remaining, who would you like to continue on your journey to find true love?”

Cole’s eyes roamed over all of us, but it felt like his gaze passed right by me. His eyes finally settled on Willow. As he called out her name, my heart sank.

There was only Evan, Zoe and me left now. I wanted to cry. I’d been so stupid to insist on leaving the contest. I’d continually thrown it in Cole’s face. And now I was finally going to get what I thought I wanted and I wasn’t sure if my heart could take it.

This wasn’t just a contest for a date to the dance anymore. It had become more than just raising money for charity. I wanted to stay, and I wanted to fight for a chance to be with Cole. But that decision was no longer in my hands.

“Cole, you only have one more piece of your heart left to give tonight. Who is your final choice to stay?” Angus asked.

Cole wasn’t looking at me, which I knew was a bad sign. In fact, he was looking everywhere but at me. A part of me just wished he would say a name already, but another part of me hoped he never opened his mouth to make the announcement.

“Madi,” he finally said.

I blinked, not quite sure I’d heard him right. He hadn’t looked my way as he spoke my name; had I really heard him correctly? I glanced at Evan who was nodding for me to go over to Cole.

I should’ve been happy, but instead I felt confused. I was frowning as I closed the distance that separated me from Cole. He still hadn’t looked me in the eyes, and I couldn’t understand why he was avoiding me. I could barely work out my own thoughts, so it wasn’t really a big surprise that I had no idea what Cole’s were.

“Madi, will you accept a piece of my heart?” he asked. Finally, he looked into my eyes. I was surprised by the amount of turmoil and emotion in them. He seemed so unsure, so nervous. The pit in my stomach dropped further. He didn’t want to hand me the heart. My eyes flickered in Angus’ direction. Was he forcing Cole’s hand?

“Madi?” Cole prompted, pulling my gaze back to him.

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