Page 33 of Bargain with the Bachelor
“I don’t want to be on TV either,” Aiden said, blushing at the idea of it. “You grew up in front of cameras, Hap, but it’s going to be weird for the rest of us.”
His shyness didn’t surprise me. “Look, it’ll probably never make it to TV. It’s nearly impossible to get past all the hurdles to get a show on the networks—even cable or streaming is a longshot. It’s just a pilot.”
“You’ll get used to it in no time,” assured Hap. “The guys I work with are really good. They know how to be unobtrusive.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” said Reid. “We’ll get so comfortable that someone’s going to say the wrong thing while wearing a mic and let out proprietary information.”
“Hap and I will have final say on the edits,” I told him. “There won’t be any leaks.”
“What about my allergies?” Paul sniffled and wiped his nose. “All those people in and out dragging pollen and dust through the house.”
“We’d enforce a strict no shoes policy indoors—or we’ll make the crew wear those little bootie things over their shoes,” Hap said, lifting both arms in a pleading gesture. “Listen guys, it’s just for a few weeks. You’ll be helping me to possibly get a new show off the ground. Tuck gave us the thumbs-up even though you know the production schedule will wreak havoc with his wacky Interview-with-the-Vampire sleep schedule.”
“Not to mention what you’d be doing for Kristal,” I said, pulling out the big guns and going for the sympathy vote. “You remember how nice she was to all of us when the rest of her clique teased us for being geeks or just ignored us entirely. How often did she say hi and ask how your day was back in high school—Paul?”
“Every day,” he admitted reluctantly.
“Josh? Did she ever call you an airhead? No—she called you by your name, which she took the time to learn, by the way.”
“You guys call me ‘airhead’ all the time when you’re not calling me ‘Dopey,’” Josh complained.
“Yeah, but we’re your friends,” Reid said. “We insult you because we love you.” To me he said, “You’re right. Shewassuper-nice.”
“She still is,” I assured them. “And she’s had the year from hell. Her dad had a stroke, then he died. Her boyfriend broke up with her. Her greedy stepmom blew through the family fortune in record time and lost their house and cars, and someone apparently wiped out her trust fund. Kristal’s waiting tables, riding a bike to work, and sleeping on a couch at Cinda’s house.”
“Cinda Brown?” Aiden asked, his interest clearly piqued. “Is she still single?”
“Yeah, but she has a kid,” Josh said.
Aiden shrugged. “So?”
“Hey…” Paul’s tone indicated a sudden realization. “Kristal’s single too.”
There were a few nods and looks of interest. My hands fisted instantly, and the hairs on the back of my neck rose.
“No.No way.You heard what I said. She’s been through a lot lately. The last thing she needs is her roommates sniffing around her. Kristal is strictly off-limits.”
Reid’s eyes narrowed in a calculating expression, and an evil grin sneaked across his face.Including you?his challenging gaze seemed to say.
Out loud he said, “I completely agree. Let’s all make a pact right now—Kristal is our friend. We’re doing this to help her out, andnoneof us…”
Here he stared pointedly at me “… will make a move on her.Everybodygot that?”
All the guys made some kind of verbal agreement except for Paul, who nodded and lifted a hand while going into a sneezing fit.
When he finished, he asked, “Whose condo will she sleep in, because I don’t think my allergies make mine the best choice... unfortunately. She might wear perfume or something.”
“Mine,” I answered immediately.
At the silence and blank looks, I explained. “Reid and Aiden are already sharing. So are Josh and Tuck. Paul has to have his own. That leaves mine.”
“And Hap’s,” Josh pointed out, oh-so-helpfully.
Hap blinked a couple of times, then came to life. “Yeah, but I’m gonna have some crew from California crashing with me. They’ll probably fill up all my bedrooms plus the sleeper sofa.”
I shot him a grateful look. “Exactly. So, it’s settled then. She’s moving in on Monday, and production of Tech House begins as soon as Hap can pull the crew together.” I beamed at all of them. “Let’s make a TV pilot.”
And win the girl, I added silently, smiling as I congratulated myself on my brilliant plan.
