Page 22 of The Love Rematch
And though he wants to blame the cameras, he can’t. Not entirely. Even in her introversion, Emily always had a spark. Her energy was infectious, making him feel light. In her presence, he came out of the shadows and stepped into the sun.
What happened?
He’s afraid he already knows the answer.
“What did Nina say?” Jake asks, his gaze still on Emily.
“She’s trying, but they’re too fresh. The trust hasn’t been built. It’s why we haven’t gone with an unaffiliated lead in ages, because they’re more open to producing if they see us as friends. Emily isn’t there yet. She’s still unsure. If Nina presses too hard, it might work against us.”
“You want me to stir something up?”
“You mean do I want you to do your job?” Trish turns to him, an eyebrow raised. “Yes. That’d be nice for a change.”
The jab stings, mostly because he knows it’s true. “You’re right. I’ve been distracted tonight, but it won’t happen again.”
“I need more than a drunken idiot falling into the pool.”
“Understood.”
“More than a jealous asshole pumping his chest.”
“Understood.”
“I need something promo-worthy.”
“Give me ten minutes.”
“Five.”
Jake is already out the door. This is exactly what he needed. He’s reinvigorated. Electricity shoots down his veins like a double shot of espresso. Screw romance. This is where he thrives—on giving an asshole just enough rope to hang himself in front of ten million viewers. And Jake knows the perfect guy.
He finds Margarita Gonzalez, one of his production assistants, in the hall. She’s in jeans and a slightly worn UCLA hoodie with her dark curly hair twisted into a topknot bun. A pair of black glasses frame her light brown eyes, and her cherry-red lips are pursed in concentration.
“Rita!”
She flinches when he calls her name, and corrects her slouch. “Yeah?”
“Have you heard anything good from Chet tonight?”
“Definegood.”
“Something that will make America cheer when Emily sends his ass home.”
Rita grins. “In that case, yes. Yes, I have.”
The man is a walking steroid, more muscles than brains. His biceps are so overinflated they might burst. He’s a practical advertisement for toxic masculinity with the way he bench pressed Emily during their one-on-one time and then demanded a plate of cold cuts upon his entrance to the mansion. Jake spent five hours with him shooting B-roll footage, and it had been five hours of his life he would never get back, but even he was surprised by Rita’s next words.
“We have him on camera calling Emily ahot piece of asswho he wouldn’t mindbending over the couch.”
Jake’s fingers curl into fists. “He actually said that?”
“That’s not even the best part.” Rita smiles. “He must’ve thought the mics turn off in the bathroom, or that we wouldn’t use the audio, because he gave himself a little pep talk in the mirror and it’s…” She trails off and lifts her fingers to her lips.Chef’s kiss.
“Excellent.”
Jake’s wheels spin. He speaks into his comm. “Nina, can you keep Emily and Cooper in the same room for the next five minutes? I’m working on something.”
“Care to tell me what?”
