Page 84 of The Cuffing Game
“Catherine Ji-ah Yoon,” she said, “Noahis way too old for you.”
Cara started arguing back, and Mia was smiling at the familiarity of watching her sisters bicker when she had a horrifying realization.
“Wait,” she said. “How did y’allallwatch the show? You couldn’t have unless you watched it on the living-room TV. And that means...”
“That your dad and I watched it, too.” Mia almost dropped her phone as their mom came into view.
“It’s quite impressive, dear,” she continued. “When I was your age, I was just trying my best to sneak into frat parties.”
“Tried that,” Mia quipped. “Didn’t like it.”
She winced the moment the words came out of her mouth. Her mom hadcomplimentedher work for the first time in her life, andthat’show she’d responded to her? Old habits sure died hard.
Her mom gave her a tight smile. “Well, we all have our own likes and dislikes.”
“And weallliked your show,” Jeannette replied, grabbing her phone away and saving the day as usual. “Even Dad.”
“Daddy was gasping and yelling the entire time.” Lola snickered. “Like he was watching a Cowboys game.”
“Anyway,” Jeannette said, taking the phone and walking away from everyone else, “we’re all so proud of you, and if Noah doesn’t comerunningafter all that, well, screw him! He’s not that cute.”
“Except he is,” Cara hissed.
At least three different voices shushed her.
“Thanks, y’all,” Mia said, wiping away the tears that had started falling from her eyes again. She could barely process what had just happened in the last ten minutes, but she was grateful for everyone’s support, nonetheless. “My flight gets in tomorrow afternoon, so I’ll see you soon.”
“Can’t wait,” Jeannette said, blowing her a kiss. “Good luck with today’s live stream! We’ll be waiting for you at DFW in our Dolly Parton Christmas sweaters.”
“Please don’t,” Mia groaned.
“Come on, I know you secretly love them. We bought you one, too!”
A small smile crossed her lips as she thought back to how, just a few days ago, she’d sadly looked at her family’s matching sweater pics, hoping they hadn’t forgotten about her. Now, all of that seemed silly. Of course they hadn’t.
“Okay, I’ll allow it. See y’all soon.”
“Love you!” exclaimed her sisters in varying pitches and volumes.
“Love you too.”
By the time they ended the call, the light of the late afternoon sun had started coming through the curtains of her room.
Mia got out of bed. It was time for the finale ofThe Cuffing Game.
She used another of Celine’s videos—one that Celine hadpersonallyrecommended to her—to achieve what she thought was her best look yet: a face full of makeup that actually accentuated her features, a sleek white evening gown, and her favorite pair of red heels. She felt good about her outfit, even more so when her friends did double takes when she walked down onto the beach.
Alex whistled, and Kallie exclaimed, “Damn, Mia!”
Even Damien gave her an approving smile. “Now, let’s finish this show of ours.”
Mia smiled back and nodded at her friends.
Damien and Kallie had set up two tables on the beach: one with a camera connected to the laptop they were using for the live stream, and another smaller, decorated one where the cuffles were going to have their final dates. Everything looked beautiful under the golden hour light. The brilliant white tablecloth, the glass candle holders sparkling in the sunshine, and the bright bouquet of pink and red flowerscapping the middle of the table. Even the equipment on the other table looked gorgeous in the setting sun. Or at least it did to Mia.
Carlos and Violet, the first cuffle for today, came down in their evening finest. Carlos was in a white tuxedo while Violet wore a bright yellow dress that glowed golden in the sun.
When the contestants and crew were all ready, Mia took a deep breath and stepped into the frame. Going live was nerve-racking, but in a good way. The adrenaline cleared Mia’s head of all distractions.Includinga certain frat boy with a cute smile.
