Page 28 of Colton's Deadly Disguise (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“She reminded me that this is a fair process and my last name has no effect on my scores.”

“Here you go, Bella.” Another, kinder contestant with dark hair offered her a water bottle from the refrigerator.

“Thanks.” The cold bottle felt great against her forehead, her nape.

“I’m Marcie.” She smiled, her patience and kindness a welcome respite from the cattiness of the morning.

“Bella.”

“Don’t let them get to you.” Marcie unscrewed her water top.

“Who do you mean by them?”

“The ones who never make it to the top, but manage to ruin every pageant experience they possibly can. Like Selina. She used to compete, years ago, but never got any farther than Mustang Valley.”

“How do you handle it, all the criticism?”

“I remember why I’m here. I need the scholarship.” She was beautiful, with cornflower-blue eyes. “It’s unlikely I’ll get it this year, or even next, but my dance routine for the talent portion keeps improving and I get more confident with each try.”

Bella wondered if this woman knew Gio, but she’d met most of Gio’s pageant friends over the years, all of whom had dropped out by age twenty-five or so. Marcie appeared too young to have run with that crowd.

“How long have you been in pageants?” Bella worked at sounding casual, as if she needed a friend in this tough competition. What she really needed was a good source on the inside.

Marcie’s gaze shifted up and to the left as she thought. “Mmm, about three years now. I started right after high school. I’ve got a great job with Mustang Valley Health First, the insurance company. But I want to do more. Like you, I’d like to become a nurse, or even a physician’s assistant.”

“Couldn’t you apply for a scholarship through your workplace?” As soon as she asked, Bella bit the inside of her cheek. Marcie could throw the question back at her.

You’re a contestant. How did Holden do undercover work all the time? It was one thing to pose as a pageant competitor for this piece, where everyone knew she was also a blogger. But Holden had to pretend to be something he absolutely wasn’t. And he’d had to take guff from Selina Colton, the wicked witch of Arizona from all accounts.

Marcie shook her head. “My company only pays fifty percent of tuition. I need to support my mom and younger siblings. My father died two years ago and my mom has MS. She just had a flare so it’s been a rough year. I can’t afford to lose the hours at work right now.” Bella reminded herself that she’d give the scholarship to the runner-up if she found herself in the unlikely position of being crowned Ms. Mustang Valley.

“How are you managing work with the pageant?”

“We’re lucky that all the rehearsals and practices are on the weekends and evenings.”

Still, doing the mental math and comparing her own heavy work schedule to Marcie’s, Bella knew it was a major effort to handle both.

“Don’t look now, but you’ve got a sexy guy heading your way.” Before she could reply, Marcie slinked off and Bella turned.

“Can I have a word with you?” Holden’s presence filled up the room, or maybe it was her impression only. The rest of the women continued chatting and comparing notes on the day’s routine.

“Sure.” Was he going to say something about the obvious chemistry between them? She’d felt his gaze on her through the entire morning routine, and now, this close to him her skin tingled with his nearness.

This all had to be due to the high school building. It was saturated with the hormones and pheromones of students past and present, affecting her reaction to Holden.

She followed him out of the staff room and onto the stage, but in the far back, behind the heavy black curtains.

“It’s stuffy back here.” She made a show of tugging at her tank top, and immediately hated herself for it. Now was not the time to go all girly on Holden.

“What did Selina say to you?”

Sadly, her instinct was on-target. Holden hadn’t drawn her away for a quick romantic rendezvous. She ignored the rush of disappointment and let her arms drop to her sides.

“I’m surprised you weren’t able to hear the show she put on for everyone. She made it clear that I’m not getting any special favors for being a Colton.” She snorted. “I never have, for the record.”

“We’ll talk about that later. The next time someone asks to speak to you privately, make sure I’m within earshot.”

“You’re saying you weren’t?”

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