Her eyes narrow. “What does that have to do with anything right now? We’re talking about my show and how you totally made yourself look like a bitch.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Exactly. And I’m sure your viewers will understand when they find out I got matched with our high school’s number one Grade A douchebag.”
Clearly confused, she gapes at me, but then it’s like a lightbulb goes off in her head. “Oh my God.” She slaps a hand over her mouth and slowly drops it. “Hudson Bryant. He’s the one who broke your nose.”
Erin graduated two years ahead of me so I know she doesn’t remember everyone in my class, but there’s no way she could forget him. I nod. “Yep. And here I am spending my time in paradise with a guy I hate.”
Groaning, she sits down on the couch. “I can’t believe this.”
I open the refrigerator and toss her a mini bottle of tequila. “Drink that. It’ll help. It’s the only thing getting me through the night.”
Sitting beside her, I clink my bottle against hers. She sighs and downs her tequila. “I am so sorry, Allie. I really had high hopes that you’d be matched with your soulmate.”
I scoff. “Erin it’s a TV show. I love you and all but playing matchmaker on live TV isn’t the way to find a soulmate.”
She shrugs. “You never know.”
The room starts to spin, and I welcome the feeling. The one thing that sucks is that Hudson and I are going to be together on live TV every single day. The show isn’t just a once a week ordeal. No, this one is a two-week special. There are no lines to memorize or cue cards to read. This is all real. “I just wish there was a way to get rid of him,” I mumble more to myself than anything. Erin jerks up and gasps. I grab my chest and stare at her as if she’s lost her mind. “What are you doing?”
Her lips spread wide. “Allie, I have an idea. You just have to get through the day with Hudson and through the interview together tomorrow night and you’ll be golden.”
With a heavy sigh, I lean my head against the couch. “Interview? You mean I have to sit next to him and answer questions?”
I look over at her and she nods, but there’s a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “This could work to your advantage, Allie. In the interview, make sure you tell everyone about your past with Hudson. That’ll get the viewers on your side. Right now, they don’t like you very much.” Great, that’s exactly what I wanted to hear. “I have an idea though,” she says, getting to her feet, “but I have to run it by my team first. In the meantime, deal with Hudson as best you can.”
She holds out her hand and helps me up. The room spins even more. “What are you going to do?” I ask her.
Her grin widens. “Don’t you worry, little sis. I’ll take care of everything.” Turning on her heel, she leaves, and I flop back down on the couch. The show itinerary is on the coffee table and I groan as I look at tomorrow’s schedule.
8 a.m. – Breakfast with match.
9 a.m. – Choose envelope for the day’s adventure.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Adventure Time.
6 p.m. – Dinner with match – NO cameras.
8 p.m. – LIVE interview.
I toss the itinerary back onto the coffee table. “I’m so not looking forward to this.”
* * *
Morning comes way too fast. The flowers I assume were left by Hudson are now in the trash where they belong. If he thinks that’ll work with me then he has a lot to learn. Ricardo and Annabelle knock on my door bright and early to do my hair and makeup. They don’t do much since I’ll probably be spending most of the day on the beach and in the ocean. At least, that’s what I’m assuming since we’re in Aruba.
It’s 7:50 a.m. and I dread having to meet Hudson for breakfast, but I have no choice. There’s a camera guy already at my door waiting for me to leave. The good thing is that everything I do won’t be shown on tonight’s show. They’ll have to edit out a bunch of today’s events in order to fit it all in tonight’s segment. I know it shouldn’t bother me about what my sister said last night, but it does. I don’t want the world to think I’m a bitch after how I acted last night. I’m not the one in the wrong. Yes, Hudson is clearly a womanizer by the way he acted towards me last night, but apparently, the viewers think it’s charming. It makes me so mad. That’s not the kind of guy I want.
Taking a deep breath, I look at myself in the mirror one last time. My hair is pulled high in a ponytail and there’s only a brushing of bronzer on my face. I have a teal bikini on underneath my yellow floral sundress and a pair of flip flops. Very beachy.
When I open the door, the camera guy steps back and smiles. He looks to be in his late forties with shaggy salt and pepper hair. His nametag says his name is Stan. “Good morning,” I say.
He nods. “Morning, Ms. Wood. I’ll be the one following you around today. My partner, Jean, will be with Mr. Bryant. For the most part, we’ll be out of your way. Just carry on as if we’re not even around.”
Like that’s even possible. I smile and start down the hallway toward the elevators. Stan gets in with me and when we get off, I slowly make my way to the designated area where I’ll be meeting Hudson. From what I read on the itinerary, all the couples will be in different spots at the resort to limit interaction. They want each couple to not feel pressured
