Day 41
My datewith Lennon was filled with intense stares, inappropriate touching, and a lot of tongue. Hell, we ended the night rolling around on my bed, making out for the cameras.
And as soon as he left, I went in the bathroom and cried. Not because I didn’t enjoy kissing Lennon or felt anything for him, but because Jace is going to see the footage at some point in time, and it’s going to hurt him. He’s not going to understand. My only hope is that he’ll give me a chance to explain. That he’ll put two and two together and my text will be enough to keep him from shutting me out.
It’s a risk.
One I have to take.
I only hope I don’t lose more than I gain in the process.
At least today I don’t have to kiss anyone. My date is with Milo. He and I are just friends, and that’s how we are expected to play this the rest of the week. I can’t wait to hear how his date with Bella went last night. They were both nervous about pretending to start something.
I get it.
It’s out of the blue, and no one will be expecting it.
Which is why it works.
Viewers won’t bat an eye at Lennon and I getting together. But Bella and Milo... they won’t see that coming. That’s the point, though. To catch them off guard and then, when we make our final selections, rock everyone’s world.
We just have to keep our eye on the prize at this point. It’s the last day to make an impression. Lennon and I are sneaking out to meet each other later tonight and letting the cameramen follow us on purpose. Milo is sneaking into Bella’s villa and sleeping over. We have to make the most of this, and our time is limited.
But first I need to check on Bella. I was rattled after Lennon last night, and it’s my plan. I’ve kissed him before. Multiple times. Contemplated choosing him over Jace.
She has no interest in Milo.
Knocking on her door, I hear her holler for me to come in. When I open the door, I’m surprised to find not only her inside, wearing a skimpy tank top and short running shorts, but Milo. Shirtless. Looking like he just woke up.
“Good morning?” It comes out sounding more like a question than a statement.
“Hey,” Bella greets me, turning away and pouring a cup of coffee.
“What’s up?” Milo asks, leaning back against the couch, acting as cool as a cucumber.
Either they’re very good at acting or something between them has changed in the last twelve hours.
“I just came over to talk to Bella and see if she wanted to hang out by the pool for a little while,” I explain, taking the cup of coffee she’s handing me.
“That sounds like fun. I could use a relaxing day by the pool after yesterday,” she notes, making eye contact with Milo for a brief moment before averting her eyes.
Yeah, something has definitely changed or at least that’s what they want people to think. And if that’s the case, their acting skills are far better than I expected.
Bella slips into her room to change, but before she closes the door, I notice Milo’s discarded shirt on her floor. The same shirt he was wearing when we were at Gage’s villa yesterday.
“So how was last night? You two have fun?” I inquire, taking the seat next to him and lowering my voice.
“Yup.”
“Want to elaborate on that?”
“Nope.”
“Later?”
“Maybe.”
Our conversation is cut short when Bella reappears and tosses Milo’s shirt at his head. It covers part of his face but not his sinister smile.