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worst.” Brad threw his head back dramatically.
    “What’s going on? Talk to me.” Spencer stared at Brad with concern.
    “It’s so hard to choose another girl. Two girls are bad enough, but to make me pick three feels impossible. I’ve been wrestling with this last choice in my head all night and I still don’t know.”
    “Take another minute and look at these women across from you.” Spencer held his hands out toward the women. “Think back to your dinner with them and about how you felt spending time with each one. Then, trust your instincts.”
    Evan held his breath as he watched Brad stare at the women. What he was thinking? Had he really not made a decision, or was he being overly dramatic for the viewing audience?
    All of the girls looked nervous. Even cool Zoe looked as if she’d had better moments. She stood there rubbing the pendent on her necklace between her fingers, almost like it brought her some kind of comfort.
    Brad seemed to stop at Cassidy.
    Evan’s heartbeat stuttered. Move on, dude. Don’t do it.
    “Okay, I think I’m ready.” Brad kept his eyes on Cassidy as he spoke.
    “Go ahead.”
    Evan’s heart sank. Oh no.
    “I have to send … Lauren to the bottom three,” Brad said, finally shifting his gaze from Cassidy to Lauren. “I’m really sorry.”
    Evan exhaled, relief washing over him. He focused his camera on Cassidy’s face only to find her staring at him. Was it his imagination, or did it seem like she suddenly had a weight lifted off her shoulders?
    Cassidy smiled at him — different than the other times she’d smiled into the camera. This time, it seemed like she gazed past the camera to him personally, almost as if she were trying to send him a message.
    Evan couldn’t help but smile back. Message received — she’s happy to stay.
    “Okay, Lauren, please join Julia and Courtney.” Spencer motioned for the three girls to move in closer. “I’m sorry, ladies, but you’ve been chosen for the bottom three. Only one of you will continue on with the hopes of being chosen as The One.”
    Spencer turned away from the women to speak directly into a camera near the edge of the gathering. “America, now it’s your turn to have your say. That’s right. You get to vote for who you’d like to stay. Dial the number you see on your screen. Press one for Julia. Press two for Courtney. Press three for Lauren. You can also log onto our website to cast your vote or text your vote to the number you see now. The lucky lady with the most votes will continue on this journey to find out if she is … The One.”
    Spencer paused, smiling into the camera for what seemed like an abnormally long pause. “How was that?” he asked Chip who was standing beside the camera. “Are we good for tonight?”
    Chip nodded and gave a thumbs-up sign. “Can you take Brad back to makeup for a touch-up before we film his challenge and ceremony recap segment?”
    “Sure thing. This way, Brad.” Spencer led him back to the makeup area.
    Chip turned to the women. “Ladies, if I can have your attention.” He waited for them to quiet down again. “We’ve learned some interesting news today and we think it’s important to fill you in.
    “Today, at the first challenge, it came to light that our bachelor Brad and our contestant Cassidy were previously in a relationship together.”

Chapter Seven
    Chip held up his hands to calm the women. “Now, I know you’re thinking this puts you at a disadvantage because they have a history together. However after much consideration, we think it won’t affect the competition and we’re allowing Cassidy to continue as a contestant. Brad still has to decide if he likes her and wants her to stay as much as he has to with anyone else. Before anyone asks — no, they are not still an item, right, Cassidy?”
    “No,” she replied softly, uncomfortable talking about her former relationship with Brad. “We broke up six months ago.”
    Cassidy chanced a peek at Evan.