Read Online Falling for You by Heather Thurmeier - Free Book Online Page B

The expression he’d worn during the dinner challenge had returned and seeing it again made her feel sick. And knowing she was the one who caused that expression — that her relationship with Brad had caused it — made her feel even worse. She didn’t want Evan looking at her like that. There were plenty of ways he’d looked at her already that were great … desire, amusement, even concern. This — whatever this expression was — wasn’t one of them.
    “And for the record,” Chip continued, stealing Cassidy’s attention back, “we had no prior knowledge of this either. We’re just as surprised by this as you are. I assure you this was not a stunt set up by us. Now, does anyone have any questions?”
    “Why did they break up?” Savanna asked.
    “I don’t think we need to discuss that right now. If you have questions you’d like to ask about their relationship, I suggested you ask Cassidy or Brad directly. However, I sincerely hope we can simply put this behind us.”
    “I think it’s fine Cassidy’s still here,” Zoe said. “I mean, Brad didn’t want her the first time around, so I doubt he’ll want her a second time. She wasn’t a threat, anyway.”
    “Thanks, Zoe. Why don’t you tell us how you really feel?” Cassidy asked. “Hey, while we’re getting things out in the open, maybe we should also talk about how Zoe’s a reality TV celebrity already.”
    “We know,” Lauren said. The other girls nodded, unconcerned.
    Cassidy stared at them, shocked. And annoyed. Had she been living in a hole for the last six months? How was she the only one who didn’t know about Zoe until now? “And we’re okay with this? We don’t think this is a huge advantage to her?”
    “I have a lot of advantages over you. Being on TV before is only one of them. So really, why worry about it?” Zoe asked, looking at her as if Cassidy was a sad, lost puppy. “Feeling a little jealous, honey?”
    Great. Now I’m the jealous, bitter girl.
    “Nope.” Cassidy laughed weakly. “Have any tips for us?” She didn’t want tips, but she didn’t want to be seen as jealous either.
    “We’re done for tonight,” Susan the PA said, stepping in to finish for Chip who’d already walked away. “The show airs tomorrow evening, then America gets a few hours to call in their votes. The next day we find out who stays and who goes home. Any questions?”
    The girls remained silent.
    “Get some sleep and enjoy your day off tomorrow.” Susan eyed Evan, almost glaring at him before turning and wandering away, leaving the girls on their own to deal with the aftermath of Brad’s decision and the news of his previous relationship with Cassidy.
    Odd. What the heck did Evan do to piss off the PA?
    Cassidy’s gaze flickered from Susan to Evan. Funny, he didn’t seem surprised by her attitude. What was going on between them?
    • • •
    Evan leaned back against the half wall separating the pool from the rest of the grounds. He panned his camera around the pool and chairs, taking in a general overview of the area.
    The girls were enjoying their day off sunbathing by the pool. Everywhere he turned, women in bikinis lounged, sipping fruity drinks and cooling off in the pool.
    Life is good.
    He had followed Cassidy downstairs about an hour earlier. She’d eaten lunch with the other girls, chatting casually about Brad and the experience as everyone else speculated about which girl they believed America would choose to stay.
    “Seriously, I don’t know why his decision was so difficult,” Zoe had said, her usual tone of superiority and disinterest hanging in the air. She poured two packets of sugar into her iced tea and stirred.
    Cassidy whispered into Paige’s ear so quietly Evan could barely hear her through the mic. “How is she so skinny with so much sugar? I’m gonna gain a pound watching her drink that. Stupid Zoe and her stupid high metabolism.”
    Zoe sipped her drink and leaned back in her chair. “Only one girl can