Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“It is. They’ll flirt, they’ll try to kiss you, which will probably make Kipton uneasy, but keep reassuring her that you love her…if you’ve already told her so.”
Smiling, I nodded. “I have.”
Dad shook his head slowly, a fond look on his face, and then gave me a playful push. “My baby. In love.”
I rolled my eyes. “You sound like Mom.”
He wrapped his arm around my neck and pulled me close with a laugh, giving me a quick hug and a slap on the back. “You’ll always be our baby, Hunter. Come on, your mother wants to see you before you start your day with this fucking show.”
It was my turn to laugh.
I stood off to the side and watched as Kipton got ready to go live. She looked beautiful in jeans with cream-colored boots and a white turtleneck. She wore a long, suede-looking blazer, and her light brown hair was pulled up into one of those sloppy-looking buns that still looked good. Or maybe that was just because it was Kipton.
“Welcome back to another live edition of Swipe Right. Tonight’s date night for Hunter, as you know. Normally, I reach into our little bucket of names and pull one out…but not tonight.”
I glanced over to the women who were all sitting on hay bales. Their smiling faces turned to confused expressions.
“It appears, viewers, that you’d like to see Hunter go on a date with—me.”
A few of the girls gasped, some smiled, and some looked really pissed off. Kimber was one of the pissed-off ones.
That was my cue to walk over to Kipton—which I missed. Jack barked in my ear to move. I flinched slightly and made my way over.
When I reached Kipton, I kissed her on the cheek, like I did with all the others. “Hey, Kip.”
That I hadn’t done before. Used her nickname on air. Shit.
“Hunter, last week, the show did a little poll after the Vegas group date, asking the audience who they’d like to see you go out with next. Oddly enough, they chose me.”
I smiled. “I don’t think it’s odd.”
She lifted her brows. I thought she’d ask why, but instead, she just asked, “Are you ready to see what our date’s going to be?”
I prayed the audience at home couldn’t tell I was holding my breath. Jack was the one who planned all the dates, but I could easily see Travis adding something to make it awkward for me and Kipton.
She reached into the bowl and pulled out the token, quickly reading it. Looking up at me, she grinned. “Looks like we’re having movie night back at your place.”
I slowly exhaled. “Sounds like fun—but only if you let me pick out the movie.”
Kipton laughed, and it was genuine, not the one she put on for the camera. Turning the token for me to see, she said, “Sorry. It says I get to pick the first movie.”
Shaking my head, I said, “Figures. Then let’s start the date.”
She turned back to the camera. “Alright, folks, your wish is our command. We’ll see you back here in a bit. Meanwhile, let’s head on over to the girls’ house and see how they spent their day getting ready for this evening.”
The camera light went off—and the barn erupted into a frenzy of women complaining.
“She’s the host! You cannot be serious about letting them go on a date!” Kimber shouted.
I drew back in surprise. It wasn’t in her character to act that way. She’d complained about the cold on our group date, but I’d never seen her act outright bitchy.
“Oh, take a chill pill, Kimber,” Bekah said. She and I had yet to go on a date…and I had to admit, I was hoping if we got the chance, she’d bring more of those cookies she’d given me on intro night. “They’re doing what the viewers want. It’s the whole point of a poll. Besides, I think Kipton and Hunter make a cute couple.”
Kipton and I both just stared at the woman as Bekah winked at us.
“Yeah, I think it’s kind of fun to shake things up a bit.” That came from Mollie. According to Jack, she was going to be the next “surprise” date. I wasn’t sure why he’d told me. Either he just figured the ruse was up, or it was a slipup on his part.
Kimber, clearly realizing she was outnumbered, scowled at the women, then forced a smile in my direction. “Well…have fun at movie night.”
“Kipton, Hunter, we need to get moving!” Jessie said, with Larry, my production assistant, hot on her heels.
They whisked us into the limo, where we both stuck to mundane topics. I just had a feeling the car feed was going out live at the moment, instead of being recorded. Kipton must have also.
Once the limo pulled up to the guesthouse, I got out, then extended my hand to help Kipton.