Page 64 of His Choice

“Of course,” I agreed, relieved that a relationship with Brighton might be possible after all.

Marv interjected. “Boys, we’ll cut my voice from the final edit. But this might be a good time for you two to find an excuse to kiss.”

Brighton blushed. “This is all quite awkward, isn’t it?”

“It is.”

“Resume from the part of the conversation where you both understand Brighton could relocate to the States,” Marv instructed.

I slid my chair so that I was sitting to Brighton’s side. “Is this okay to be closer while we eat?”

He smiled. “It’s perfect.”

I leaned over and took his chin in my hand, then kissed him tenderly. It was brief, but sweet. Brighton looked at me like I was something special. I’m sure my expression mirrored that I felt the same of him.

Chapter Eighteen

Mikey

“Are you upset about not winning today?” Aaron asked, once he and I had settled into bed for the evening.

I was staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about what Cliff and Brighton might be up to, or how I might compare to Brighton in Cliff’s mind.

“Upset wouldn’t be the right word,” I answered. “Maybe worried that you were right when you said I was chosen the first night because I was the throwaway. Cliff could be laying the groundwork for choosing Brighton, now that we’ll be wrapping things up in a couple of days.”

Aaron turned on his side so he could face me. “I told you I was sorry for saying that. I was repeating what Daryl told me.”

“Don’t remind me of him,” I begged, the memory of his taunts still fresh in my mind.

“Then let me remind you what Cliff said. When he spoke to me on the bus, he promised that he chose you because you won that challenge, that he likes you a lot, and there was no other agenda. As for today, well…he can’t select you every time. It wouldn’t be much of a show if he did, would it?”

“So, you think Brighton is a throwaway for the sake of keeping viewers’ interest?” I asked, hopefully.

He sighed. “No.”

“Oh.”

“Mikey, I think it’s between you and Brighton,” Aaron added. “Think about it. During the first two challenges, Cliff singled out the same three people—Brighton, me, and you. Well, we know Cliff isn’t going to choose me since he knows my secret.”

“He told Dani that he did a good job,” I pointed out. “I could hear what was being said, even if I was behind a curtain. These protruding ears come in handy.”

Aaron lightly flicked a finger against my arm. “Are you back to putting yourself down again?”

“Ow,” I complained, though he’d barely touched me.

He ignored me. “I heard him, too. And his comment sounded the way a father says ‘good job’ to his baby for having successfully swallowed applesauce. It was condescension packaged as praise. Even I’ve gotten to know Cliff well enough to understand that he wants someone more traditional than Dani.”

“Alex and Ted are pretty conventional,” I reminded him.

Aaron squinted at me. “Dull and Duller? Once they open their mouths, they have the sex appeal of head lice. No way are they in contention.”

“I’m pretty sure Daryl isn’t either,” I admitted.

Aaron snorted. “I thought he at least had decent looks going for him. Then he showed off that ass—flat and hairy. Nasty, just like his personality.”

I snickered. I couldn’t imagine Cliff being aroused by the BDSM garb, regardless of how Daryl looked near-naked. “Some guys think a hairy ass is hot.”

Aaron scowled. “Would that include you?”