Page 38 of Date The Billionaire

But I might lose the second part if I chose the first part. My eyes darted to Arabella and I knew what hatred was. She gave me a saucy wink and my hands clenched again. She made me feel so helpless and frustrated, the furthest thing from love there was. How could she take such delight in that torture?

How could one person be so bitter? I wondered as the cameras came back on and Skip walked into the room.

“It’s that time, folks, time for decisions to be made and for lives to change. Tonight, we’re going to learn who the fellas have picked as their mate, and we’ll also reveal which of these rather handsome gentlemen is going to give his lady the life of her dreams.”

He wandered in front of Trent, mic in hand, and eyed the man up and down. “Have you made a decision, Trent?”

“I have, Skip, and it’s going to be a shocker, I think.” Trent started to move but Skip stopped him.

“Don’t tell me yet, just wait a minute. Down, fella, don’t be so eager.” Skip winked at the camera and moved to David.

“And you, David? Our gentle soul with the spirit of a poet, have you made your choice?”

“I have, Skip,” David said plainly, giving nothing away.

“Are you anxious to reveal your choice?” Skip asked, a rather silly question if you asked me.

“I’ll be happy to get back to my normal routine, and I hope she accepts my choice, because I think she’ll be the perfect addition to my life, Skip. An amazing woman, she really is.” David winked back at Skip.

I stared at David in shock. Love really did change a man! Our serious David, always so quiet, had a playful side I’d never seen from him before!

“And what about you, Jake? I’ve heard you’ve had some difficulty making your choice.” Again, a toothsome grin and a wink for the camera. The man was incorrigible.

“I’ve come to the best decision I can, Skip. The only one I can possibly make really.”

“Good to hear, good to hear. Now…” Skip swung around to the ladies before he could go on. “Onto the ladies. Wow, you’re all so gorgeous, my dears. How are you? Ready to get on with this?”

We all nodded in agreement and Skip moved to the middle ground between us all.

“Now, gentlemen, I think it’s time we put our ladies and the audience out of their misery, don’t you?” He winked at us this time. I wanted to punch the man if he didn’t get on with it.

“David? Are you ready to reveal your choice?” Skip turned to David and waited.

I heard a squeak out of David and had to smother a chuckle.

“I am, Skip.” He was finally able to answer, his eyes already on the beaming Kelly.

“Then, please, reveal all to us now.” Skip dramatically flourished his hand in the direction of the women and David walked straight over to Kelly.

“Kelly, if you’ll have me, I want you to be my choice and my bride.” David went down on one knee as Kelly squealed and jumped with happiness, the music swelling dramatically around us.

“Yes, David, oh my God, yes!” She dragged him from his knees and a rather dramatic kiss began. Skip had to clear his throat to get them to stop.

“Well, there we go, folks, a rather dramatic turn of events there. Let’s see what our next bachelor can bring to our show. Jake, have you made your choice?” He turned to me with hard eyes and I froze.

Why didn’t they ask Trent first? I glanced at Laney and saw she didn’t look well at all. My heart broke for her, but I knew that it would soon be over. I straightened my back and chin and looked directly at Skip.

“I have, Skip. It wasn’t a hard choice, really.” I glanced up and saw Carol glaring down at me like an evil monkey and gave her a wink of my own. “I made up my mind a long time ago.”

I took my first step, a step toward Arabella, and carried on. She looked so damned smug, her head tilted in triumph, waiting for my kiss.

“Arabella,” I started, “you are one beautiful woman, there’s no doubt about that.”

I stood in front of her and took her hand. I heard a noise from Laney, but forced myself to ignore it. “You would make any man proud to have you on his arm. Your beauty is perfection, and you really should be on the cover of magazines.”

She pranced in place, accepting her due as queen of the ball as the music began to swell once more.

“But, inside, you’re a mess. And rather ugly.” She looked up at me, shocked into total silence. “Laney, on the other hand…”