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Why are they talking like this? Before I can stop myself, I imagine Rhett coming in slowly, tilting my chin, stroking his thumb over my jaw like I’m something precious.

The room blurs. I might faint.

I fan my face to put out the fire that’s blazing hot across my skin. News flash: It does no good.

This must be what a full-body malfunction feels like.

I grab my purse and race to the door. Coco and Rowe look at me like I’ve just catapulted over the bed.

“You okay?” Rowe asks.

“Rest assured, I’m good. In fact, I’m more than good. I’m in complete and total control of my emotions. I’ve never been better.”

Rowe’s brow pinches in worry. “You sure?”

“Absolutely.” I give a hard nod of my head, doubling down on this lie. “And one more thing—I will not, under any circumstances, kiss Rhett Maddox tonight at the county fair. Not even if he wins me a giant teddy bear and feeds me cotton candy.”

And with that, I leave the suite and head downstairs for my date.

“Y’all know the audience expects a kiss, right?” Mina says when we reach the fair.

The live stream hasn’t started yet, and it’s a good thing, because my stomach’s twisted into a fist-sized knot.

“Excuse me?” Rhett asks, clearly stunned by this revelation.

“The audience will want a kiss. I mean, look at that fair.” Mina flings out her arms. “You’ve got a beautiful sunset about to happen, a Ferris wheel . . . Now, I’m not trying to push, but if you feel the moment’s right, the audience would love a little smoochy-smooch.”

She laughs lightly, and my stomach cramps even tighter.

Rhett smiles. “We will, um, put that into consideration.”

“Yes, just think about it. Now . . . there will be one phone live streaming. We will always be close, but we’ll try not to interfere with whatever you’re doing. Of course, we’ll also have moments when you can take a potty break. Just let us know when you need that, and we’ll hit the pause button. Are there any questions?”

Rhett looks at me, and all I can see are his soft lips. They suddenly take up his entire face, like they’re in stereo sound or something.

My body sways.

Rhett grabs my hand, and a bolt of electricity stabs me in the heart. I jump and he frowns. “You okay?”

“Me? Yeah, I’m fine.”

I’m just terrified of your lips entering my space and swallowing me whole. No biggie.

“And when we go live, can you both tell the audience about the bunnicorn? They’re going to freak out, because early polls say you’re the couple the audience is rooting for.”

Early polls? There are polls? Do the polls kiss each other?

I stare at Mina, unsure what to say. Rhett watches me for a moment and then turns to Mina. “I’ll be happy to talk about the bunnicorn. No problem.”

“Great. We’ve got two minutes until we go live.” Mina grins. “Take a moment and collect yourselves.”

Mina and her assistant take a few steps toward the fair. Rhett gives them a casual nod. “I need a moment with Cristina.”

He puts an arm around me and guides me a few feet away, out of earshot. “Are you okay?”

“Sure. I’m fine,” I say dreamily.

“You’re pale and look like you’re about to pass out.”