Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Fox.” My name is hissed from Patrick’s mouth.
I shrug his way as Hannah takes the first place on the bus to queendom. Fake queendom. I don’t know what to call it.
Maybe I can get a takeaway bowl of pasta salad on my way out the door.
Although Patrick will likely rip the borrowed dress off me, shove me into overalls, and tell me to start cleaning up.
I hate this life.
“Emily,” the king announces and a stunning woman on the opposite side of the platform starts to make her way to him.
“Ashley W.”
I’m disappointed W got called before F, but I’m still certain my new friend will get one of those daisies.
My feet hurt and the cookie I’d downed is long gone as we move into the second hour. Joe has gotten two live streams in, and I’d stayed frozen through both.
“I heard the live stream already has over three million views,” someone on the second row says.
“I know. It’s super exciting. I just hope I don’t get cut on the live stream. That would be brutal,” someone else says.
It will be liberating.
At least that’s what I tell myself. This is nothing but a funny story to tell my friends. Or as a two truths, one lie. I bet I can get a lot of people with I was once rejected on a live stream by the king of a small European country.
“Reset. This time we’re going to eliminate a contestant since he’ll be letting go of several of you and I want you each to have some time onscreen.” Joe doesn’t look like he feels how late the night has become. He’s fresh as a daisy, and I’m trying not to yawn. I wonder how bad my eyeliner looks. After midnight I become a raccoon with smudgy eyes and a desperate need to eat some trash.
I can hear my stomach growl.
It’s not cute.
I look over and the women who will move on are standing there. It’s time for Luca to cut one of the remaining contestants.
Me. Let it be me.
“So if you hear your name this time, I’m sorry, but you’re not a good match,” Joe says and manages to sound sympathetic. He nods Luca’s way, and then we’re rolling again.
This is my moment. I can feel it. I’m going to give him my brightest smile and tell him I understand and wish him all the best, and then I’m going to use the bathroom.
I never knew how nice it was to simply be able to go whenever you want to. I’m going to throw these shoes at Christy, run to the bathroom, and then find my comfy clothes, elude Patrick, steal some of my mom’s food and eat it huddled on a subway seat. I’ll hiss at anyone who gets close, and New Yorkers know when a girl’s having a day. I’ll only have to worry about tourists, who will be unnerved at my state of unwellness…
“Chloe, I’m sorry. We didn’t have enough of a connection,” Luca says.
Bastard. He’s going to make me stand here. He’s a good king. If you like medieval torture kings.
Chloe cries and tells him he’s making a huge mistake. Some of the girls aren’t here for the right reasons but she was and… I stop listening to her. I’m focused on him.
He’s got a blank look on his face. Oh, he’s still handsome, and he’s making all the right moves. He holds her hand and nods as though he understands. He tells her he’s sorry.
This has to be crappy for him, too.
“I knew he would get rid of the fat chick,” Janice says.
“Oh, I suspect he’ll get rid of the bitch soon,” I shoot back as quietly as I can.
The woman in front of me turns slightly. “I like you, new girl. Janice is a straight-out bitch, and I hate using that word. It’s the only one to describe her, though.”
Janice rolls her eyes. “Sure. Tell yourself that, Riley.”
So she’s great with a comeback. I would say that to her but we’re moving on. The next hour passes and I’m thrilled that Ashley F gets picked and sad that Shelby does, too.
Another woman is cut, and she cries and asks him to reconsider. It’s painful to watch until she looks over at Joe and asks if that was good.
Luca looks tired.
And then it’s down to me and Janice.
“All right, this is it,” Joe instructs us. “We’re live in five, four…” Three, two, and one.
Luca stands there in his perfect tux, and I know he’s making this hard on me. He’s decided I did him dirty, and I can only hope he doesn’t need to go over all the reasons he’s cutting me.
“This is a difficult decision, ladies. You’re both beautiful and charming, and I’m sure you’re both queens in your own right. But I’m looking for something specific. I have to think beyond myself. My queen has to have more than grace. She must have kindness and a selfless streak.”