CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
London
“You have a date today,” Sal says as I approach the haunted house.
“All right.” Uncomfortable, I scrub my hand down my face. “Can I do it at Beau’s?”
“Yeah,” he agrees with a slight nod. “Shane is here, anyway.”
“Cool,” I mumble.
“The votes are in for the haunted house,” Sal informs me. “That’s who will go on the date.”
Leaning against the porch rail and crossing my arms, I ask, “All right, and then what?”
“They will be given tasks around the festival until you get back from your date.”
“Is it an elimination?”
“It is,” Sal says as Carlton joins us.
“Okay,” I mumble.
“Action,” someone yells, and I sigh, trying to prepare my camera-ready persona.
“Welcome back, everyone. Votes are in from last night’s haunted house,” Carlton announces. “As you know, the kids voted on the overall presentation and best costume.”
Everyone grumbles.
“The kids that voted had some okay things to say about the presentation. Hitting on a kid’s dad is not okay.” Carlton directs his gaze to the girls.
I just stand there, silent.
“Two won in best costume: Jacob and Hannah. You will be going on a date with London right now for lunch. Have fun.” He waves the three of us off as he gives the other contestants instructions for the day.
“Are we walking?” Hannah asks. She’s okay-looking with brown hair and light-green eyes.
“Yeah, it’s not too far. Problem?” I arch an irritated brow.
“No, just wondering,” she says with a start, abruptly shaking her head.
Directing my attention to Jacob, I ask, “What do you do?”
“I’m a lumberjack,” he says, and I mean, he looks the part: beard, tats, big arm muscles. He’s just shorter than me.
“Interesting,” I mutter, then shift my gaze. “And Hannah?”
“I’m a secretary,” she answers, her cheeks flushing pink. Well, she’s employed at least.
“Have you ever watched a fight?” I ask.
“On TV,” Jacob says as we arrive at Beau’s bar.
I usher them to the back booth, the same one where Scott helped me out.
“I honestly haven’t seen one,” Hannah admits.
“At least you’re honest,” I tell her as I motion for Beau to bring beers.