Love Elimination Read online

  Did Luke know? Every word had been supportive, kind and reassuring. He sounded scared for her. Was he a good actor or was he a puppet just like the rest of them, as he’d said? As they broke apart, a medic told her to sit back down. Another crew member supplied an umbrella, stabbing it into the ground. Anna and Luke were given water and asked a series of medical questions. Anna’s body refused to cease its violent quaking.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Luke said as they finished. ‘The next part of the date is very relaxing. We’ll find a nice shady spot and have a picnic.’

  Anna wanted to say no, but her lips refused to form the words. The fight had left her body.

  ‘Come on.’ He led her up the beach like a child. They only walked a little way along the sand and into the palm trees. The branches and their leaves offered a denser shade than Anna would have thought before seeing them. Beneath one of the trees was a red and navy tartan picnic rug. Sitting on top was a brown wicker basket. Anna took a seat next to Luke and he pulled out a bottle of wine.

  ‘Drink?’ he asked and Anna nodded vigorously. Alcohol was exactly what she needed. She accepted a stemmed glass and gulped down the rich red wine.

  ‘That’s better,’ she murmured.

  ‘So, is this officially the worst date you’ve ever had?’ Luke scratched at the makings of a beard on his cheek.

  ‘Oh, it’s up there.’

  ‘Come on. What could be worse?’

  ‘I caught my boyfriend hooking up with my best friend at the formal?’ Anna rubbed her temples, feeling her body slowly relax. She watched as Luke fished plate after plate out of the basket, placing each on the picnic blanket. The gourmet selection should have had Anna’s stomach begging for the first taste.

  ‘Okay, that is worse.’

  ‘I didn’t say worse. They probably draw for the most terrible date of all time.’

  The honesty strategy was earning her curious looks from the Love Elimination staff and sidelong glances from Luke Westwood himself. Anna smoothed her hair down on either side of her face. She just wanted to go home, back to the privacy of her tiny, understocked kitchen. If she had to be a bitch to get there, maybe that was the way to go.

  ‘That’s harsh. Are you hungry?’ Luke asked, examining the sheer quantity of food.

  ‘Sure.’ As much as her stomach revolted at the idea of eating, the hopeful look on his face was irresistible; denying him would be like denying a child a simple smile.

  He loaded up her plate until she had a bit of everything and she changed her mind about the food as soon as the first bite met her taste buds.

  ‘Stop,’ the director interrupted. ‘The food is just there for the scene. Don’t eat it.’

  ‘She’s had a shock, Joe. Let her eat the goddamn food,’ Luke growled.

  ‘The microphones—’

  ‘Screw the microphones.’ He held his fork to Anna’s mouth and she took another bite. Then he angled their bodies so she’d be able to ignore the cameras, sitting just beyond the picnic blanket.

  ‘So, do you have siblings, Anna?’ he asked, smiling—probably because he knew the answer. They were adults playing make-believe. In a fake picnic, with food as props rather than for eating, and a conversation that was one small step from being scripted.

  ‘One. A sister.’

  ‘Older or younger?’

  ‘Four years older.’

  Sooner or later she’d have to ask him a question in return. Every instinct was to fall into the natural rhythm of conversation. Her common sense fought for control.

  ‘Do you get along?’ He leaned over Anna to lower a carrot into the garlic and chives dip. She held her breath as his skin brushed against hers.

  ‘Yes.’ She tried to keep her voice even and disinterested. ‘She’s my best friend. We live together.’

  Getting to know him wasn’t a good plan. What if he was actually the perfect guy? With a body like his, he didn’t even need a good personality. The idea of him learning more about her wasn’t ideal either. He already knew enough to torture her. Anna had learned about dating shows from Kate and knew that the contestants that went on one-on-one dates rarely went home that week, or any time soon. And since flying under the radar wasn’t exactly working, she only had one option: she had to be someone who Luke really didn’t want to spend time with.

  Movement behind one of the cameras caught Anna’s eye. Kate was picking her way through the sand in high-heeled shoes. She stopped at Joe’s shoulder. Sensing the movement, he turned around. Anna craned her neck, but she couldn’t make out much of Kate’s face or the director’s; her only clue was Kate’s sneaky glances, her eyebrows drawn in tight.

  ‘Cut.’ Joe spun around, failing to realise that Anna was already staring at him and not looking lovingly into Luke’s eyes. ‘Ten-minute break, everyone. Anna, can you come over here, please?’

  Anna got to her feet and left the picnic rug. Kate’s eyes burned into her. ‘Follow me,’ she murmured when Anna was close enough, before spinning and stomping back towards the ocean, stabbing the sand with her stilettos. Her lilac pencil skirt and white blouse were completely out of place on the tropical beach.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Kate hissed as soon as they were beyond earshot of the rest of the crew.

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Just play along. This is a date with the Luke Westwood! Act a little excited. A bit infatuated.’

  ‘What did you expect? I’m not going to reveal all my deepest desires to a man I don’t want to date in front of a million people judging from the comfort of their couches.’

  ‘You don’t have to spill your secrets. Just be the fun, positive, kind, intelligent person that you are.’

  Anna shook her head. Being that type of person would get her at least halfway through this show. Luke had a bunch of nasty and boring airheads to evict before getting around to the normal people.

  Kate scowled. ‘You haven’t been cooperating with the crew. The other producers are talking about reformatting the show around you as the cold-hearted, distant bitch that none of the girls like but who somehow captivates the man. Finish this date off the same way you’ve started and I won’t be able to save you in the editing room!’

  ‘At least I’ll get sent home,’ Anna said under her breath.

  ‘Is that what this is about?’ Kate clearly wanted to scream, but she settled for a strained tone. ‘You’re trying to get sent home?’

  ‘Yes! Did they tell you what happened today?’

  ‘Of course. So things went awry … You’re okay and they’ll be especially careful from now on.’ She paused. ‘Besides, I heard that Luke was the perfect gentleman. Or is that your problem?’

  ‘My problem is that adrenalin-inducing situations generate feelings of love. You told me that. Are you saying it was a coincidence?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Pretty exciting start to the series. I expect it’ll produce high ratings.’

  ‘That’s insane. As if we’d risk your life.’

  ‘It wouldn’t have been risking my life if the horse was trained to do that. If you were in control the whole time.’

  ‘You think I would do that?’

  ‘Maybe they just didn’t tell you!’

  ‘Stop it, Anna. You’re acting crazy.’ Kate grabbed her by the arms and shook her, letting go so quickly that Anna was too stunned to react. ‘It was an accident. Joe is terrified you’re going to leave and sue or speak to the media.’ She stepped back and crossed her arms. ‘I’m going to make sure you don’t become the villain. Pretty please help by giving them at least some footage of you being the sister I know and love.’

  ‘And you’ll make sure I get sent home soon?’

  Kate sighed. ‘I’ll see what I can do. Now, go back, ask Luke some questions about himself and be nice.’

  ‘Fine.’ Anna knew she sounded like a petulant three-year-old, but Kate rarely went all big sister on her and it was about as welcome as a rash on her face.

  They traipsed back to t
he set where Luke was standing behind the camera, talking adamantly to Joe.

  ‘Good. You’re here,’ the director called, projecting over the chatter and completely ignoring Luke. ‘Back to work, people!’

  A make-up person ran over and ‘fixed’ her face. Another did the same to Luke, spraying his face less than a second after warning him to close his eyes. Anna couldn’t help but giggle, and then laugh, when he opened his eyes and sneezed. She lowered herself onto the picnic blanket once again, taking care not to land in any of the plates of food.

  ‘And—ACTION!’

  ‘So, why did you decide to apply for the show?’ Anna asked before Luke could pry any further. Tension was barely simmering beneath the surface of the stares they were getting from Joe and Kate.

  ‘I have trouble meeting women who want a serious relationship,’ he replied after a hesitation. ‘I spend most of my time on the slopes. So most women I meet are on holiday.’

  ‘You don’t work with women?’

  ‘Not really. I coached men’s snowboarding. There aren’t that many women in the business.’

  There was something about his tone that Anna wasn’t buying. Whether it was a rehearsed answer, she couldn’t tell. But it didn’t add up. With his fame, fortune and hot body, he could have his pick. There would be plenty of gold diggers willing to oversee his pampered privilege for a credit card with no limit.

  ‘What about you? Why did you join the show?’

  Well, she stepped right into that trap. Now she would have to lie on national television. Ben would be sitting on his couch in fits of laughter, yelling at her through the screen.

  ‘I have the worst taste in men. Thought it might be a better idea to let someone else pick one for me.’

  ‘We’ve already covered the formal-date cheating. What else have you got on the list?’

  Anna smiled. ‘Hmm, let’s see. There was one who told his mother I was enormous. The first thing she ever said in my presence was, “Gerald, she’s not nearly as fat as you made out!” It was utterly humiliating.’

  The snort-turned-cough did little to disguise Luke’s amusement.

  ‘Oh! Another one moved into the flat I share with my sister—without consulting me, of course. Next thing I know there’s a guy with a ute helping my boyfriend transfer his washing machine into my home. Because our washing machine wasn’t powerful enough, apparently.’

  ‘That’s gold. You’re on quite a roll.’

  ‘Yep. But this plan is foolproof. I have had absolutely no say in selecting you.’

  ‘You never tried blind dates?’

  ‘I did. That was the washing-machine guy.’

  ‘Clearly your friends are just as bad.’

  ‘Very true. They were absolutely useless. I did try again,’ she said. ‘The next one left me for his ex. But—silver lining—he did marry her less than two months later.’

  ‘How is that a silver lining?’

  ‘At least he left me for a forever relationship. All’s fair in love and war.’

  ‘Do you believe that?’

  ‘Maybe. It’s true, isn’t it? If you cheat on your partner but then marry the person you slept with, it’s all justified. Isn’t it? It was love.’

  ‘I disagree.’ He shook his head. ‘There’s never an excuse for cheating. Just tell the person you met someone else, break it off, and only then do you move on.’

  ‘Sure, but if you don’t—all is forgiven pretty quickly when love is involved. People move on.’

  ‘I’m not sure I can be swayed on this one.’

  ‘If a man follows his lover to work every day to make sure she gets there safe, he’s a romantic. If he does that to a woman who doesn’t reciprocate his feelings, it’s stalking.’ Anna loaded up her plate with more food, accepting Luke’s help with the dishes closer to him.

  ‘What if you kill someone in defence of a loved one?’ she continued. ‘It’s not murder—it’s allowed.’

  ‘That doesn’t make it right.’

  ‘No, but it’s not exactly wrong either. It’s just forgiven. Because love is the ultimate excuse.’

  He rocked back and leaned on his palms, watching her intently. ‘So what have you done that needed forgiving?’

  ‘Absolutely nothing.’

  ‘You’ve never been crazy in love?’ The question was loaded for any first date—and even more so for a show about meeting Mr Right. Did he expect her to fall in love with him? Did he want her to? Anna couldn’t imagine any type of man she could love actually enjoying stringing along twelve—now eleven—beautiful women.

  ‘No,’ she replied. ‘What about you? Have you ever been in love?’

  The pause before his answer seemed different from before. Anna guessed he was searching for an honest answer rather than what audiences might want to hear. Or perhaps that was just her hoping that she wasn’t the only one working without a script.

  ‘I’ve loved a few girlfriends, but nothing to last a lifetime.’ Luke shrugged and lifted a hand to rub the back of his neck. ‘Is that really corny?’

  ‘Yes. I bet it’ll make it into all the promos for this episode.’

  ‘Good. I do have an arsenal of romantic one-liners, you know.’

  ‘You do? Okay, then. Shoot.’

  He laughed. It was a carefree, unrestrained sound that tunnelled inside Anna.

  ‘Prepare yourself.’ He cleared his throat. ‘You are the most beautiful thing I’ve set eyes on today, and we’re in a tropical paradise,’ he said. ‘Your smile lights up a room.’

  He didn’t look away and Anna squirmed under the intensity of his gaze. His words were making her stomach flip inside out. ‘Oh dear … That’s a three out of ten,’ she said.

  ‘You deserve the world.’

  She gave an exaggerated yawn. ‘You can’t afford the world. An island, maybe.’

  ‘If you were a star, you’d shine brighter than the sun.’

  She squeezed her palms together but didn’t break eye contact. He leaned forwards and took her hands in his, breaking her careful control entirely. Her heart fluttered wildly.

  Anna pulled her hands from his and held them up in surrender. ‘Woah, easy there, tiger.’

  ‘Whenever you bend over, the world stops to watch,’ he said with a sly grin, watching for her reaction.

  Anna snorted. ‘Inappropriate alert. This is a G-rated show! And you’ve well and truly given them enough footage to last the entire season. They can just use the sound bites any time something isn’t quite cheesy enough.’

  ‘Fine, but it’s your turn next time. I expect well-thought-out responses.’

  ‘You have an ego the size of a mountain,’ she muttered under her breath.

  ‘Absolutely. You don’t get to be an elite athlete without one. Sport is five per cent talent, ten per cent hard work and eighty-five per cent reckless confidence.’

  ‘Is that right?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘That makes total sense,’ she shot back. ‘You don’t look like a hard worker.’

  Luke inhaled sharply through clenched teeth, making Anna look up from her plate.

  ‘Ouch.’ But there was a smile in the corner of his lips.

  She was right about him. The guy was entirely laidback. He’d probably been the type of teenager who was never fussed by ‘your mum’ jokes and only ever did his assignments three days after the due date. Those kids used to drive Anna to contemplate guerrilla warfare. No school bag or prized possession would be safe from her wrath.

  All grown up, the type wasn’t any more appealing. If Anna had a billionaire dad bankrolling her life, she could afford to be relaxed and happy-go-lucky too. But some people needed to work their arses off for their dreams to come true. They didn’t get an elite career just handed to them.

  Since Love Elimination had stripped the contestants of all time telling devices, Anna didn’t know how much time had passed since she had first set foot on the beach. It hadn’t felt like long, but now she noticed more fidgeting an
d glancing at watches among the crew. Finally, the director called cut. He sent Luke in one direction and Anna in another. It took her from the moment their picnic ended to the final question in her post-date interview for Anna to realise what had happened. The happy, peaceful bubble inside her popped and all the anxieties came flooding back in. The crew had manipulated her and she’d fallen for it, whether Luke was part of the scheme or not. She’d almost broken both her legs, and she’d been distracted by gorgeous food and an even better looking man. Well, it wasn’t going to happen again.

  CHAPTER

  7

  The whole next day was dedicated to waiting for something to happen. Like most days on set, Anna was starting to realise. Anna spent what she thought was about one hour in the gym and three hours in the kitchen. She’d been trapped as she was cooking muffins. When she’d started, there’d been no one to disturb her enjoyment of the first-class appliances. But the moment she was elbow deep in flour, Yvette, Tallulah, Tamsen and Christina had surrounded her, shooting questions at her faster than a firing squad.

  ‘So, what happened on the date?’

  ‘Did he kiss you? Did you kiss him?’

  As if she would have said yes to one but not the other. As if she would’ve said yes at all. Lying about any physical intimacy was clearly the way to go. Kate had always said that, as she watched season after season of The Bachelor and Farmer Wants a Wife and Love at First Sight. Anna would be curled up reading a book or in the kitchen cooking, pretending to be oblivious as Kate would yell at the TV, ‘Never tell the other women you kissed!’ or ‘Just be considerate or better yet, their friend. You have to live with them for three months before he chooses you … if he chooses you.’ Of course, Anna had been listening and it was these gems of wisdom that stuck with her—usually as useless as knowing the first twenty elements on the periodic table or being able to count to ten in Japanese—they would come in handy in her current situation.

  ‘No, we didn’t kiss,’ she told them. They looked her up and down as if they could unravel the truth, malice in their eyes. Anna squirmed, despite having been honest.