Chapter 7

"Are you kidding? She can't stand me, ever since I ruined her doll! It's strange we lasted an hour and a half at all without going at each other on camera. What kind of couple are we supposed to be? Want the truth? I don't control myself when Catkin is around. At all. Don't tell me later I ruined everything."

"Don't be dramatic, little devil. You had amazing visual contact and a dynamic of attraction. I promise your jaw will drop when our guys edit it all together! You should have seen yourselves!"

"That was not contact. It was a short circuit," I snapped irritably. "With sparks and the smell of burned nerves."

"The viewers liked it, though."

"So if I push Catkin on camera all the way to the Red Button and she hits exit, you'll be fine with that?"

"Dennis, don't you dare ruin everything! You promised!"

"That's the problem. I did..."

I ended the call and tossed the phone onto my lap. Emotions were bubbling inside me like a shaken soda. If I did not get some air now, the cap would blow.

I got out of the car, took out my earbuds, turned on a playlist at high volume, shoved my hands into my trouser pockets, and stared at the dark sky over the studio.

I decided I would shake tomorrow's plan out of Allie despite all the rules. I did not intend to look like an idiot again.

Damn it. But that was exactly what I had to look like to help my sister.

If only I knew how Catkin would react to my "performance."

 
That night I dreamed of Diana. With her hair down, bare shoulders, and red lipstick on her lips.

She was lying beside me on the bed, propping her head on her hand, and looking straight at me.

Only she asked the question in her usual tone:

"So why are you staring at me like that, Demond? You don't like me, remember?"

I remembered. But I wanted to know the answer too: why.