restaurant, I found myself smiling. I couldn’t believe that I looked as good as I did. I was no Clara, that’s for sure, but I appeared to know what I was doing, and I looked smooth and sexy while doing it. Now I only had to do it two more times—and make a decision that could be life-altering. No pressure there.
Chapter Fifteen
Harvey
I couldn’t sit still, so I paced the room. I was in a suite upstairs at the hotel, and I wandered back and forth between the bedroom, bathroom, and the sitting room. Two production staff were seated in the living room area, probably to keep me from jetting out of here.
How many contestants had tried to do that at the last minute—or would I be the first? A knock sounded on the door, and I wandered back into the bedroom area, assuming it was more production staff when I heard my name called and stuck my head around the doorjamb.
Greg was grinning over Maggie’s head as they entered, and behind them were Alex and Lexi, Trevor and Davina, Mike, Alice, Wyatt, Joe, and Jake.
“Damn, the gang’s all here.” I joined the group and collected hugs and back slaps. When I turned, Lexi was studying me carefully.
I raised a brow toward her as I waited for whatever comment was about to come out of her mouth. “They did a nice job on your eyes.”
I chuckled. “You think she will like me without all this makeup on?”
“Oh, please!” Maggie said. “She is going to like you any way you come.”
There were a few twitters around the group, and Alice and Lexi rolled their eyes. “You guys are such little boys sometimes,” Maggie said, then turned to me. “Are you ready to go out there and knock her dead?”
“Jesus, Maggie, don’t say that. I might drop her on her head and kill her.”
She smacked my arm. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
“It could happen.”
“You nervous?” Trevor asked.
“Yep.” I nodded dramatically. “I think I am more nervous about this five-minute dance than I ever was for any combat mission I undertook.”
“Yeah.” Jake laughed. “That’s because love is worse than war.”
I peered at Alice—well, most of us glanced her way—but she just stared back at me with no expression on her face. She was kind of amazing like that—I think you called that being unflappable.
“What would you even know about love?” Trevor asked Jake. “It’s not like you have ever been in love before.”
“Yes, I have!”
“Yeah, loving yourself and using your hand is not being in love,” Wyatt said, and everyone cut up laughing.
“Mr. Melton,” someone said from behind me. “It’s time to head down.”
“Aww.” Trevor grinned at me. “Our little boy is going off to find love on the dance floor.”
“Get out of here,” I snapped back at him playfully.
Everyone wished me well and threw me some taunts about breaking a leg and not paralyzing the poor girl before they said their goodbyes. I asked the production guys to give me a minute and went into the bedroom.
I sat down on the edge of the bed, closed my eyes, and tried to slow my breathing that had begun to gain momentum the minute they said it was time. Please do not let me drop this woman, and if it’s meant to be, let it be.
I slapped my thighs as I stood and stared at my reflection. “I got this.”
Downstairs, a lot was going on. More cameras, more crew, and this time, there was a small audience in a side room, where large television screens were up so bystanders could watch the filming. I heard Alex laughing as I walked by. I peered in and saw about thirty people milling around.
Holly found me as I entered another room. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
She hugged me tightly. “I know you will do great, Harv.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you nervous?”
“Very.”
She laughed. “I don’t think I have ever seen you nervous before. Who knew a date would get you this worked up.”
“It’s more than a date, Holly. It’s dancing in front of all these people, and not dropping her while trying to make a connection.”
Holly glanced around and stepped closer, lowering her voice. “Harv, you be yourself out there, and this will be perfect.” She kissed my cheek. “I’m pulling for you.”
She gave me a nudge toward the side and told me to prepare myself. It wasn’t five minutes later that they were getting me settled just inside the darkened room. In the center of the dance floor, there