The Engagement Game Read online

  Delaney smiled back, and it was a smile Carin recognized. The same one she’d seen on the lips of the woman behind the checkout counter. “I’m Delaney.” She extended a hand for him to shake. “You’re Carin’s fiancé?” Although Bozier still looked disgruntled, Delaney’s gaze moved over Jake as though she were imagining how he might look naked.

  Carin felt a lump forming in her throat and told herself not to be silly. So Jake was the one the casting director liked. Did it matter, if it meant she could get a chance to impress Bozier?

  Still, it took everything she had not to put her hand up to her scars. Instead she reached into her handbag and pulled out an envelope containing her head shots and acting CV. She’d also had her favorite portrait of Jake enlarged and printed. It’s wasn’t a normal headshot, but close enough.

  She thrust the envelope at Delaney. “I have our credentials right here, in case you’re interested. Why don’t you take a look on the flight? We’ll see you at the other end, because we’re visiting my sister for a vacation. Nothing to do with your filming, except that we’d love to play a part in the show if one’s available. We’ll be there, after all, on hand and doing nothing in particular. And if you decide to cast us, you won’t regret it.”

  Of course, both Delaney and Bozier could see through her transparent ploy. But who cared if they knew she was desperate enough to fly to where they were filming on the off-chance they’d cast her? It meant she was enthusiastic and determined. Hopefully a point in her favor.

  Bozier turned toward the gate. “Come on, Delaney.”

  Before following, the casting director gave Jake one last, lingering glance. Jake didn’t seem to notice. When they were gone, he turned to her with a frown. “If the actors and crew are staying at Rosa’s resort, where are we going to stay?” he asked.

  “Rosa and Dalton have a spare room at their place.”

  “One room?” For some reason, that seemed to disturb him more than pretending to be her fiancé had. “Tell me there are two beds.”

  Carin shrugged. “We’re engaged, remember? Think of this as a honeymoon for friends. A friendy-moon. I’ll be fun, I promise.” She tucked her hand in his arm. Now her plan was in action, she couldn’t help but feel hopeful again. Whatever happened now, she’d reminded both Bozier and Delaney Short who she was. Next time there was an audition, they might recognize her and take a little more notice.

  Even if nothing come of it, it still felt good to be doing something more than just waiting tables in the coffee shop, whiling away the days until her agent managed to get her another long-shot audition. This adventure was almost like being in one of the stories she made up for the kids, only instead of slaying dragons, she was off on a quest to capture the TV role she wanted. A much tougher task.

  Jake grunted, still looking unhappy. “Even if you manage to get us on this show, I’ll stay for a week at most. It’s not like the times you’ve dragged me shopping and promised we’d only go to one store. This time, I really will put my foot down.”

  She squeezed his arm. “Cheer up, Jake. After a week in paradise, you won’t want to leave.”

  6

  Though they were on the same flight to Fiji, Carin didn’t see the director or casting director again. Bozier and Delaney were seated in the small premium class section of the plane, so they disembarked first, then vanished. No doubt they’d grabbed their luggage and piled into the water taxi Rosa had arranged for them, leaving Carin and Jake to catch the regular ferry to Lantana Island. Carin tried not to read too much into the fact they hadn’t offered to take her and Jake with them, seeing as they were all going to the same place. Maybe it just hadn’t occurred to them.

  When she and Jake got to Lantana Island, Rosa and Dalton were waiting for them on the wharf. Carin hugged her sister and introduced Jake to Dalton. She couldn’t help but smile at the two men as they shook hands.

  Dalton was dark and rugged-looking, with a scar running through one of his eyebrows, and black hair that was slightly shaggy. Jake was clean-cut, with slightly lighter hair and much lighter eyes. They were both handsome, but Jake was leading man material, while Dalton was more of a character actor. Shaking hands, they made her think of Captain America meeting Wolverine. Jake was Chris Evans, of course, while Dalton had a hint of Hugh Jackman about him. All they needed were a few accessories. Claws for Dalton and a shield for Jake. Oooh, and a skin-tight lycra suit. She snickered. Now that would be a sight worth seeing.

  “What’s funny?” asked Rosa, nudging Carin with her shoulder.

  “Hmm?” Carin blinked innocently. “Oh, I’m just glad to see you guys. You and Dalton both have impressive tans.”

  Dalton took Carin’s bag and the four of them strolled up the wharf toward the resort. “Did you talk to Bozier already?” Rosa asked Carin as they walked. “Think you have a chance of getting on the show?”

  “Probably not,” said Carin. “But I’m glad I came. Aren’t you, Jake? Isn’t it beautiful here?” She swept her arm around, taking in the sparkling blue sea, white sand, and the palm tree fronds lifting lazily in the breeze. Even if her plan failed, she didn’t regret depleting her meagre savings to get here and see her sister.

  The resort was set along the beach. A line of small round huts with thatched roofs, called bures, were nestled amongst the palm trees. In the middle of the bures were the restaurant and bar, with a swimming pool. Though why anyone would want to swim in the pool when the sea looked so inviting seemed a mystery. Unless there were sharks. She’d have to ask Rosa about that.

  “It’s nice here,” admitted Jake. He’d been too quiet on the plane, but now they’d arrived, his mood seemed to have lifted. Mind you, it was impossible to be grumpy in such a gorgeous place.

  “I can’t wait to show you all the work we’ve done,” said Rosa. “The new bures have been a big hit, and we’ve barely had any vacancies all year. Lots of weddings, and now this TV show. We’ve been rushed off our feet.”

  “Speaking of weddings.” Carin wagged her finger at Dalton. “I can’t believe you haven’t proposed to my sister yet.”

  “There’s been too much disruption with all the building work. But now it’s done.” Dalton slid his arm around Rosa’s shoulders. “If people would stop bringing it up, maybe I’d get a chance to surprise her.”

  Carin normally found Dalton a little stern, and, truth be told, a little scary. But the way he looked at Rosa made her feel warm in the pit of her stomach. One day, would someone look at her like that?

  Rosa tilted her head so her cheek touched Dalton’s shoulder. “We’ve been so busy, I’m glad you haven’t asked me yet.” She smiled at him, her eyes shining. “But things should finally settle down after the TV crew leaves. Then there’ll be no excuse.”

  “I don’t need excuses.” Dalton brushed a lock of hair from Rosa’s forehead. “You’ll just have to pretend to be surprised.”

  “Okay, okay.” Carin laughed. “Let’s change the subject before you two need to get a room.”

  “There’s the casting director,” said Jake, nodding ahead. “What’s her name again? Short?”

  Sure enough, Delaney Short was walking out of the reception building, heading away from them.

  Rosa ran a hand over her hair, making sure it wasn’t messy from the boat trip, then called out, “Hi, Delaney.”

  Delaney turned. “Ah. There you are.” Her gaze went to Jake and lingered there. “I talked it over with Bozier, and we’ve decided to film a short screen test with you both. You’ll need to talk to our on-site psychologist, interview with our panel, and fill out some forms.”

  “We’re on the show?” It came out breathless, but who could blame her? At least Carin was managing to hold in her victory dance. Just.

  “No, no. We’ve decided to consider you, because getting one of our other couples here at such short notice has been more difficult than we’d expected. But this is only the first step.”

  Carin nodded, putting her hands behind her back to keep her famous, pat
ented victory dance moves from accidentally breaking out. “Okay,” she said, in as serious a voice as she could manage. “I understand.”

  “Bozier will review your screen test and interviews, and make the final decision. If he gives you the part, you’ll be the wild-card couple, brought in at the last minute to stir things up and create drama. We don’t want you to win the competition, so you’ll need to make sure you’re beaten in the challenges and get eliminated. It’s not scripted yet, but we’re working on it. And if you’re chosen, we’ll need to start shooting with you right away.”

  “We can do that.”

  “Good. Wait here and I’ll send my assistant to collect you, and walk you through everything we need you to do.” She gave them a nod, then turned away.

  As soon as Delaney was out of earshot, Carin spun to face the others. “This is it. We did it.” She gave a mini-twerk, half afraid one of the production crew would catch her doing it, but unable to stop at least that much of a dance from coming out. “They’re going to give us the part, I know it. Oh my god, Jake, I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re helping me do this.”

  Jake shook his head. “Don’t get excited yet. After all their tests and questions, they might decide they don’t want us.”

  “Even if they choose one of the other couples, Bozier’s going to watch my screen test. This is my chance to show him what I’ve got, and prove I can still act.” She couldn’t keep from bouncing on her toes, her excitement too strong to contain. “If I’m good enough, I could get into his head. Become his muse. I’d be perfect for the part of a fallen angel-turned-evil in the fantasy show he’s about to film, and if I play my cards right, he might cast me in all his shows.”

  “An evil angel?” repeated Dalton.

  “Such a fun part, I’d kill to get it. Seriously, I’d be willing to murder someone.” She hesitated. “Well, so long as they were old and already sick. And I was sure they wanted to die, and the law allowed…” She broke off, grimacing. “So maybe it’s not the ideal metaphor. But I can act evil. I’d be great in that part, I know it.”

  “Once Bozier sees what you can do, he’s sure to love you,” said Rosa.

  “If they do cast you on the reality show, it’s probably a good thing they don’t want you to stay long,” said Dalton. “The other side of the island is off limits to everyone but the cast and crew, but I’ve heard the competitors aren’t finding it much fun.”

  Rosa wrinkled her nose, nodding. “At least they won’t have time to make you do too many horrible things.”

  “Like what?” asked Carin, grinning. Right now, nothing could scare her. “Lick a toad? Sit on a cactus? Tickle a crocodile?”

  “Share a bed,” muttered Jake, his light eyes troubled.

  “Excuse me. Are you Carin Carlton and Jake Sturne?” Carin turned to see a young woman with a clipboard hurrying toward them. “The psychologist is waiting to talk to you, and Delaney asked me to come and get you. Sorry to rush you, but we’re on a schedule.”

  “That’s us. We’re ready to go.” Carin grabbed Jake’s arm and gave it a squeeze.

  This was going to be great.

  7

  It was Jake’s worst nightmare.

  They’d been given the part on the show.

  Delaney’s assistant told them the next morning, and Jake groaned as he watched Carin whooping, punching the air, then victory-dancing her way around Rosa and Dalton’s living room.

  For her sake, he managed to act like he wasn’t pissed off. And on one hand, he was glad to see Carin so happy. How could he begrudge her this chance to get what she so badly wanted? But he wasn’t thrilled by the prospect of being forced to act as though he was in love with her. Especially after all these years of pretending he wasn’t in love with her. Keeping his emotions closed off would be more difficult if they had to be physically close. There were only so many cold showers a man could take.

  “How soon can you be ready to go?” asked Delaney’s assistant, smiling at Carin’s excitement. “All the filming’s being done on the other side of the island. They want you to make a big entrance, walking onto the beach as the other contestants are told about you joining the show.”

  “I’m ready now,” said Carin brightly. She was wearing shorts that showcased her gorgeous butt, and a floral top that kept giving him tantalizing glimpses of her taut stomach. She’d once told him she was diligent with her workouts because she couldn’t do anything about her freckles or scars. How her body looked was one of the few things she could control.

  Her hair hung in curls that had taken her hours to make perfect. He knew, because they’d shared Rosa and Dalton’s spare bedroom, and she’d gotten up early to start getting ready. He hadn’t minded her hogging the bathroom. He was too busy being profoundly grateful Rosa and Dalton had been able to provide separate beds.

  “You’re only allowed to bring a few spare pieces of clothing,” said the assistant. “No electronic items or cosmetics. I’m afraid you’ll have to leave your phones behind.”

  “No cosmetics?” Carin froze in the middle of her victory dance. “A little foundation and concealer will be okay though, right?”

  The assistant shook her head. “Sorry. They’ll check what you’ve got with you, so put just your swimsuits and a change of clothes in a plastic bag, and I’ll take you to the other side of the island.”

  Carin looked so crestfallen that Jake grabbed her shoulder and gave it a little squeeze. “Don’t worry,” he murmured into her ear. “You don’t need cosmetics. You’re lovely the way you are.”

  She gave him a grateful smile, but no matter how many times he tried to reassure Carin, it wouldn’t make a difference until she could find a way to believe it for herself. Her real scars weren’t the ones on her face, but the ones Bozier had given her when he’d written her out of Home and Away. At least this time Jake was here with Carin. He’d do everything in his power not to let the bastard hurt her like that again.

  When they were ready to go, Delaney’s assistant guided them along a path that crossed the island. After following her for twenty minutes or so, they saw a temporary campground had been set up far enough back from the beach so as not to be seen from it. The assistant stopped in front of a cluster of tents filled with equipment. “Wait here,” she said. “I’ll get the sound guys to set you up with microphones.”

  “We’re going to be wired for sound?” asked Jake as she moved away.

  Carin clutched his arm. “This is probably our last chance to talk privately. You have anything you want to say?”

  “Nothing polite.”

  She jabbed him with her elbow. “You look like you’re going to an execution. It won’t be that bad, I promise. You might actually enjoy it. You know how competitive you are.”

  “They don’t want us to win the challenges, remember?”

  A man approached before Carin could answer. “Are you wearing a bikini under those clothes, love?” he asked Carin. “I’ll fasten the mic to your bikini top. It’s waterproof, but don’t go jumping around in the water or you’ll lose it. See me before you go swimming so I can take it off, okay? We prefer to use sound booms when you’re in the water.”

  “Shall I strip down now?” she asked.

  The man shrugged. “Bozier say how he wants you? Not yet? Okay, he’s on the beach organizing the set up, but someone will let you know.”

  Jake gritted his teeth. No doubt they’d be told what to wear and have every moment monitored for the next few days. It was starting to sink in just how hellish that would be.

  He endured the attention of the sound guy and other crew members who fussed around them adjusting their hair and clothes, then stood restlessly while they prepared to shoot him and Carin arriving on the beach. All this trouble for one damn shot. At least they were still fully clothed rather than in swimsuits.

  When everything was ready, they were motioned out of the shade of the trees and down onto the sand, where six other contestants were lined up and waiting
. Scratch that. Where the other contestants were glowering. Mind you, he could hardly blame them. The other contestants had been sleeping on the beach for weeks. They were lean and had been tanned to a deep brown by the tropical sun. They looked tired, and their clothes were dirty. In contrast, he and Carin looked well-fed and clean.

  The show’s presenter was standing in front of the small line of contestants, and he was an even bigger contrast. His name was Timmy, which make Jake think of a schoolboy, but this man’s hair was silver at the temples and he had the tight-skinned look of someone who’d had too much work done to his face. His shirt and slacks were immaculately pressed. And was he wearing makeup?

  “It’s time to welcome our new couple who will be joining the competition,” Timmy said with what could only be described as a smirk.

  As one, the other contestants drew in a shocked breath. Obviously this was the first time anyone had told them they’d have company.

  Then one of the contestants stepped forward, peering at Jake with wide eyes. A woman with long blond hair and an upturned nose, dressed in a faded, grubby T-shirt and shorts. “Jake? Is that you?”

  Jake’s heart sank. He recognized her. But what was she doing here?

  “Oh. My. God.” The blonde shook her head in disbelief. “You told me you weren’t interested in a relationship, and six months later you’re getting married?” She waved a hand at Carin. “To her?”

  “Hey,” exclaimed Carin. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Jake was busy searching his memory for the blonde’s name. “Sally?” he said after a minute. Yes, that was it. They’d met in a bar, and when Mustang Sally had played on the sound system she’d made a big deal about singing the lyrics.

  “You broke my heart.” Sally turned to the man next to her. “He’s the one I told you about, Sam. The one I was crying over when we met.”

  Carin turned to Jake with her hands on her hips. “What’s going on?” she demanded. Jake glanced at her in surprise before deciding most of her indignation was probably affected for the sake of the cameras. She hadn’t been in a daytime soap for nothing.