Love 'Em or Leave 'Em Read Online Free PDF Page A

some palm trees and greenery. Very nice.
    The door swung open and Rachel popped her head in. "Come on, you're missing it! The first mail arrived and there's a date tonight."
    Ashley gave her a fake look of excitement. "Oh goody!"
    "Hurry up," Rachel said, and disappeared.
    Here we go, Ashley thought. She pulled herself out of bed and tried to put on her I'm-so-excited-to-behere face.
    Downstairs, chaos reigned. Bouncing, happy girls clad in little more than tank tops and panties filled the great room. With bronzed legs and long hair everywhere, it looked like a Victoria's Secret slumber party. Ashley glanced down at her pale, sun-starved skin and pulled her baggy T-shirt a little lower.
    Tami, the tall brunet who'd worn the dress with the slit a mile high the night before, held the letter and waved it every few seconds. Her tiny midriff top exposed a pierced belly button and showed off its large ruby-colored stone. Tami's thick, dark mane had a gorgeous natural wave. It was hair to-die-for. Each time she raised the date letter in the air more shrieks erupted. The producer stood off to the side, yelling over the noise, "Wait until the cameras are in place" Finally, he gave the thumbs-up and Tami tore open the envelope and read the enclosed message out loud:

    Screams again filled the room. A few moans and groans came from those left out, particularly Tami, who pouted as she handed off the note as soon as she saw her name wasn't on it.
    Liz and Ashley rushed over to Rachel to bask in the glow of her excitement.
    "Oh my gosh!" she cried. "I can't believe I'm on the first date. He likes me. This is unreal. Do you think he picked me?" She was flushed. "Do you think he likes me? He is so good-looking! What will I wear?"
    They laughed at her nervousness. Last night Rachel had acted as though the whole thing didn't matter. She wanted to fund her next exotic trip, not win the man of the hour, and certainly not gush over some macho jock.
    "Whatever you do, wear heels," Liz said, looking down at Rachel's petite five feet two inches. She patted her head. "He'll never see more than the top of your head if you don't"
    "Don't worry, you'll look great whatever you wear," Ashley added. "You're the cutest thing in this room. You're gonna knock 'em dead"
    "Great, you make me sound like a kitten, not a hot date," said Rachel, shaking her head.
    Two hours later the lucky ladies waited for their date. Luke arrived in a sporty SUV limo. Dressed in khaki cargo shorts, a cream-colored golf shirt, and Tevas, he looked pretty amazing for a guy who wasn't trying. He smiled and waved at all the wallflowers as he opened the door for his dates. The three women fought for position while trying to act as if they were casually waiting for Luke.
    One at a time, he took each by the hand and guided her into the limo. Rachel smiled demurely. Jenny went next. She didn't let him just take her hand-she walked right into his arms and gave him a squishy hug and what looked like a big wet smooch on the cheek. Yuck.
    Shelby entered last and batted her baby blues as he took her hand. In her Southern drawl she crooned, "I just can't wait to get to know you a whole lot better, sugar." She leaned into him as she got in the limo and gave him a great view of her generously proportioned, store-bought bosom.
    Luke wore a goofy smile as he climbed into the vehicle. It looked to Ashley like he thought, "Me too, honey, me too"
    As the limo pulled away, the group left behind yelled good wishes and waved good-bye. Shelby leaned out the window and waved. "See you all later."
    Standing there on the front steps of the mansion, the remaining twelve watched the limo drive down the manicured lane to the distant street. Ashley was relieved to see them go. The focus of the cameras would be elsewhere.
    Liz and Ashley stood off to one side.
    "Make good choices," yelled Ashley.
    "No tongue kissing," hollered Liz. They giggled and ducked down to avoid the camera as it panned across them.
    The