Contents
Chapter 23: Julia
Overview
Richard reprimands Julia for scouting the “wrong” bar after Emmett rejects filming at the Sugar Saloon. Julia confronts Emmett, accusing him of undermining her. Emmett reveals he can’t take other contestants to the spot meaningful to Julia, then kisses her on set. Their secret attraction becomes undeniable, complicating the show and their jobs.
Summary
Julia ignores Emmett’s texts after their charged night at the Sugar Saloon, determined to stay professional. In the production trailer, Richard scolds her for choosing a dive bar after Emmett allegedly refused to film there and demands they use The Ranch for the elimination. Julia swallows her anger to avoid Richard’s blacklist.
Emmett arrives, bristles at Richard clapping at Julia, and Richard pointedly warns Emmett to focus on contestants, not staff. Outside, Julia tries to avoid Emmett, but he stops her to ask if she’s okay. She confronts him for making her look incompetent by reversing the bar decision.
As tensions rise, Emmett insists he already told her he wouldn’t take anyone else to the Sugar Saloon. He admits he can’t bring other women there after sharing it with Julia, revealing the place—and she—now carry personal meaning for him.
The confession breaks the standoff. Emmett pins Julia lightly against a trailer, touches turn tender, and he kisses her. The kiss is intense and deliberate, affirming their mutual attraction despite the risks. Breathless, they separate; Emmett says he should return to set, and Julia recognizes that their situation is a dangerous mess she’d still choose again.
Who Appears
- JuliaHandler and narrator; scolded by Richard over bar scouting, confronts Emmett, learns his reason, and shares a passionate on-set kiss.
- EmmettContestant; defends Julia, admits the Sugar Saloon is special because of her, and initiates a decisive, public-privacy kiss.
- RichardProducer; reprimands Julia, pushes filming at The Ranch, and warns Emmett to focus on contestants.