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.Her heart slammed against her ribs, and she took another long look, wondering if she were hallucinating.Because it wasn’t the young staffer standing outside in the hallway.It was Tynan.The rush of adrenaline that surged through her nearly knocked her off her feet.He rapped again.“Open up, Shannen.I just heard you turn off the hair dryer, so I know you can hear me.”Shannen opened the door and stared at him, stupefied.“How…how did you—”“I have my ways.Aren’t you going to invite me in?”She couldn’t seem to breathe, let alone speak.Shannen could only gape at him, as if he were an apparition from some astral plane.An apparition wearing the same baggy khaki shorts and white T-shirt with the network’s logo imprinted on the front, the clothes that he had worn all day today.She’d certainly spent enough hours looking at him today to remember his clothing down to the exact detail.Equally unforgettable was the fact that he’d ignored her from the moment it was clear that she was no longer a million-dollar contender.But now he was here.Shannen folded her arms in front of her chest in classic defense mode, blocking his way.“Luckily I’m not a vampire, so I don’t have to wait for an invite before entering,” Ty said lightly and walked into the room.He stepped around her, but only because she stepped out of his way.If she hadn’t moved, he seemed ready and willing to move her himself.He looked around the room.“Nice.Bet you’re not a bit nostalgic for the crowded old tent back on the island, hmm?”Shannen finally found her voice.“Since being in the crowded old tent would mean I was still in the running to win the game, I’d rather be there than here.Though they’ve spared no expense to make us feel less like losers and more like tourists, I guess.”Ty had stooped to open the door of the small refrigerator in the corner of the room.“Plenty of snacks in here.Hawaiian macadamia nuts, cheeses, crackers.Cookies, fruit and yogurt.Miniature bottles of every kind of alcohol you can think of.A few full-size bottles of beer and wine, too.”“Miles would tell you to help yourself, it’s on the network’s tab,” said Shannen, striving for a tone of nonchalance.By the tremor in her voice, she was fairly certain she hadn’t pulled it off.“Who’s Miles?” Ty continued to peruse the fridge.“Clark Garrett’s nephew.He stays here and baby-sits us Victorious rejects.”“Oh, yes, the nephew.” Ty chuckled.“I’ve heard about him from Heidi and the other PAs.They think he’s a fool to be stuck over here while they get the on-location experience with the crew.They’re sure his TV career won’t last long, uncle or not, but I told them never to underestimate the power of nepotism in the industry.”He stood up, his hands filled with bottles and food packages.“The food isn’t up for auction, and you don’t have to worry about cheating anymore.Come on out here and enjoy it with a clear conscience, Shannen.”Without waiting for her to reply, he carried the food and drink outside to the balcony and placed them on the table.Shannen was nonplussed to the point of inaction.Silently she watched Ty settle back on the chaise longue, one leg stretched out, his other foot on the ground.He opened a bottle of beer and took a swallow.It occurred to her that she was clad only in the hotel robe.“I…have to get dressed,” she called weakly, and snatched a bright red-and-yellow-flowered sundress and underwear from her suitcase.She dressed in the bathroom and, taking a deep breath, joined Ty on the balcony.“You clean up well.” He gave her a slow, thorough appraisal as she stood beside the door.“Are you going to tell me why you’re here, or am I supposed to guess?” Shannen wanted to recall the words the moment she’d uttered them.“Oh, definitely, go ahead and guess,” Ty invited, laughter gleaming in his eyes.“I can’t wait to hear what you’ll come up with.”“I knew you’d say something like that,” muttered Shannen.“So why am I here, Shannen?”“I’m too tired to play games,” she said tersely, knowing it was a lie.She might’ve been tired before, but she was wide awake now.Every nerve in her body felt wired.“How did you get here, anyway? And find my room?”“A couple of network honchos are here to discuss plans for the Victorious reunion show.I know, you’re probably thinking—the game isn’t over and they’re already talking about a reunion?” Ty took another swig of the beer.“But our far-thinking executives like to plan ahead.Or more likely, they saw the chance for a company-paid vacation and grabbed it.I volunteered to bring the past few days’ footage over for their viewing pleasure.”“So you took the boat here,” Shannen concluded.“As you know, it’s a short ride.I was accompanied by Kevin and Adam, who went straight to the Parrot Room.Since I’m officially with the program, all I had to do to get your room number was to ask the desk clerk.Are we finished with the Q and A?”Shannen concentrated on opening a package of crackers and tried to keep her voice steady.“I’m surprised to see you.”“I could tell.” He leaned forward, his hands resting on his thighs.“What I can’t tell is if you’re glad or totally indifferent or smoldering with anger.You can be pretty hard to read sometimes, Shannen.”“As if you’re an open book!” Shannen dropped the crackers and headed inside.“Ah, a clue.” Ty followed her into the room.“The answer is C—smoldering with anger.Next question.Are you mad at me or your sister or the other contestants—or just ticked off with life in general?”She turned to him, startled.“Why would I be mad at Lauren?”“Maybe because she hung on to that immunity totem pole and didn’t even make you a token offer? Which you would’ve nobly declined, of course.”It was unnerving that he had voiced exactly what she had thought at the time.A disloyal pang of guilt surged through her.“I wanted Lauren to have it.” Shannen was defensive.“She knew that.”Ty shrugged.“Sure, but still—it would’ve been nice if she’d at least made the gesture.”Shannen saw the glint in his eye.“You’re trying to be an instigator!”“No, a detective
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