I roll my eyes.
Todd blushes like he hasn’t seen us kiss countless times before, but now that Owen’s called him out on it, it makes it seem all the more voyeuristic than simply the nature of his chosen career. For all the talk ofwrestlingfrom Gloria and Sadie across my roof, you’d think Todd wouldn’t be embarrassed by anything.
“Take your time, Toddy Boy.” Yes, I gave our King’s Guard a pet name. “Owen can kiss me whenever he likes.”
I stick my finger in the dimple in Owen’s cheek. He turns quickly and nips at it.
That animal, Gretchen, squeals with delight. She loves a good chase.
I thought for sure after my confession the other night, Owen would give up this unspoken rule about when and where he’sopen with affection, but I know he’s been more than patient with me, so I’m trying to be the same for him. Though, it would be more than nice to kiss my husband without our cameraman present.
The countdown to filming begins, then Sumer does her usual intro, a recap of our last offer, and reveals which couples are left in the game. The Yankees, the Woodhouses, Ocean and Haven, Owen and me, and the Remillards are all who remain in our dwindling circle of competitors.
“On your thirtieth day of the competition, I’d like to offer you something we’ve never seen before onSuite Hearts. You have the chance to vote another couple out of the competition completely and receive twenty thousand dollars to leave as well, or you can take a chance on a mystery box.” Sumer looks absolutely giddy over this conundrum, though I can’t imagine anyone in our group actually voting someone off. We all really like each other.
She flips her long, wavy blonde hair, which looks amazing in this humidity. I wonder what products she uses? “To keep things interesting, each mystery box holds a different stay-or-leave choice, but one.” There’s a giant pause for dramatic effect and the camera narrows in on the five boxes placed on a stage under the jumbotron. “One box holds an automatic elimination inside. You’ll be choosing your box in Tink numbered order, and you have sixty seconds to decide. Take the guarantee of twenty thousand dollars, but you must bring another couple with you, or a potential automatic elimination with no cash prize. Your time begins now.”
The jumbotron begins the giant countdown, and while the other couples deliberate, Owen drops his hand on my thigh and gives it a little, reassuring squeeze. “Let’s stick to the plan, Babe. We’ve come this far, and I’m not ready to go yet. Are you?”
When he tilts his head, that charming smile pops the adorable dimples in his cheeks and his dark, wavy hair—long overdue for a cut—falls over his forehead. I can’t help but lean towards him, hoping he’ll put me out of my misery. Because I completely agree, I’m far from done with being cooped up in close proximity with this man.
“Kiss me, Ruth. Or I’m taking the deal.”
He obliges, hand firm against my neck, pulling me closer. His movements are light and tender, with the promise of more. Andmore,I want. Very much.
“Wow,” I say, pecking his lips once. “You must have been really afraid I’d take that offer.”
“Terrified,” he says, kissing me again until the time runs out.
Beginning with Tink One, the Yankees, Sumer offers the deal. They refuse and request a box. As does each group after them. I’m thankful there was no bad blood by voting another couple off without the chance for a win, but now the idea that one of us will go home with nothing is heartbreaking to consider.
But if I went home right now, I’d have Owen. And, honestly, he’s more than enough.
I squeeze his hand as we stand together facing the boxes on the stage while Sumer makes her way for the big reveal.
The Yankees choose box number one and win fifty thousand dollars right off the bat. They celebrate—loudly—as they immediately plan to buy an island and a yacht and… I’m pretty sure that check isn’t going to stretch as far as they think it is. It’s the largest cash prize we’ve seen thus far though, so the energy between the rest of us grows taut.
The Woodhouses choose box five, which holds the keys to their brand new truck. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Clyde so happy. Of course, they celebrate in their favorite manner. Gloria jumps into his arms, Clyde twirls—albeit slowly—holding her rear end in his hands as he tries to lift her above his squattingknees. Honestly, I’m impressed at the sheer acrobatic flexibility they’ve both shown.
I bet they wrestle later.
Ocean and Haven engage in some rhythmic chanting and alarming deep breathing before finally selecting their box. I guess it pays off, because theirs contains a pass to order any groceries of their choice for the remainder of their time onSuite Hearts. So someone’s getting her wheatgrass and gold sprinkles. I’m mildly jealous about that one and definitely nervous as the elimination box is still in, and it’s only us and the Remillards left.
Boxes two and four wait on the stage, unopened. Sumer has done such a good job amping up the drama with her script, that I really and truly feel the weight of our next decision heavy on my heart. If we choose the wrong box, we go home. If we choose the other, we stay but eliminate Dakota and Sadie.
“What do you want to do?” Owen asks, hand rubbing light circles on my back.
“I don’t know. I don’t want Dakota and Sadie to go home.”
“It’s okay, y’all,” Sadie assures us from next door. Dakota slides his arm around her waist and hoists her close, kissing her temple. “We’re ready.”
“Tink number four has been pretty good to us, right?” I say, staring at the boxes that determine our fate. “I say four.”
“Sounds good to me.” Owen rests his hand between my shoulder blades, and says, “Box four, please.”
Sumer opens the box, we hold our breath, and the crowd of staff and contestants goes silent. “Box number four contains”—she pauses, looking inside before turning her famous smile to the camera—“requests for any three items to be brought into your Tink for the next five days.”
Tears immediately fill my eyes. We’re safe. We’re still in this. But our friends are leaving. Sumer opens the remaining box and formally announces Dakota and Sadie’s elimination. Theysurprise us all, though, when they reenact the Woodhouse’s extreme PDA. When they come up for air, Sadie shouts with happy tears in her eyes, “We’re pregnant!” Surprising us all.
