“Now, just a reminder, folks,” Brian addressed the audience, “you’ve all been tasked with allocating a score to each of our couples. So make sure you do that now before we move on to the much-anticipated truth section. I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am.”
The lights went down, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It was nearly over. They were given a small break, with Raj, the producer, directing activity. His assistant, Natalie, made sure the audience was correctly filling in voting cards. Someone handed out bottles of water, which Harry took gratefully. The makeup people made their way along the line, powdering noses and god knows what.
He twisted the lid off the bottle and took a big gulp. He didn’t want to start a fight, not now when filming would resume any minute, but he couldn’t help it, and just had to say something. He leaned close to John so only he would hear his words, praying the microphones were turned off and wouldn’t pick up what he said. “You’re a jerk, you know that?” he hissed. “What were you trying to play at?”
“Brian said to bring back something embarrassing.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “You really only hear what you want to hear, don’t you? He said to bring back something that reflected my personality but I might be reluctant to share. Couldn’t you have taken that to heart rather than try your best to make me looks like an idiot? Plus, it was meant to be in the spirit of good fun.”
“I—”
The makeup person interrupted whatever lousy excuse John was going to give. Harry turned his back on John and let her remove the shine from his forehead and nose. He’d rather succumb to her ministrations than give John another minute of his time.
The break wasn’t nearly long enough. Harry’s anger continued to simmer, and he was acutely conscious of John’s presence at his side. Hearing Amber’s laughter and seeing her so happy next to Evan was a stab in his chest—not because Amber was happy, but becausehewanted that same happiness. Actually, as he scanned down the row, seeing all the couples made his heart ache, and he wondered yet again why, for fuck’s sake, was he putting himself through all of this. He didn’t deserve the way it made him feel, and John didn’t deserve to have his feelings spared.Fuck this.
Evan glanced across. His lip hitched in a smile when he met Harry’s gaze, causing a flash of dimple. His blue eyes held so much warmth, melting the annoyance Harry felt and replacing it with a sense of calm. Harry had no idea how he managed to convey so much emotion in a simple glance, but he basked in the joy of the feelings that bubbled up inside—sparks of giddiness and a sense of hope, and something that felt a hell of a lot like it was the start of love. They may have been on this cruise for less than two weeks, but that time had only served to cement what he knew about Evan already. Sure, he was gorgeous, but more importantly, he was honest and charming. He was a loyal friend. He could be taken at face value and didn’t have expectations for Harry, other than for Harry to be exactly who he was. Evan didn’t care what job Harry did, so long as it made him happy, or care what his postcode was. Harry smiled back—he didn’t think he’d be able to stop the smile even if he tried.
The show’s crew started issuing directions, and before too long they’d started the truth part of the game. But this time, Harry was in a better place. For better or for worse, he was going to play the cardshis wayand not let John rob him of his joy again.
A short while later, Harry’s hands shook slightly when he was directed to open the envelope. He lifted the flap and withdrew the card. He held it and silently read the question that was printed on it. He read the words again, then stared at the question as if it would impact his future. And in a way, it would. Because answering truthfully would alter the outcome of the competition and potentially toss him off the show. Harry glanced to Evan, whose eyebrows were drawn together.He’s worried for me.That thought gave Harry the additional strength he needed. The tightness in his chest lightened. He gave Evan a small smile, just a quick lift of the corner of his mouth to reassure him. Evan nodded back, giving him support and a boost of confidence.
Fingers crossed I’m doing the right thing.He took a deep breath.Here goes nothing.
18
Poor Harry.He looked nervous as all hell as he fidgeted and glanced around the stage. When his gaze met Evan’s, Evan gave him a smile. He hoped he was conveying just how much confidence he had in him, confidence he wished Harry felt himself. He was such a genuinely nice guy, and his good heart allowed John to walk all over him out of a sense of guilt. Sure, Evan didn’t know the full details of the relationship, but he knew enough to know that Harry didn’t owe John anything. And what a dick move, bringing out the stupid foot cream. There was nothing remotely funny about that. Harry had looked as if he wanted the stage to open up and swallow him whole when Louise had held the small tube aloft. Thankfully, Brian hadn’t dwelt on it, and they’d moved the segment on fairly quickly.
It was only when Harry returned his smile that Evan leaned back against his seat—he felt like a weight had been lifted. He gave a single firm nod.I’ve got your back.He wished he had mental telepathy, but given the way Harry’s chin lifted and his movement stilled, hopefully he knew he wasn’t facing this alone.
“Harry.” Brian sauntered along the stage, moving closer to where Harry sat on a tall stool and drawing Harry’s eyes from Evan. “Please pass the question over.”
Harry took a final look at the card he was holding, then handed it across. Evan could see the cardboard was shaking. He held his breath.
Brian looked at the card. “Well, the answer to this question will definitely be one for the romantics.”
The crowd tittered.
John squirmed in his seat. From the relatively close distance, Evan could see the sweat beading on his forehead again, and given it wasn’t that hot under the lights, it was most likely due to facing the unknown.Yeah, you deserve to sweat it out, given what you’ve put Harry through.
“So, Harry. Our audience wants to know about your great love and how your heart knew it had found ‘the one.’” Brian chuckled. “But before we get to that, how do you feel, John, with Harry spilling the details about your love to the world?”
John sat up straighter and grinned. “That’s what we’re here for, right?”
Evan wanted to wipe the stupid smirk from his face. And he certainly didn’t want to hear about the feelings Harry had for John. He knew they didn’t exist anymore, but he’d had feelings for the guy at one time, no matter how misguided they were. He wondered how Harry was going to answer and didn’t envy him having to sprout bullshit to get this thing over and done with.
“Okay, then. So, without further ado, let’s hear from Harry.”
Harry cleared his throat, glanced Evan’s way one more time, then looked out from the stage, addressing the audience and no doubt allowing the cameras to catch a close-up of his response. “Love’s a funny thing. It creeps up on you when you least expect it. One minute you are friends—albeit friends with a crush—” The audience laughed. “—then the next thing you know, you see so much more in the person than just the flash of cute dimple when they smile and their perky arse.” More laugher. “You realise they are so muchmore, and thatyouare so much more when you’re with them. It sounds clichéd, but they are your other half, they complete you, they make you a better person, and you them.”
OMG!Harry had managed to put into words exactly what was in Evan’s heart—all but the dimple—OMG, he said dimple—and he warmed at the words. When he was with Harry, he felt a completeness that he hadn’t felt before. He hadn’t realised exactly what he’d been missing until Harry’s presence lit up his world. He wished it was just him and Harry alone so he could explain this and tell Harry how he felt. As if knowing Evan was thinking about him, Harry met his gaze. Evan flushed and couldn’t hold back the smile. They’d have time later, and he wouldn’t waste a minute. His grin widened.
“Wow! It sounds like you’ve definitely found the right person then, Harry. Someone to spend the rest of your life with.”
The words broke their connection. Harry blinked, then looked back to Brian. “Yeah. I hope so.”
Brian cocked his head. “You don’tknowso? Don’t forget this is theSea of Love, where all your romantic dreams come true.” Brian cleared his throat as he turned to look knowingly at John. “Right, John?”
John was radiant with a grin like a Cheshire cat, white teeth flashing brightly against his skin. He got to his feet and turned to Harry. Harry looked at him in confusion.
