“Haven’t I done that already?”
Skye smiled. “Yes, but that’s the problem.”
“Why?” Lucy asked, not understanding.
“Because the cameras never got to see it,” Skye replied, stroking her thumb softly against Lucy’s skin. Somehow the water didn’t dull the feeling; somehow it only enhanced it. Lucy’s body broke out in thousands of prickling goosebumps. “They never got to see how you make me feel.”
“And how do I make you feel?” Lucy asked. She wanted to hear the words come out of Skye’s mouth. Just like last night when she had wanted to hear Skye explain how things were different with her.Whywere they different?
Unfortunately, Skye didn’t answer. She just smiled as her thumb pressed harder against Lucy’s thigh. Was that an answer in itself? Was what they had done off camera the only reason Skye couldn’t show Lucy that she liked her? Clearly, it was technically off-script and a forbidden subplot. It was the kind of thing producers got heart palpitations over because how do you market chemistry that happened without any staged lighting, without any mic packs, and without anyone to witness it? You didn’t. Plain and simple.
“I didn’t think this entire show was so…” Lucy couldn’t get to the right word before Skye did.
“Staged,” Skye filled in, almost gently.
“Yes,” Lucy whispered. Everything seemed so fake. Well, everything except for Skye. Lucy’s gaze snagged on the tiny beads of water clinging to Skye’s mascara-lined eyelashes, to the damp strands of hair plastered against her forehead, and to her lips. Soft, parted, and so close.
It took everything in Lucy not to close the gap between them and press her mouth to Skye’s. She had to do everything she could not to prove to every contestant bobbing in the water around them that she knew Skye in a way they didn’t. She desperately wanted to let them know that they could just end the show now. That she not only deserved to be there, but she deserved to win. Alexis was wrong. LucywasSkye’s type.
“So, if you kiss Alexis again, will you think about me?”
“If I kiss anyone—”
But before Skye could finish her sentence, Marla’s singsong voice echoed across the water. “Everyone back to the boat!” she called, waving them in. “We’ve got a little surprise for you girls.”
Lucy glanced at Skye. She was smiling. Her green eyes were brightening, but Lucy couldn’t ask why because Marla was already yelling, “Come on, girls! Butts in the boat.”
Reluctantly, she left Skye behind and swam back with everyone else. Once they were all aboard with towels wrapped around their wet bodies, snorkels discarded to the plastic crate and Skye standing at the front of the boat, Marla announced that the cameras were rolling.
“Okay, everyone,” Skye said, stepping forward. “Before we head back to the villa, I’ve got a little twist for you. The first person to answer a quick question correctly will earn an exclusive date with me this afternoon.”
Murmurs rippled through the group. Amy, who was sitting beside Lucy, let out a nervous laugh. Alexis across the waysat up straighter as if to snatch up first prize. Lucy, on the other hand, felt a gnawing ache in her stomach. She was terrible at guessing games.
“Alright,” Skye said with an exaggerated smile. “This question may seem very simple, but it’s an important one. You guys ready?”
Everyone nodded.
“If I were to get a dog, any dog, what would it be? Keep in mind where I live. You’ll need to factor in the space, daily walks, and access to parks.”
Lucy couldn’t remember a single detail of Skye’s home life, like where she lived, what her house looked like, or if she even had a garden. Skye had been so careful with what she had revealed, at least to Lucy, which was why when she shouted out, “Corgi,” she was completely taken aback when Skye’s lips curved into a smile.
“Lucy, you win the date,”she said.
~~
Less than an hour later, Lucy wriggled uncomfortably in the hammock. Her legs kept slipping against Skye’s, and her left shoulder was digging awkwardly into the bachelorette’s side. Not that Skye complained. Not even when Lucy had accidentally elbowed her in the ribs.
“Ugh!” Lucy groaned, tipping backward slightly only to catch herself against Skye’s arm. “Why is this thing so wriggly?”
“Stop moving,” Skye said, laughing.
“Easier said than done,” Lucy moaned. Whoever had decided on the hammock date knew exactly what they were doing. It wasn’t a hammock; it was a damn booby trap designed to make two people cling to each other. She shifted once more, trying to find a less precarious angle where she wasn’t basicallysitting on Skye’s lap, but the rope groaned and the entire thing tilted. Lucy froze. “Okay. Fine,” she said. “I’m not moving again. I live here now. This is my home.”
Skye chuckled again, her body vibrating against Lucy’s. “I guess it’s mine too.”
There was a pause. Neither of them said anything. Lucy wanted to go back to their conversation earlier, the one they had started during the snorkeling excursion. The dialogue she really wanted to have was the one they probably shouldn’t have in front of the cameras. Suddenly, Marla cleared her throat, impatiently urging them along.
Lucy arched an eyebrow. “So, a corgi, hey? Is thatreallythe dog you want to adopt?”
