“Ashley, you look stunning,” Theo says.
No, I don’t. You’ve already failed the test, Theo.
As assumed, he pulls me in for a quick hug. He smells like an expensive cologne. “You look very nice too,” I offer because I should be courteous, I guess. He does look cute in his cream-colored slacks and a loose white button-down. He’s wearing brown-leather thong sandals and looks freshly bronzed from a day at the beach.
“You’re sweet. I’m a little surprised you showed up tonight,” Theo says. “I figured you’d have gone running for the hills by now.”
“Me too,” I tell him. I debated it, for sure. “This is all a little weird, right?”
“I don’t mind the environment,” he says, shrugging. “Most of the guys here are very nice. Just a little competitive, I guess.”
“You don’t mind being surrounded by all men—” I stop my question. I shouldn’t be assuming what he meant.
“I mean, there’s no drama—no offense. I volunteered for the social study because I was curious about the outcome. Plus, free housing on a beach isn’t something to laugh at, right?”
Free housing on the beach. Is that all it took for these men to join this—this cult thing? “Is that the reason you are all here?” I ask.
Theo places his hand on the small of my back, guiding me toward the growing bonfire. “Nah. We all have our reasons. Divorce, widowed, bored, lonely. We all have a story.”
“I was kind of thinking this was all some joke,” I tell him, being honest, and trying not to be insulting.
“No, the results so far have been quite interesting, actually. We’ve all done better within our careers because there haven’t been many distractions, you know?”
A caterer approaches us and lowers his head, handing me a martini. Usually, I’m not big into martini’s, but I am into drinking them when I’m uncomfortable.
“So, what’s your story, Theo? Are you divorced, widowed, bored, or lonely?”
Theo chuckles, smirking with only the corner of his lips. “I plea, none of the above.”
“Oh, you are here just spilling everyone else’s stories,” I ask, but sort of tell, adding a quiet laugh for good measure.
“Kind of; I—I don’t know what I want. The offer sounded like a good use of time, and I’m all in for helping with the research of social sciences.”
I twirl a loose strand of my hair behind my ear, staring into the licking flames. “So, the social study, it’s not over, right?”
Theo takes in a deep breath and releases the air slowly through his mouth. “It all depends on how you look at the situation,” he explains, keeping his answer unfulfilling and straightforward.
“Oh,” I respond. I might be squinting at the fire now, still trying to piece the facts together so I can figure out what the hell is going on.
“Mind if I borrow you for a moment, Ashley?” A new voice and a new face greet me. I was about to say no, but he cups his hand around my elbow and guides me in another direction, heading for the water.
“Hi,” I greet him, forcing a semi-warm smile. A pair of wide-set, dark eyes stares at me intently. His full, matching dark eyebrows hover, casting a shadow over his cheekbones. He’s overwhelming me with the way he’s smiling at me. It’s as if he’s trying to show all of his teeth at once.
“It’s amazing to get to meet you finally. I was at work earlier when you arrived, so I wasn’t a part of the welcoming committee,” he says, laughing as if this is a joke. A joke I still think is on me. “I am Max Dennis, by the way. You may have seen my face on billboards while driving through the island.” Nope, I don’t recognize his face.
“It’s nice to meet you, Max. I’m Ashley.” I’m still trying my best to be courteous, but I’m fighting the snarling curl edging into the side of my lips.
Max laughs, not rudely, but more likeatme as if he thinks I’m cute. “We all know who you are, Ashley.”
“Oh,” I huff. Of course everyone knows me. How do they know me? It better just be by my bland Facebook profile. “So, what’s your story, Max? Why is your face on billboards in this town?”
Max scratches at his chin. “It’s too soon for my story, beautiful” he says. “Just know, I’m here for the right reasons.”
Well, I don’t know why the hellI’mhere, so I’m glad he has the right reason.
“You know, this all kind of feels familiar—like I’ve seen this all play out on a TV show or something.”
“Reality TV has everything these days, huh?” he counters, closing my question with a dull response.
