“Not quite a vacation,” Pedro Monfort, says. “This week, you’ll meet each other’s families over a shared meal.”
I’ve read the paperwork, so I knew about this milestone. Also, I’d already made it clear to my parents that if they refused to cook dinner for Antoine and me, I’d have to empty my savings account to pay the draconian fine stipulated in my contract. The threat worked like a charm.
“At the end of the week,” Pedro continues, “you’ll move in together. The show is renting seven beautiful apartments in Paris, just for you.”
Amelie takes over. “The aim of this next phase is to explore how you adapt to living together, sharing responsibilities, and managing routines.”
“Like, who takes out the trash?” someone asks.
“Exactly,” Amelie confirms.
Pedro wraps up. “Living together as a couple will be the real test, folks. Can you survive each other’s quirks? Can you compromise? Will your relationship make it to Decision Day and beyond?”
The room goes quiet at the mention of Decision Day.
Amelie scans our faces. “Where do you guys stand after the honeymoon, romance-wise?”
The air in the room becomes even heavier. Marin and Clara, with whom I spent some time socializing at the party, shift uncomfortably and exchange meaningful looks.What’s going on?They seemed happy together the day before yesterday.
Marin clears his throat. “We’ve decided to quit.”
Gasps ripple through the room. A few faces freeze in shock. The cameras swivel and zoom with frenetic energy, capturing every twitch of an eyebrow and every widening eye. This kind of drama is reality TV gold for the producers. I can almost hear them congratulating themselves and imagining the slow-motion close-ups they’ll use to heighten the moment.
“We don’t see a future together,” Clara adds. “No point in dragging it out.”
Marin nods. “We already know that moving in together will only aggravate our issues.”
Isabelle offers a sympathetic smile. “Thank you for being honest. It’s never an easy decision, but it’s better to know now than later.”
The others say they’re staying married, even if some have their doubts, and one has considered a trial separation, but decided to give the marriage another chance.
When it’s our turn, Isabelle’s gaze lands on us expectantly. “Laura? Antoine? What about you?”
I glance at Antoine who looks at me.
Amelie winks. “We’ve noticed all the touching that’s going on, by the way.”
“We’re on,” Antoine says, his hand wrapping a little tighter around mine.
I nod for emphasis. “We’re ready for the next step.”
Everyone claps.
“That’s great to hear!” Amelie beams. “Congratulations!”
Her colleagues praise us like proud parents. Isabelle and the production crew cheer. The other couples yell “bravo” and “hurray.” The cameras spin.
Antoine murmurs in my ear, “No pressure, right?”
“Just a ticking clock and a national audience,” I whisper back. “But other than that, none at all.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LAURA
Antoine is walking next to me, his hands in his pockets, his eyes scanning the street. I’d be more nervous preparing to meet my parents if I were in his shoes. Does he realize he’s going to be judged from the moment he sets foot in their apartment and up until he steps out? Should I warn him?
“Do you know Belleville?” I ask instead.
