I stopped myself from answering too quickly, thinking about how that had burned me in the past when they had asked if I planned on sticking with Arnie. Brady was not going to make me look stupidagain.
“I mean, I know we got last place this time so anything is a possibility, but I think Eli plans to pick me.” And even though I had picked Eli for today’s challenge, this was the first moment that I felt truly content with my decision and where the two of us stood.
I couldn’t imagine any of the other guys picking me, anyway. Trace and Danny were basically a couple at this point, and Arnie and Rachel were definitely hitting it off. Grant and Sofia might not be a love connection, but Grant and I had hardly spoken. There was no way he would pick me.
An hour later,after another one of the most amazing hot showers of my life, I walked into the lounge to find Eli already sitting on the couch by the fireplace. Arnie and Rachel sat together on the other side of the long, L-shaped sofa.
As soon as he saw me, Eli stood up and pulled me into him. “Hey,” he said, his voice muffled in my hair.
“Hey,” I said, as he moved away but kept his hands firmly on my arms. His touch felt so easy compared to just a day ago. “What was that for?”
He shrugged. “I know how those interviews can be. Especially after the day you just had.” I tried not to stare at his lips.
“It should be illegal for them to do those before they let us take a shower and change.”
His mouth twitched with amusement. “It’s inhumane,” he agreed.
Eli plopped back onto the couch and I followed suit. I sat a few inches away from him, but he pulled me closer before tucking me into his side. Normally this simple gesture would send my mind into overdrive, dissecting every little implication of cuddling with Eli. But this time, my body overruled any objection. The comfort of his arms around me was too inviting, and for once, I surrendered to the sensation.
“Near-death experiences must be the new way to build a connection on this show,” Rachel said.
“It would seem that way,” I muttered.
Eli frowned and shifted next to me. “Let’s not give them too much credit, or they’ll keep jeopardizing our safety.”
“I’m just glad it all worked out. You two are clearly a better match than we were,” Arnie said, relief in his voice.
“I mean, at this point we haven’t completed a challenge without an injury,” Eli grumbled.
“Hey!” I swatted his chest. “We made it through the ‘how well do you know your partner’ game unscathed.”
“So, you’re saying as long as it’s not a physical challenge, we might have a shot?” he asked, grinning down at me.
Rachel and Arnie laughed. This was so easy, sitting here with just the four of us. I could almost forget where we were for a moment.
“Yo yo yo.” Grant announced his arrival as he splayed himself out in the chair directly next to the fire. Sofia trailed behind him. She said nothing as she perched on the far end of the couch.
We all said our hellos, but the energy had shifted. It was like their arrival sucked all the conversation out of us. Suddenly none of us had anything to say. While I hoped wholeheartedly that Arnie and Rachel might want to keep in touch after all this, I doubted I’d ever speak to Grant or Sofia again.
Eli rubbed circles on my shoulder absentmindedly. I caught Sofia glaring at us.
“Well, this is awkward,” Grant said frankly.
“It doesn’t make it any less awkward when you point it out,” Rachel replied bitterly.
“I’ve got any idea.” Grant leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. “Let’s play Never Have I Ever.”
Eli groaned. “That game is for college kids trying to get drunk.”
“Yeah, I’m good,” Arnie agreed.
“Come on,” Grant insisted. “I’m bored. What else is there to do around here?”
When I caught Eli’s eye, he was watching me expectantly.
“Would you prefer we all continue to sit here in silence?” Grant pressed.
“Fine,” Rachel relented. “But we’re playing the clean version. No weird sexual questions.”
