“I’m trying. You’re kinda hard to impress. I’m not a waffle.”
She laughs, and I grin.
“I think you have all the other guys intimidated,” I fake-whisper.
Courtney frowns. “Why?”
I shrug. “Pretty girls have that effect on stupid boys.”
She nods thoughtfully. “Good point.”
I scoff and nudge her shoulder as she laughs, setting her plate to the side.
“So, how are you feeling so far?” Courtney asks.
A buzz question we’ve been told to ask frequently to any and everyone that we speak to. I guess it helps connect the audience with the contestant and gives people insight on what’s goingthrough our minds. And it beats watching people sit in awkward silence, I guess.
“I’m feeling good. I’m glad to be here. Beautiful island, beautiful house, beautiful girl,” I say with a pointed look at her.
Courtney rolls her eyes and playfully shoves my shoulder. “You just won’t quit, will you? Do you have an off switch somewhere?” she asks as she rises up on her knees and begins running her fingers through my hair, pulling my ears forward as if she’s looking for an actual switch.
I laugh, allowing her to do whatever she wants to me, and then a camera guy comes closer, practically shoving the lens in our face. Courtney freezes before she seems to remind herself to pretend the cameras aren’t here. Easier said than done, though.
Our eyes lock, and her hands are still on me when I drop my arm so it’s wrapped around her waist. My gaze bounces from her eyes to her lips, anticipation heavy between us as we both begin leaning towards one another.
But before our lips can touch, an annoying-as-hell voice comes booming from the other side of the yard.
“How we all doing?” Alex smiles as he struts in, commanding the attention of everyone.
Including Courtney.
Damnit.
Chapter Seven
Courtney
Alex couldn’t have come at a worse time. Or maybe better? I like Noah, at least I think I do. I want things to keep progressing, but I want them to progress naturally, if that makes sense? I’m not sure that’s even possible given our scenario, though. I need to stop being so controlling over things and just let it happen.
When I look back to Noah, he’s already focused on Alex, but he glances at me for a moment before giving me a small smile that reassures me. Of what? Couldn’t tell you.
“Hello, hello. Why don’t you all join me over here?” Alex says as he heads for the large couch we all sat on last night.
Slowly, everyone follows him, the last being Dallas and Luna, once they finally pry themselves from each other. Their soaking feet pad against the concrete pathway, and they’re snickering to themselves as they take a seat on the couch. Luna sits beside Angel, and I can’t lie that I’m amused by the snarl she casts her when Luna’s wet thigh brushes against her.
“I hope you all are settling in and getting to know each other,” Alex says as he looks around the group.
We all nod, a few murmuring various affirmations.
“Well, that’s good because today we’re going to be doing another icebreaker challenge that’s really going to allow you to get to know your fellow contestants in ways you never dreamed.”
“I don’t know, Alex, I got quite the imagination,” Calvin throws out, earning a smirk and a fist bump from Mason.
Alex laughs, and I notice how the grumpy producer makes an irritated face before signaling to a cameraman to cut. The rest of them keep filming, and I turn my gaze back to Alex as he continues.
“For this challenge, we’ll be splitting up into teams. Red vs. blue. Each of you will grab a jersey, and whichever color it is will be your team for the challenge.”
“Cut!” the grumpy producer shouts.
