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“What’s the point of a dating show if we aren’t pairing off?” says the gym rat. “The purpose of the dating show is to hook up. Contractually speaking, I didn’t sign up for this to spend the whole time alone.” He must be the lawyer.
Another guy, I’m guessing the athlete, laces his fingers together and then pushes his arms out. “You’re just worried because I’m going to beat your ass in whatever competition is going to happen and then I’ll get to pick first.” He glances in my direction. “I know who I’m spending the night with.”
Serena and Quinn move closer together as if his statement scares them. I walk forward into his line of vision and cross my arms. Athlete rolls his eyes. He must think that the contest will be physical and therefore he’ll win, but he doesn’t look stronger than me, and I doubt he’s smarter.
“We don’t need your protection.” Serena shoves past me with her hand clasped in Quinn’s.
“She’s right. We’re doing fine on our own,” Quinn says. Her chin is high in the air.
I trail behind them as they all walk down to the beach. Serena is going in my black book. For whatever reason, she’s interfering with my and Quinn’s relationship, and that doesn’t work for me. The beauty queen needs to focus on doing whatever beauty queens do and leave Quinn to me.
CHAPTER 6
QUINN
All the women stand together while the men have to line up at the start of the obstacle course. At least that’s what it looks to be. I glance up to see drones hovering over us.
“There’s Owen.” Christina’s whole face lights up. I wonder if they know each other. She said that she was an actress.
“Who is he?” I ask as he walks toward us in a suit. It’s a bit out of place considering how hot it is and the fact that we’re on the beach.
“The host. Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one?” Christina snips at me. Out of all the women, she’s the only one that’s been rude. I’m not sure what her problem is.
“I mean, I’ll be the smart one,” I offer. Serena laughs.
“I think someone has a crush on Owen. You know he’s not one of the options, right?” Serena has become my favorite in the short time I’ve gotten to know the girls. There’s just something about her that makes you feel comfortable.
We’d been together a bit before we were sent to our cabana tents, and got to mingle before we were called over. Between Leo, and trying to remember everyone’s names, I’m overwhelmed. Serena is chill. I hadn’t seen that coming. I might have had some preconceived notions about her coming into this with her being the beauty queen. But she’s nothing like I expected.
Christina shoots a glare at Serena that could kill. It doesn’t even faze her. I could imagine after experiencing the pageant world that a glare is nothing to Serena. I’m sure she’s had to deal with a heck of a lot worse.
“I don’t get it,” Serena whispers next to me. “His forehead is too shiny.” I burst into laughter. All the men turn to glance our way. My eyes lock with Leo’s. He is always staring at me. I’m not sure what to make of him. One second I think he’s being rude, and the next, I’m not so sure.
“Don’t forget you’re wearing mics,” Owen says as he steps onto a podium that’s been set up.
Christina’s face flushes. Again, Serena is unfazed that Owen heard what she had said about his forehead. A few people flock to Owen, one of them adjusting the mic in his ear while another brushes his face with makeup.
For his shiny forehead, Serena mouths to me. I bite the inside of my cheek so I don’t laugh again.
“All right. We’re going to start. No looking at the cameras or mentioning them at any time. Act as though they aren’t there. It gives the viewers a more real experience,” Owen tells us all. It was on the top of the list of things we can’t do that was provided to us. There weren’t a ton of things on that list, but that one was in big bold letters. You could throw a drink in someone’s face, but you must pretend there is no camera crew lingering around at all times.
A woman starts to count down. The second she hits the number one, Owen snaps into a different person. His voice changes to do an introduction before he starts to explain the competition. It’s not all physical. At one spot you have to solve a puzzle, while another, a riddle.
I’m really glad that the girls get to sit this one out. I might be able to do a puzzle and riddle, but there is no way I was getting up the wall at the very end. Not to mention I hate heights.
