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We cheered for the happy couple as they kissed and wrapped their arms around each other.
“And what about Zander and Viv?” Troy asked, turning our attention to the other paired-up couple. “You two had a slower start, but how are things going lately?”
Viv looked at Zander and gestured for him to answer the question.
“Fantastic. I came here not expecting much, so I didn’t give it my all. Then, that first night, there was this snoring chainsaw in my bed.” Viv smacked a hand on Zander’s chest as he laughed. “Nah, but any girl that can out-snore me is one to pay attention to.”
“Oh, you love it!” Viv teased above the rest of our cheering.
“Julie, Ryan,” Troy said once we settled down, “what about you two? Viewers are speculating there’s something there, but you’ve yet to confirm anything on camera for us.”
Ryan looked at Julie beside him and gave her a smile I’d never seen. “While Julie is awesome and more than a little annoying with all the nicknames, I have some work to do on myself before I date anyone again.”
My ex turned toward me, remorse in his eyes and his hands folded in front of him. “I also need to apologize. Publicly. Sophie, you were right. What we had wasn’t the love you have with those three. I’m sorry I got so lost in my head and didn’t see what was right in front of my face. I should have let you go when you were done, and I hope you can forgive me.”
I disentangled myself from my guys and crossed the platform. Ryan moved forward, and I hugged his stiff body tightly until he relaxed. “I forgive you, Ryan.”
He kissed the top of my head, more in a gesture of goodbye than one of affection. I returned to my spot, not missing it when his Adam's apple bobbed roughly.
Troy joined in on the clapping the others were doing before turning to Cheryl and Nicoletta. “Unfortunately, you two didn’t form connections while you were here, but that doesn’t mean you are walking away empty-handed.”
Interest piqued, we all eyed Troy with suspicion. Rarely were his surprises good ones.
“Julie, Ryan, Cheryl, and Nicoletta, the producers have decided that if you wish, two of you can come back for season two ofLove on Displayand try your hand at finding love again.”
We cheered for our housemates as the words sunk in. I had a feeling Cheryl would pass on that. After our talk in the closet, I was sure she would contact Antonio and see if they could work things out. I hoped it worked, and they got back together. Everyone deserved happiness, even if they’d messed up along the way.
“And now,” Troy said, “without further ado, our winners.”
Aaron started a drumroll on the tabletop, and after two seconds, the rest of us joined in, giving Troy our attention and all the pomp and circumstance the situation called for.
“Our winners are…”
We waited, staring with bated breath as Troy dragged out the moment. The cameras surrounding us all panned left and right, getting our faces in the shots, and playing up the drama for it all.
“Gia and Daniel!” Troy shouted.
Everyone on that beach cheered their hearts out for our resident unflappable couple. While winning the money would have been nice, I’d had the experience of a lifetime and my life was made all the richer for having found Aaron, Oliver, and Diego.
Oliver and Ryan both grabbed bottles of champagne from the bar and popped the corks, while the rest of us divvied up glasses and hugged the winning couple.
Troy let us go on for a few minutes and celebrate, and once the cheering and passionate kisses had died down, he cleared his throat.
“Congratulations, you two. You’ve really taken this experience and worked with it to build that relationship from the ground up. Your commitment and willingness to open up to one another was a big hit with the viewers.”
Daniel still had his arm wrapped around Gia, and he squeezed her close. His smile was radiant and Gia looked like she was ready to pass out from all the excitement.
“However, we have one more announcement before we wrap the first season ofLove on Display. We have an extra surprise as well for another relationship here on the island.”
Cue the dramatic pause like usual.
“A GoFundMe campaign was created by a group of people who saw the value in representing unique relationships on television,” Troy said as my breath caught in my throat.
“The Polyamorous Pact has raised $30,000 in two short days, and is giving it to the relationship that voters could not choose because of the way the voting system had been set up before filming began. But we vow to fix that before next season airs, so voters may choose foranyrelationship they want.”
My jaw was damn near on the floor. Aaron was gripping my waist as Diego stood behind me, and Oliver was on my right, holding my free hand as it shook in his.
Troy smiled at us. “Congratulations, Aaron, Oliver, Diego, and Sophie. You four are going home with a prize and the support of our viewers.”
