AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I chuckled and corrected Aaron, “I think our situation is a little different. For one, we know about each other. And thisisa dating show. We should all be exploring our options.”
“He says, while not exploring his options,” Aaron teased.
I reached my arm out and increased the speed on his treadmill. If he couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t point out my hypocrisy.
Zander chimed in at my lack of an answer. Not a hint of strain, even though he was almost flat-out sprinting. “Of course, he hasn’t. He’s positively smitten.”
I did a double take at his cutesy language and opened my mouth to protest, but the words got tangled on my tongue. “Well, fuck… I’m bloody smitten, aren’t I?”
Zander grinned, and Aaron whooped loudly. The redhead almost tripped over his own two feet, but quickly grabbed the bars on either side of the machine to keep himself upright.
When they pressed for more, I waved them both off. I didn’t need their questions or opinions. I just needed to run. So I ran and ran, letting my thoughts organize as I pushed myself to my limit.
Twenty minutes later, we finished with cardio and stepped off our machines. Walking over to the weight bench, I pulled my shirt off and left the sweat-soaked garment draped over one of the unused machines. This humid heat would be the death of me.
I was used to London, and even though I was moving to Southern California and expected the heat, at least the humidity was mild. I’d done copious research before accepting the position and was looking forward to the sunshine without the constant moisture in the air.
Aaron motioned for me to go first so he could spot me while Zander moved over to the butterfly machine to work his chest.
Once I was on the bench, Aaron stacked a good amount of weight on the bar and leaned over it, smiling widely. “I think it’s cute.”
“What?”
“That you’re into her and aren’t afraid of a little competition. But you really should get to know the others as well. It’s all part of the game.” I was about to protest, but he held up a hand to stop me. “Dude, you’re a smart guy; you know this is a numbers game. They obviously looked over our questionnaires to make sure we were all compatible in some way. Otherwise, this would be a dating show with people who had no common ground at all. It would be a literal shit show. I’m not saying you give up Sophie or stop fighting for her if you think she’s your match here, but it wouldn’t hurt to give the others a chance.”
I chose not to point out the incorrect use of literal, but I got the gist.
“Are you doing the same, then?” I asked, referencing his immediate, almost couple-like relationship with Kayla from night one.
“Just think about it,” he said, sidestepping my question and tapping the weight bar.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I gripped the bar and lifted it off the rack. We worked through weights for an hour, and I let the physical activity quiet my brain as I processed.
Zander was finishing up a set of sit-ups with Aaron holding his feet in place, when I finally broke my silence. Mostly because they’d kept peppering me with questions and scenarios that were driving me mad. “Fine. I won’t shut anyone out, but I will still focus on Sophie. I think we’re a good match, but it’s not fair to close everyone else off this early.”
Zander gave me a curious look as sweat beaded his brow. He huffed out a harsh breath and folded his elbows on his knees as he looked up at me.
Aaron’s head snapped up. “Just not Kayla.”
“God, you’re like a dog marking its territory. Don’t fret, Aaron. I won’t steal your girl.” I shot him a cheeky wink, and he scowled. He was fun to mess with and easy to talk to.
“That damned British accent works on everyone. Hell, I’m halfway in love with you.”
Zander laughed and shook his head. I held out a hand, and he clasped it, letting me pull him up. “Just be careful. I think you have a good thing going with Sophie,” Zander said, clapping my shoulder and gripping it tighter than necessary. “Come on, we should grab some food before we’re left with scraps. I doubt evenyoucould smooth-talk anyone into giving us the last of the bacon.”
So long as it wasn’t the streaky bacon Americans enjoyed, I’d fight for it. There was something to be said about British bacon, and yes, there was a clear winner for my palate.
We got to the kitchen and found three plates set aside with sausages, eggs, fruit, and toast, all covered with plastic wrap. Someone was thoughtful enough to leave us some food, and I was equally ravenous and grateful.
“Yes!” Aaron cheered, picking up the plates and bringing them to the table as I made coffee and Zander made protein shakes for us.
We were halfway through our meal when the phone rang, making the food I just ate sit heavily in my stomach. I was in a love-hate relationship with that phone and we’d been here less than 72 hours.
Zander wiped his face and led the way, calling up the stairs and out the door to gather the others. It wasn’t long before they all made their way to the big cabana and we settled on the low couches.
The girls were all wearing a variation of the same thing. Swimsuits covered with kaftans—blame my mom for introducing that word into my vocabulary—and flip-flops. Sophie looked incredible in a teal suit, visible through the sheer white of her coverup. It made me want to unwrap her and find out exactly what she looked like under it.
I looked around, taking stock of the other women I was supposed to branch out to get to know. My stomach recoiled at the thought, but logic dictated it was the right move.
