Page 30 of Heat & Hard Candies

Nate’s eyes widened. “What?”

My lips curved upward.

“Fuck, he’s good.” The man leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. “Didn’t see that coming. He looked like he’d given up before the season started.”

“I think he had, but I wanted him before I ever made it to the island. He’s a good guy.”

“A damn good one,” Nate admitted. “Did you know that all the men he paired off so far were the oldest ones?”

My eyebrows lifted. “Seriously?”

“Yep. No one’s faded since Survival started. The closest guy to dying now is Colt, and he has a handful of years before he’s gone. The only one close to going is Kyle.”

“Damn. This game won’t be the same without him,” I said, though there was no sadness in my voice. As much as I liked watching him play, I liked watching himlivea hell of a lot more.

“It won’t, but I’ll try to do what he’s been doing. He just thinks I’m too nice for it.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Kyle told you you’re too nice for matchmaking?”

“Too nice forSurvival, actually.”

I snorted. “Typical. Is he right?”

“Maybe.” Nate shrugged, giving me a good-natured smile. “But I could do worse.”

He had a point.

He’d made it to the final three, after all.

“Do you think Ev and Reid will work together to get rid of Kyle?” I asked, my nerves setting in again.

“Nah. Ev doesn’t even want to be here. He’s refused to strategize since your shitty date with him. Reid will vote with Kyle without a second thought.”

I bit my lip. “I feel kind of bad for that date. And all the others.”

“Don’t. It’s admirable not to lead anyone on. Losing would hurt a hell of a lot worse if we thought you might actually want us.”

“I hope the other guys feel that way too.”

“They do. And if they don’t right now, they will when they’ve had time to think about it.”

Our food arrived, and the conversation faded as we dug in.

If my final reward challenge couldn’t be with Kyle, I was really, really glad it was Nate.

Even if I was struggling to contain my fear for the guy I was going to choose as my mate.

ten

LAUNA

I was legitimately shakingwhen the boat finally brought us back to theSurvivalisland for the last time. My body trembled with the weight of my fear, no matter how hard I fought it.

Nate offered his arm to steady me, but I shook my head, shoving my hands in the stretchy pockets on my bike shorts. I didn’t want to watch them quiver all the way to the last council.

We hiked all the way there in silence. The last guys were already waiting, having just recently finished their final vote.

I pled with the universe to let it be Kyle as we walked, repeating the words over and over again.

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