Page 65 of Playing With Matches
“Jesus, just get it over with. And why is she doing that hand thing?” Jackson asks.
“She probably doesn’t want her mascara to run,” I answer.
“She’d better pick Ryker,” Jackson says.
“Patience,” Isla says. “Let it ride. It will all work out.”
Chloe is also starting to tear up, as she realizes that she has gone from all of the men being interested in her to none of the men being a great prospect.
“I choose,” Lacey pauses dramatically. I hold my breath till she finishes the sentence, “Ryker.”
“Yasss!” Ryker punches the air and skips over to Lacey, lifting her in the air and kissing her. “She’s my Laceyboo!” He exclaims gleefully.
“Ryker, will you accept my shell?” Lacey thrusts the conch shell at him.
“Hells yeah, Babe,” he holds it up to his lips and blows out a wet-sounding honk that reminds me of a constipated goose. “Do you hear my call?”
The camera follows Ryker carrying Lacey back to his loveseat.
“So this leaves Chloe and Darwin. It is up to you both if you stay or if you go.” Marco gazes gravely at the last two in the group.
Chloe stands, head held high, maintaining her dignity.
“I think she’s going to quit. Shit!” Jackson squeezes my hand.
“Shhhh….” I squeeze back. “Let it ride.”
“I’ve never had a hard time finding dates,” Chloe says. “In fact the opposite is true. I’ve never been skipped over like this and left all alone. I can’t lie, it’s been tough,” she says. “But I’m not a quitter. And Darwin - we had a great time hanging out at the picnic that first day. I know I’m not the girl you’re hoping for right now, but if the algorithm matched us, don’t we owe it to ourselves to give this thing a shot? Darwin, will you accept my shell?”
Jackson exhales in relief beside me, still holding my hand.
“Okay, fine, whatever, you gotta be in it to win it,” Darwin says, coming around the firepit to stand awkwardly beside her. He doesn’t even attempt to blow the conch shell. Instead, he holds it up to his mouth making fake kazoo noises. “Doot doot doo doo - Chloe, do you hear my call?”
The whole time he’s doing it, he’s staring longingly in Lacey and Ryker’s direction.
“Cut! That’s a wrap!” Rory shouts. “Great work everyone. I know today was tough. Take tomorrow to relax. We have some fun dates planned for all three couples in the afternoon, and tomorrow night we’ll be doing a karaoke takeover at the resort’s pub!”
Jackson and I spill out of the tent and rush over to the gazebo to give high fives. Rob reminds us both that we need to shoot confessionals tonight, weighing in on the results of the ceremony.
“Want to grab dinner with me, first?” Jackson asks hopefully.
“Sorry, she can’t.” Rob slides between us, linking arms with me. “Isla is all mine tonight. We have to get right on it with planning the dates for our couples. But thanks for everything so far, Jackson, and no sweat about the logo. Just get a new one to us by the end of the week, and we’ll fix everything in post. I think we only have to record a couple of pickups.”
“I’m free if you want to grab something right now,” Rory grabs Jackson's arm, and I feel an unfamiliar surge of possessiveness shoot through me. I don’t like her touching him. It triggers such a nasty feeling when she does. Like an emotional gag reflex.
She was also awfully clingy at the pier, too.
I don’t want to know, but of course I do. Her stray thoughts are like a word cloud floating above her head. A cloud filled with things like “snack,” “hit that,” and “shoulda waxed.” Jumbled, but suggestive. I don’t have to be an expert code-cracker to figure out what she’s thinking about.
“Don’t take too long, Rory,” Rob cautions. “I know you gotta eat but I need you back here ASAP. Maybe you just fill a few plates with stuff for all of us and bring it back?”
Rory pouts. “I am not your PA, Rob. Send someone else.”
“I’m happy to bring some food back if you let me know what you want. Or in Isla’s case, what I want.” Jackson winks at me.
After Jackson takes everyone’s order and heads off towards the buffet, Rob and I take a seat back in the production tent. Rob rolls up his sleeves and leans back in his chair.
“This is where it all finally starts to come together, Isla. Let’s make some magic.”
