Playfully, I roll my eyes. “Whatever. Keep telling yourself that.” We both laugh quietly and watch the drama unfold across the room. Ryan and the others walk out, leaving all the remaining couples in the dining room. “Guess we finish eating?” I say, taking a bite of my mashed potatoes.
Hudson sits back in his chair. “I can’t wait to see what tonight’s episode will look like. Guess they’ll be showing off the new couples.”
I dread watching it. I have no doubt the camera guys caught all of my expressions. Hudson’s definitely going to see how scared I was, and no doubt, give me grief about it. I like that we can banter back and forth; it’s actually kind of fun. Every guy I’ve dated was serious, and in return, I guess I had no choice but to be that way too. I like being playful and mischievous. Hudson has definitely brought out that side of me.
Once everyone has finished dinner, none of us know what to do until my sister enters the dining room. She waves at everyone and winks at me before addressing us all. “Hey guys. I know we threw you for a loop tonight. We thought we’d spice things up a bit and I think we achieved that. But I am excited that most of you are happy with your partners. That’s the main goal of our show. Hopefully, our new couples will be able to find happiness as well.”
“What do we do now?” I stand and ask.
Erin’s smile broadens. “We’re giving you the night off. Tonight’s live episode will be showing clips of your day dates and then another ceremony where we match the new couples up together.”
The night off? I like the sound of that. Is it bad that my first thought was having Hudson come to my room? Then again, I don’t want the whole world wondering what we’re doing behind closed doors. It’s none of their business. The other couples start to disperse and Erin hurries over to me. “Mind if I borrow her for a sec?” she asks Hudson.
He holds up his hands. “Go for it. I’m going to finish my dinner.” He winks at me and I turn my back on him.
Erin leans in close and turns off her microphone, her voice low. “I tried to give you a way out, but it looks like he didn’t want it.” The cameras could see us, but at least they wouldn’t be able to hear us.
“So that’s what you meant by switching things up,” I whisper back. “You meant that literally.”
She snickers. “Hey, I tried. Looks like you’re not too upset about being stuck with Hudson though.”
I shrug. “Things have changed.”
Her eyes twinkle. “I see that. I’m glad he didn’t take the bait because our viewers love you two together. You’re the most popular couple here.” She nods over at her camera guys for them to leave. “All right, I’m heading out. Just to give you a heads up, the camera guys will still be around the resort. Make sure you tell Hudson before he visits you in your room.”
I snort. “Who says he’s coming to my room?”
Erin bats her eyelashes. “Oh, sweet sister, I know he wants you and you want him. If you don’t want the world knowing what you’re doing don’t let him be seen at your door. Then again, I know the viewers want to see him at your door.” She hugs me and giggles. “Have fun, Allie. I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourself.”
She lets me go and some of the camera crew follows her out. Stan and Jean are still in the dining room. No doubt to follow me and Hudson back to our rooms. Just because we have the night off doesn’t mean we aren’t being filmed. Hudson stands when I make it back to the table. “Everything okay?”
I nod. “Yep.” But then I lower my voice. “I’ll have to tell you later.”
“Okay,” he says, sliding his hands in his pockets and regarding me curiously. I’m hoping he understands my meaning about later. It’d be nice to spend some time with him without the cameras. With Stan and Jean filming us, I don’t want the whole world knowing that whole switch debacle was my sister’s idea to get me away from Hudson. He reaches out for my hand. “Want me to walk you to your room? Don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted.”
“Same,” I agree in all honesty, taking his hand. I don’t know if the whole hand holding thing is just for the show, but it feels right. All I know is that I don’t want the night to end. Some of the other couples leave and we all go our separate ways. Hudson and I are the only ones in the hallway heading toward the elevators with Stan and Jean behind us. “I wonder what adventure we’ll be going on tomorrow,” I say as we wait for the elevator.
Hudson squeezes my hand. “Hopefully it involves some beach time. Gotta show off my perfect tan.” We both laugh and I’m not going to lie, I want to see his back. “You aren’t going to be embarrassed to be seen with me, are you?”
The elevator doors open and we all walk inside. “Not in the least,” I reply. “Next time don’t fall asleep around me. There’s no telling what I’ll do.”
He snorts. “I’ve already learned my lesson on that, cupcake.”
It only takes about fifteen seconds for the elevators to open up on our floor. We walk out and slow our pace on the way to my door. Stan takes the lead so he can get a front shot of us. “Guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” Hudson says, stopping at my door.
I nod. “Yes, you will. And thanks for not opening the box.”
He smirks. “You’re welcome. I wasn’t about to give you up.”
If only he really thought that way. A part of
