Hudson and I both agree with a nod. There were questions about our favorite moments in the show, our worst ones, and even if we snuck around behind the cameras. Of course, we denied the sneaking around, but our smiles conveyed the truth. My favorite part of the show was being able to see the white sand beaches and relaxing, while Hudson’s was taking the Jeep through Arikok National Park and getting badonkaskonk branded on his back. I can’t wait to have a picture of it blown up and framed for my house. That’s a memory I never want to forget.
Once the interview is over and the cameras are off, we’re free. Ryan shakes our hands and walks with us into the hallway. Jean and Stan stay in the meeting room with the rest of the camera crew. “That’s it, you guys. How do you feel?”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Pretty good.” Hudson agrees with a nod.
Ryan chuckles. “Glad to hear it. The show was actually a success. Your sister came up with a creative concept for reality TV. She doesn’t know this yet, but I’ve been asked to host again for another segment next year. She’s going to be surprised tonight with the news.”
Excitement bubbles in my veins. “Oh my God, that’s amazing. She’s going to be so ecstatic.”
He shakes our hands again. “Take care, you two. I wish you all the best.”
“Same to you,” I reply. As soon as he’s gone, Hudson pulls me into his arms and kisses me. I melt against him and sigh. “We can do whatever we want now.”
Hudson nibbles my bottom lip. “Yes, we can. I have a few ideas. Remember the other night in bed when we talked about what we’d like to do before we leave?” I remember it very well. We talked about sneaking into the private pool and going skinny dipping.
Giggling, I step back and stare at him. “Were you being serious?”
He winks. “Yep. You up for it? We might get caught.”
You only live once, right? I’ve never been one for breaking the rules, but tonight, I’m not afraid. Taking his hand, I pull him toward the elevator and wink. “Let’s do it. It’s our last night.”
We stop at the elevator and he kisses me. “But it’s the first of many.”
* * *
3 MONTHS LATER
It’s only been three months since the show, and Hudson and I have already found our way back to Aruba and to the same resort since we loved it so much. We’ve been inseparable. I don’t think we’ve gone a day where we haven’t seen each other.
Things have changed so much since that fateful day Hudson picked my egg. We’ve been on several talk shows and local news stations to talk about our experiences. To this day, we still get requests and our calendars are already filling up. I don’t mind doing it together with Hudson. He doesn’t want to do anything without me and vice versa. In the back of my mind, I was afraid he’d want the fame over me, but that’s not the case. He lets me know every day how much he loves me. I can’t believe it took me so long to see how amazing he is.
Once out of the shower, I slip on my yellow sundress and run a towel through my hair. We spent the entire day snorkeling and swimming around in the ocean. This time, we didn’t have the show dictating our plans. “Babe, where do you want to go to eat? I’m down for anything.” There’s no answer. I slide my feet into my sandals and quickly braid my hair to the side. “Hudson?”
Again, no answer. I walk out of the bedroom and he’s nowhere to be found. However, there’s an envelope on the table with my name on it. When I open it up, there’s a note inside.
Meet me where it all began.
Love,
Hudson
“Oh, good Lord, Hudson. What are you doing?” The only place that comes to mind is the courtyard where he picked my egg. With the note in my hand, I leave the hotel room on a mission. I just hope I’m right. I take the elevator down to the lobby which is completely open at the back that leads to the pool. There are iguanas everywhere. It’s not uncommon to find them wandering through the lobby.
I can see the pool through the back exit and right past that is the courtyard. Taking a deep breath, I make my way outside. The sun has already set, but there are twinkling lights all around the pool area. Once I get past the pool is when I see him, standing alone in the middle of the courtyard by the lagoon, dressed in a light blue polo shirt and khaki shorts. It reminds me of that first night. Tiki torches are lit all around the grounds and the stars are bright in the sky. I keep expecting to see a camera crew close by, but it’s just us.
“Hey,” I say as I walk closer.
Hudson greets me with that sexy smile of his. “Hey. Did you miss me?”
“Kind of,” I reply with a laugh. “I found myself talking to an empty room. Didn’t know you left.”
Chuckling, he extends his hand. “Sorry about that. I wanted this to be a surprise.”
I glance around at the lights and at the ocean that glimmers under the moonlight. It’s the perfect setting for …
Eyes wide, I quickly focus back on him. “Hudson. What’s going on?”
Taking both of my hands, he draws me closer. “I’ve thought about this night many times. No matter what I came up with in my mind, there’s only one
