Chapter Five
Olivia
“We’re almost there.”
The bearded pilot of the small private plane called back to me, and I peered out the window as the Starling Islands slowly came into view. Holy hell. The place looked amazing. Surrounded by brilliantly-blue ocean, it was an archipelago east of Africa made up of dozens of islands, some tiny and some large. According to my recent Google spree, the bigger islands had once been a hotbed of pirate activity several hundred years ago.
On one island, I could see little huts standing on stilts right out in the crystal-clear water. On another larger one, a long beach with pristine white sand stretched out for miles, and on the biggest island lay a rugged jungle. The archipelago looked like a dream, and for a second I almost stopped regretting my decision to come here. This was a once-in-a-lifetime sort of vacation.
As the seaplane began to descend, I squinted, trying to take everything in. Now that we were getting closer, I could see beautifully-colored birds flitting around the tall palm trees on the beaches. I could even see fish swimming in the clear azure water.
The plane drew closer to the second-biggest island, where a gorgeous stucco resort with extravagant terraces overlooked the beach. A true island paradise.
“All right, hold tight. We’re coming in.”
I was so entranced by the scenery that I barely even noticed the bumpy landing by the pier, and I also barely noticed anyone speaking to me as I was led out of the plane and up the shell-covered path toward the resort.
“Hello?” A bespectacled man waved a clipboard in my face a moment later. “You in there?”
I smiled. “Sorry, I was just lost in my own world. It’s so gorgeous here.”
“Whatever. I assume you’re Olivia?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m Ben. Junior producer here on the show. Follow me. Seeing as you’re a last minute replacement for one of the dropouts, you have to meet with our exec producer upon arrival.”
“One of the dropouts?”
“Yeah.” Ben let out an exasperated sigh. “Apparently there were two. Anyway, this way. You aren’t allowed to meet any of the male contestants yet, for obvious reasons, but you can meet the other women until Ellen is available for that meeting. They’re all having lunch at the moment.”
“Ellen?” I asked, pretending not to know who she was.
“Save the act around me, kiddo. Most of the show workers know who you really are. It’s only the viewers and other contestants who don’t know.”
“Oh.”
“Remember to keep it that way. If anyone catches wind that you’re related to the exec producer….well, they’ll all cry favoritism.”
“I know. I don’t plan on staying on the show too long, anyway, so don’t worry.”
Although with this view, I might just try to stop myself from getting voted off for at least a few weeks, I added silently.
Ben took me into the resort foyer and barked orders at someone to take my suitcases to my room, and he handed me a key. “Third floor, room two. You can find it later,” he said. “This way to the other ladies.”
He led me to a large room which overlooked the water, and I sighed with pleasure. Just when I thought the views couldn’t get any better, they did. The far side of the room was one big glass viewing window, and I almost wanted to smash through it and jump right out into the inviting azure water below. The room itself was gorgeous, too. Gleaming marble floors, dark wood furniture, crisp cream-colored walls and features.
An enormous lacquered-wood table sat in the center of the room, and I counted eleven women sitting at it. They all looked up as I approached with Ben. Some stared at me with interest, some with suspicion, and others went right back to their crab cakes and cappuccinos.
“This is Olivia. She’s the twelfth female participant,” Ben said. “Olivia, this is everyone else.”
He went around the table, rattling off everyone’s names. I tried to remember them all, but I knew I would need reminders later. Then Ben hurried off, promising to come and get me when my Mom was ready to see me. I sat down awkwardly at the end of the table between a brunette with pale skin and an elegant neck—Isobel, I think her name was—and a petite blonde with a gorgeous tan and stunning blue eyes.
“I’m Shayla,” the blonde said, reaching a hand over as she flashed a radiant smile. She had a soft, lilting Southern accent, and the way her eyes crinkled around the sides as she grinned told me she was genuine, unlike some of the other women here who looked like bitchy wax figurines as they side-eyed me. “Figured you might’ve forgotten some of the names already.”
I gave her a wry smile. “Yeah, I have. Sorry, it’s just all such a whirlwind.”
“No worries. I was the same when I arrived yesterday.”
When she paused to take a sip of water, I turned to flash a friendly smile at Isobel. She simply rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to her food. Oookay then... I guess she was going to be one of the bitchy contestants this season. There were always more than a few on reality shows. It created good drama, and drama led to good ratings. That didn’t mean I liked being on the receiving end of the bitchiness, though.
Shayla leaned over and whispered in my ear. “Just ignore it. She’s been like that to everyone.”
“Well, at least there’s one nice person here so far,” I replied.
She smiled as she moved the food on her plate around with her fork. “So what made you apply for the show?”
I hesitated. Shit. I hadn’t even thought of a cover story yet. “I…” I felt a blush spreading across my cheeks, and Shayla playfully elbowed me.
“Ooh, I get it. You’re really looking for love, huh?” She winked.
I gave her a sheepish smile. “Yep. So sick of all the guys these days. Figured it’d take something really dramatic to fuel my fire.”
“Hear, hear. Most men suck.” Her voice was soft as she spoke, staring down at her lap. I got the impression she’d been hurt in the past. “But I’m the same as you. I’m hoping to get paired off with a truly nice guy here. I figured if a man is applying for a show like this, then he must be serious about looking for love.”
“Or serious about getting a million dollars,” Isobel muttered snidely, clearly eavesdropping on our conversation.
“Well, obviously the money doesn’t hurt either, but you’re one to talk,” Shayla said, eyebrows dipping in an offended frown. “After all, you’re here too, aren’t you?”
Isobel shrugged and returned her gaze to her plate. Shayla rolled her eyes at me. “See what I mean?” she mouthed. I nodded. Isobel was clearly one to stay away from.
“Olivia? The exec producer is ready to see you now.” Ben called to me from the entrance to the room.
I smiled at Shayla and stood. “Wish me luck.”
“Luck. See ya later.”
I followed Ben up two flights of stairs to what was apparently my mom’s office while she was here. He opened the door for me, then took off again, and I stepped inside, squealing as I saw that Mom had brought William with her.
“Hey, birdy! I’ve missed you.” I cooed at him in his travel cage, and Mom stood up, tight smile on her face.
“Nice to know you missed me too,” she said.
“Of course I’ve missed you. That just goes without saying,” I replied, carefully defusing the situation. She could be such a drama queen.
She smiled, and I noticed she’d recently had her teeth whitened again. “Good to see you, sweetheart. Thanks again for doing this for me. You’ve really saved our asses.”
“That’s okay.”
“Now, let’s get down to business. There’s a few things I need to tell you.”
“Oh?”
“I didn’t tell you this the other day, but another contestant dropped out at the last minute too. A male one. I was able to find a replacement for him very quickly, though.”
I raised my brows. “Oh. Okay.”
“Male and female contestants aren’t allowed to meet before the show starts filming. But I want you to meet him. It’s a bit of a…. different situation.”
I wrinkled my forehead. She was being very vague, very esoteric. “Um. Right. Go on. Why do I have to meet him? Is it someone I know?”
Seeing as she’d roped me into filling in for a dropout contestant, it made sense that she would’ve found someone else she knew to replace the other dropout. And that meant there was every chance it was a guy I knew as well.
“Not exactly.” Mom tapped her fingernails on her desk and let out a sigh. “This is going to take some explaining. But let’s just wait until he gets here.”
The door opened again a moment later, and I turned my head to see a familiar face. Familiar eyes, familiar lips, familiar muscles….oh my god.
Mac.
He stared back at me with an equal amount of shock on his face.
“I…” I was about to say something, ask how and why the hell he was here, but he shot me a warning glance that made the words dry up on my lips.
“Declan, this is my daughter Olivia. Olivia, this is Declan,” Mom said proudly, stepping over to him. “My husband.”