“They’ve called a meeting!” Kelly came into the bedroom I now had to myself and sat down on my bed. “I think it’s another elimination. We have to be ready in twenty minutes.”

She didn’t look at me as I sat up, my hair wild and my face a sleepy mess. She sat flicking a nail against her thumb nervously. A deep sigh was another clue that she was eaten up with anxiety.

“It’ll be okay, Kelly. After what David said yesterday, you have nothing to worry about.” I pushed my hair out of my eyes and scrubbed at my face, just in case I’d drooled down one side. I hated that.

“What did he say?” She turned to me, her eyes excited and full of hope.

“I’ve not had coffee yet so I can’t remember exactly, but the man is head over heels for you. Seriously.” I pushed the warm comfort of the covers away. I had about fifteen minutes to make myself look presentable. “Now, since you’re already functioning, could you find me a cup of coffee while I try to make myself look human again?”

I gave her a pitiful smile and she jumped off the bed before bending down to give me a peck on the top of my head. “I’ll be back in five.”

After she left I pushed out of the bed and stood up. It was time for my own nerves to take over. A quick sluice in the shower, my hair piled into a knot on the top of my head, and some eyeliner made me look more alive. I hadn’t slept well, worrying about what had happened on Jake’s date with Arabella had seen to that, and the stress showed on my face. I was as good as I was going to be today.

I slipped into a pair of jeans and a sapphire sweater, black leather boots over my pants my last step before I left my room. I headed to the dining room and hoped I’d be allowed some kind of breakfast before the next bomb was dropped on us. My tummy rumbled as I sat down and smelled the delightful fragrance of ham and the fluffy buttery smell of southern biscuits. Unlike some of the others, I didn’t care enough about my figure to deny myself the delight of a ham biscuit. I had a feeling nervous energy would soon do away with the calories anyway.

I was almost finished with the biscuit when Kelly sat down beside me, two cups of coffee in hand. She was about to speak when Skip walked in, drawing our attention.

“Ladies, are you finished eating? You are? Good, because you’re all going home now. You will return on Christmas Eve when the conclusion to the show will be broadcast live.”

He left without another word as shocked noises filled the air.

I just looked at Kelly, unable to form a thought.

“I have to find David. He has to know how to contact me.” She took off, her own red hair a flag behind her.

I decided I needed to do the same thing and went to find a pen and some paper. I quickly scrawled out my name, phone number, and email address on the paper, folded it up, and headed for his room. I tapped at his door and he soon answered, surprise on his face.

“Laney,” but I interrupted him.

“There’s no time, take this. Call me!” I said and headed back to the dining room, just in case there was more news.

The room was empty when I went in, so I headed back to my own room.

“How do they expect us to be ready in ten minutes? This is crazy!” I heard one girl wailing.

I thought it was too, but went back to my room to throw my belongings in my suitcase. I could only think about the fact that I would be in my own bed tonight, that I would be able to whack Tony over the head for the mess he got me into, and that I would be away from Carol and Arabella. The only downside was, I’d be nowhere near Jake.

Five minutes later I had everything packed and went to the front of the house to await further instructions. I was the first one there, so I looked around at the house to admire it one last time.

The house had been designed by a man, with male tastes at the forefront. Hardwood floors, wood-paneled walls, few lights, dark heavy furniture, it was all about the man. I liked the place but the only thing that ever drew me in were the windows looking out at the beach. Normally, you’d expect a beach house to be open, light, full of white walls and airy ceilings. This place was almost oppressive. It had always confused me and now that I was leaving, I distracted myself from my panic by mulling it all over.

“Hey! You ready?” Kelly came up beside me, full of her normal bouncy energy and her happy smile.

“Yes, but no. This is making me crazy, you know?” I gave her a look I knew would convey my worry, and she put her hand just above my elbow to comfort me.

“It’ll be fine, Laney. I can all but promise you that. Jake is stuck on you, girl. Not on that—” She paused, and I knew she was looking for a really good insult but not coming up with exactly what to insult Arabella with. “Tramp.”

I snorted at her rather fine choice and looked down at my feet to try to stop an outright laugh. “That’s pretty accurate, I’d imagine. The cars are here, let’s go.”

We walked out together, but stopped when Carol stepped out of one of the cars.

“You will be driven to the boats that will take you back to the mainland. You’ll then be driven to the airport, and from there to your respective homes. You are to discuss no part of the show with anyone, not even your BFFs, is that clear? Nothing must be leaked about the show or you will be sued and sued royally.” Her glare made me roll my eyes. The woman was impossible.

There was no, “it’s been great, can’t wait to see you again soon,” or even a, “I hate you and hope you don’t flake out on us,” it was just keep quiet or get sued. Typical Carol.

I went into the nearest car with Kelly and we both leaned over the backseat of the black sedan to stare up at the windows we knew to be the bedroom of each of our men.

I saw David smiling and waving down at Kelly and she waved back with a sigh. I didn’t see Jake anywhere. I felt my smile crack a little. The car started and the driver put it into gear. That’s when Jake appeared in the window, holding up a sign.

‘I will find you!’

I smiled fully again and waved. I really hoped he would find me. To see him, alone, without all of the cameras, the snide dealings, and the rest of it would be nice.

I didn’t even know his last name, but somehow, Jake had become my world.

Kelly sniffed and I knew she was trying not to cry. I handed her a tissue from my bag as I dabbed at my own eyes.

“Wow, I can’t believe I’m about to say this but we have to be brave, Kelly. It’s only a few weeks.” She took the tissue gratefully and gave me a watery smile in return.

“We can do it. Just make sure you call me or I might go crazy!”

“I will and you know it, girl.” I pulled her to my side and hugged her close. “I think I’ll need some support too, you know?”

She leaned into me and we absorbed the comfort offered until we arrived at the boat launch.

We had to part ways at the airport as Kelly was given paperwork for a different carrier to mine, and it was just as hard to watch her goes as it was to leave Jake behind. She’d become so integral to my world in such a short time, I didn’t know how I’d get through the days to come without her smile.

My flight home wasn’t long, just a puddle jump up the coast. Before I knew it, I was standing at my own front door. For a moment, I wondered if it had all been a dream. I didn’t even know what day it was.

Tony opened the front door and all but dragged me into the house.

“Girl, it is so good to see you, but why are you home? Were you eliminated? I’ll write so many furious emails if they did, they’ll think they’re being targeted by a hate group. Come on, come in the house, sit down. Let me grab your bag.”

He plunked me down on the couch in our familiar home and I looked around as he ran about grabbing my luggage and fixing me a glass of tea.

“Here, drink this. You look shell-shocked. Do you hate me?” He sat across from me on the couch, his leg pulled up in front of him.

“I don’t hate you. I do, but not much. I think you’re right with the shellshock. We got up this morning only to be told we were leaving. All of us left.”

“How many of you are left?” His excitement was obvious from the gleam in his eye and the way he grinned.

“There’s five of us now.” I sat back on the couch, the tea cradled on my chest. “I’m on the home stretch at least.”

“I knew any man worth being called a man would see you for the gem you are!” He all but clapped in his excitement. “Tell me about it, come on, spill. Tell Tony all the gory details.”

I remembered Carol’s threat of being sued, but decided to tell Tony anyway. Fuck her! I filled Tony in on everything, from the very beginning to the very last moment when Jake held up that sign.

Tony leaned against the couch, his gorgeous eyes filled with tears. “That is so romantic! You are so lucky, Laney!”

“I think I might be.” I was the doing the sighing then, and let my head fall against the couch. “I think I could sleep for a week.”

A knock came at the back door and we both jumped.

“Tony? I know you’re in there! Was that Laney I saw come in earlier? Buddy, you’d better let me in!”

I chuckled as I stood up to go and let the elderly woman in. She looked spitting mad as she stormed into the house and turned to me.

“Did they send you home because you’ve been eliminated? That’s all I want to know. I guess they’ve got you under some kind of secrecy mumbo-jumbo, but I have to know if you’re still in the running or not.”

“Hello to you too, Mrs. Mallory.” I leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek, which she graciously accepted with a titter and a smile. “And no, I’ve not been eliminated. They decided to send us home until Christmas Eve when the final choices will be made.”

“I see. Good. That’s good then, honey. I knew you could do it. You’re a catch if I’ve ever seen one.” Mrs. Mallory patted my cheek for a moment and looked up at me with a happy face. “I’ll be off then, I know you’ve only just got home so you’ll be tired.”

“Why don’t you stay and have a glass of tea? I’ve missed you.” The older woman could be a curmudgeon, but she was always kind to me and I adored her, really.

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll come by later and bring you some real food. You haven’t been eating properly from the looks of you.” She eyed my waistline with a grimace and shook her head in confirmation. “Yes, you’ll be eating meatloaf and homemade rolls before the nights over with, my lovely. I shall return around six.”

I couldn’t refuse. She would pretend not to hear me if I did, so I gave a noise of understanding and watched her go.

“Tony, you’d best go down to the store and get some gin and tonic. I think our young lady here could use one.” Mrs. Mallory made her parting shot just as the screen door closed behind her.

“You know she’ll have your ears if you don’t,” I said to him with a smile.

“I know. I’m so glad it’s Monday and I’m off today. I’d have missed all of this otherwise.” He went to grab his keys and came back in. “Do you need anything?”

“Ice cream, chocolate cake, and lots of ice if we’re having gin and tonics.” I gave him a grin. Mrs. Mallory’s mixology was legendary at our house. She could make one delicious drink.

“Will do. I’ll be back shortly then.” He left me in the house and I went back to the couch, it was nice to be in a quiet house without the chatter of voices and the stress of the competition.

The house seemed to settle after that. Cracks and pops sounded like the house knew an occupant had left and it was letting the belt out on its pants. I laughed at the thought and settled deeper into the couch. A nap might be what I needed after the pace of the day so far.

I wouldn’t sleep long, just until Tony came home, I promised myself. Just long enough to ease the ache of fatigue and to not have to be alone with my thoughts. Alone with the realization that I wouldn’t see Jake again for a long time.