Episode 165
EPISODE 165
FIRST MATCH
Ariel
Do you truly love Alex? Or are you more in love with the idea of marrying a billionaire?
Emily’s words hang in the room between us.
“Are you going to answer the question, love?” she asks me.
I nod. “I want to. I just wonder... Am I too young to be thinking about forever?”
“That’s a question only you can answer,” she says. “You’ve had your fun during the short time we’ve been here. With Brett, with Sebastian, with the two staff members. Even a bit with June.”
I wince.
“Not into ladies, I take it?”
“Not really,” I admit. “But that’s not what bothers me. It’s just June. She bothers me. She thought Evangeline was going to get rid of her, and I wanted to help her. I didn’t think the threesome would bother me as much as it did.”
Emily chuckles. “Ariel, there are women who love sex for sex and take it any way they can get it, and then there are women who desire a deeper connection. Perhaps you thought you were the first, but you’re actually the second.”
“I think you’re right. Alex did me a favor the night of our date when he wouldn’t take me to bed. I wasn’t ready. I probably wasn’t ready with Sebastian either, but I did it anyway.”
“Sebastian doesn’t have Alex’s scruples,” Emily says dryly. “Though he is gorgeous. I would have let him do just about anything to me that first night. Looking back, I’m glad we were interrupted.”
“He’s wonderful in bed,” I admit. “Not that I have a lot to compare him to. But Alex... Today was different. He told me he was falling for me before we fucked. And the fuck was... It wasn’t what I expected from Alex. It wasn’t gentle at all. But it was amazing. It was something he needed, and I was happy to give it to him.”
Emily nods and seems to be looking right through me, as if she’s thinking about something.
“Em?”
“Yes?”
“You said something interesting. You said you know the answer to your own question. Are you in love with the idea of marrying a billionaire?”
“No,” she says quickly. “I’m not, and I can say that’s the God’s honest truth.”
Another knock on the door.
“What is it now?” Emily demands, throwing open the door.
Evangeline stands there again, this time a look of triumph on her pale face.
“Feeling better?” Emily asks.
“God, no. I just threw up my breakfast. But I have astounding news for you, Ariel. ”
I lift my eyebrows.
“I just had a talk with Alex, and he’s chosen you! Congratulations!”
Elation fills me. I feel like a firefly caught up in a summer breeze, glowing brighter than I ever have, just floating on pure joy.
He does love me.
He’s not waiting for Sienna or anyone else.
“He told you?” I ask.
“Yes, of course he did. He said you return his feelings. Is that not the case?”
I hug myself like I used to when I was a little girl. I’d spin around in the backyard, feeling the sun on my face, wrapping my arms around myself tight so I could hold onto all the warmth and joy from the world around me.
This truly happened for me?
Yes, it did!
“I do return his feelings,” I say, smiling. “I love him with all my heart, Evangeline.”
“This is wonderful,” Evangeline says. “You were my diamond in the rough, and the first chosen! We’ll make the announcement tonight, before the dates. Well, date. I’m sorry, Emily, but this means your date with Alex has been canceled. Would you care to have a date with Sebastian? River is gone until tomorrow, so he’s out, but Sebastian is free.”
“Sure, why not?” Emily says. “If he’s willing.”
“He is. In fact, it was his idea.”
Emily lifts her eyebrows. “It was?”
“Yes. He said he was looking forward to it. Said you and he hit it off the first night, but the two of you were interrupted. ”
“Well, that’s a surprise,” Emily says. “I mean, yes, we did have an...interesting conversation the first night.”
Evangeline gives a small laugh. “I’ll let him know you’ve accepted his offer.”
The door closes behind Evangeline, and Emily turns to look at me.
“Congratulations are in order!” She wraps me up in a warm hug. “You’ve snagged the billionaire! The youngest of all of us and the first to get chosen.”
“I’ve done more than that,” I say softly, pulling back from Emily and meeting her gaze. “I’ve fallen in love with him. It’s the truth. I do love him. I think he was the one for me the whole time.”
Emily grins, but the smile doesn’t quite meet her eyes. “That’s the best part, isn’t it? Falling in love. I’m glad you found that with Alex.”
A sense of peace sweeps over me as Emily pulls away. Since we got to the island, I’ve looked to her as a guiding figure, her wisdom and calm demeanor always soothing my insecurities and doubts. It feels good to have her validation.
But as I look at her again, I see something off.
“Is everything okay with you?” I ask.
“Everything’s just fine.” She gives me a playful smack on my ass. “You enjoy this. Revel in it. You’ve snagged one of the billionaires, and he loves you. You love him. Your life is made now, Ariel. No more working if you don’t want to. You can take care of that mama of yours. You can go to school. You can travel the world. Hell, you can go to the bloody moon with that kind of money.”
I’m jumping up and down inside. It’s almost as good as an orgasm.
But Emily.. .
“What is it?” I ask her. “What’s wrong? Are you not happy for me?”
“Oh, I am, love. Truly.”
“Then why?—”
“Enough,” she says, forcing another smile. “Off with you. Go find Alex. Plan your announcement. Don’t you worry your little head about me. I’m fine. I’m just—” She buries her head in her hands.
I go to her, place my arm around her shoulder. “Emily...”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that... I’ve fallen in love too, Ariel. With River. He’s helping me with some stuff, but he didn’t say it back. He didn’t say it back, and now he’s gone to Miami and I don’t know why.”
“He said he’d be back.”
“Yes, I know.” She sniffles. “Now don’t you let me bring you down for one moment. Do you hear me? You go find Alex, and the two of you celebrate. Have some champagne. Fuck like bunnies. Please don’t worry about me.” She shoos me out the door.
And as much as I want to feel badly for Emily, I can’t wipe the shit-eating smile off my face.