Chapter 14
After our dance class, cameras are waiting on the restaurant patio overlooking the water. Kendra and Patrick are already at the table, touching and clearly enamored with each other. Kit takes a seat, and I take the chair next to him as directed by the producers. Our distance stands out in stark contrast to the display in front of us.
All of us have loosened up from physical activity. It’s most noticeable on Kit, who’s rolled his sleeves up to his elbows and let his hair run wild. I catch myself smiling at him when he isn’t looking. Quickly, I look at the table instead, shaking my head. It must be the magical atmosphere the show created here on the beach.
Leslie and Jamie join us, the strain between them palpable. Despite the awkwardness, we get by on small talk about the weather and how beautiful the view is until cocktails grace our table.
“I heard a rumor that you two already knew each other,” Kendra says as she sips on her fruity drink.
I suppose I should have seen that coming. Unwilling to answer, I sip on my cocktail too.
Kit clearly has no such qualms. He leans forward, resting his forearms on the tabletop. “That’s true. We dated in college.”
“No way.” Jamie leans forward in his seat, eyes wide with delight. “Was it serious?”
“Jamie”—Leslie shakes his head—“you can’t just ask people questions like that.”
Jamie appears chastened, slouching in his seat.
“It’s okay,” Kit says, waving it off. “We dated for a couple of months.”
“Four.” I reach for a chip from the communal bowl. “It was four months.”
Kit nods, a sparkle in his eyes. “That’s right.”
“Did you love each other then?” Kendra asks as she snuggles into Patrick, a wistful smile on her face.
Kit looks at me while I chew slowly, hoping everyone will forget this topic of conversation. I did love him. I told him I did. And he couldn’t say it back. It shouldn’t still hurt this much, but it does.
I swallow my food. “It didn’t work out. It’s not often that two twenty-one-year-olds make it, you know?”
Patrick nods. “But you found each other. Professional matchmakers think you’re going to make it now. That has to count for something.”
“Maybe.” I shrug, refusing to look at Kit. Instead, I turn to Kendra. “You look exhausted. Having fun?”
Kendra and Patrick smile at each other. “We are. We went horseback riding on the beach yesterday.”
“That sounds amazing.” My smile is genuine this time. Just because this experiment is a joke for Kit and me doesn’t mean everyone else can’t get what they want. “We should have done that instead.”
“You’d still have to wear a helmet.” Kit scoops some guacamole onto a chip.
I stick my tongue out at him, and he nearly chokes on his food trying not to laugh. He swallows, brushing the crumbs off his hands. “We went zip lining.”
“Now that sounds like fun.” Jamie lights up once more. “Was it scary?”
“Terrifying.” I give an exaggerated shiver in the balmy air. “Why do people think jumping off high things is fun?”
“I don’t like any sport where both of my feet aren’t firmly on the ground.” Leslie raises his glass in a mock toast.
Jamie stirs his drink with the little paper umbrella that came with it. “We all need to get out of our comfort zones now and again.”
Leslie purses his lips and sets his glass down with a frown.
“I agree,” I say, trying to deflect whatever tension is between them. “However, there’s ways to do it that don’t involve flinging yourself out of a tree.”
“But she did it.” Kit beams. “She’s never been one to back down from a challenge.” He sprawls his arm across the back of my chair, and I’m not sure what to do.
The move is possessive, and it sounds like he actually meant what he said. Our eyes meet, and for a split second, it feels like we’re twenty-one again. I open my mouth to say something—I’m not sure what—when everyone’s attention turns to the deck.
I clear my throat, tearing my gaze away from Kit.
“Hello, couples!” Petra waves with both hands as she approaches. Her perfectly made up face and slightly too formal sundress make her seem like she’s on a stage instead of at a casual resort restaurant. “I hope you’ve all been enjoying your time in Costa Rica.”
We all raise our glasses. Kendra and Jamie cheer enthusiastically, shimmying in their seats. I giggle at their display; it’s impossible not to smile around people who are so infectiously joyful. Patrick laughs. Kit snorts. Leslie attempts a smile, though it looks more like a grimace.
“Most of you met for the first time at the altar as strangers.” She looks around the table, making eye contact with each one of us. It’s all I can do to not squirm in my seat as if I’ve been caught texting during class. It feels like there’s an important subtext that only I’m missing. “All of you have spent this time getting to know each other. But you can’t stay in paradise forever.
“Tomorrow, you’ll go back to your real lives, only this time, you’ll be with your new spouses.” Petra smiles her pageant smile. “We’ve set up apartments for you in the same complex so you can begin your new lives on neutral ground. In addition, Dr. Shaw and Dr. Leon will be meeting with you when you return so you can discuss anything that came up during your honeymoon.”
My smile becomes forced as I clench my teeth together. The last thing I want to do is sit down for a couples therapy session with Kit. It doesn’t matter if we fix any problems we may have; we’re going to go our separate ways in a few weeks anyway.
“This honeymoon is just the beginning.” Petra looks at all of us once more. “You had your first look at forever at the altar one week ago. Now you have seven more weeks to decide to stay together or walk away from what could be the love of your life.”
FIRST LOOK AT FOREVER
SEASON THREE
EPISODE FIVE
PETRA ASHLING:
Our couples got to know each other on their honeymoon, but now it’s back to real life.
DR. LAUREN SHAW:
It’s easy to fall in love when you’re in paradise, but living together day-to-day can present challenges for even the most stable couples.
DR. KENNETH LEON:
Living together also provides a new level of intimacy. Our couples will learn up close about their partner’s likes and dislikes and learn to negotiate the problems that pop up during a normal day.
DR. LAUREN SHAW:
These are the building blocks for our couples to create happy, fulfilling lives together.