Imagining the men they’ve chosen for me and knowing that I’ll be seeing them in just a few minutes must be making me sweat because a woman rushes over and dabs at my face with a powder puff before quickly disappearing off to the side of the set.
The skin on the back of my neck prickles; I can feel some of them looking at me. The men, no doubt, have already seen pictures of me – the network has been promoting the new season for weeks, and unlike other shows that are filmed months in advance, For Keeps airs the commitment ceremonies live.
Today’s premiere isn’t live, though, and all of my dates will be filmed and edited before airing, but after today, the ceremonies where I send men home and choose to keep others will be broadcast live.
Though the men may know what I look like, I have no idea yet about any of them. The producers asked me what I was looking for in a man, but even if I’d told them that I only like tall guys with black hair, I know there’ll be a wide variety of men for me to date, just like there are every season.
Off to the side, one of the producers gives a nod to Blake, who then looks down at me. “Olivia, are you ready to meet your men?” It’s funny how Blake talks to me so warmly when we’ve only just met, and he hasn’t even acknowledged me when the cameras aren’t filming. He always seemed like such a nice man when I watched him over the years. I’m starting to suspect it’s just an act.
“Yes, Blake,” I tell him.
“Okay. Let’s see who’s here for you.” He turns me around to face the thirty men who are waiting. “One of these men will be yours, for keeps, and now you have the exciting job of finding out which man that will be.”
2
Bad boy vibes
My eyes don’t know where to go first. Thirty men stand before me, distanced from one another and offset in neat rows on the lawn. I can really only see the first two rows, maybe only about twenty of the thirty men. What I can see is an absolute feast for the eyes – a smorgasbord of testosterone in a gorgeous variety of shapes, sizes, colors and styles.
Though I’m dressed in white to match the wedding theme, my suitors are in attire that represents some aspect of their life or their profession. There are men in business suits, others in jeans and t-shirts, and even a guy in overalls. There are ones who look like they could change the oil in my car and others who might do my taxes. Quite a few of them look like they could make me scream with pleasure.
It’s no surprise that the bad boy types catch my eye first. Men in leather, denim, all black. Tattoos and hair carefully styled to look messy, like they just rolled out of bed. One has the hint of a snarl on his full lips. Yummy.
Despite my attraction to the rougher-looking types, I redirect my attention to the clean-cut men. I have a thing for bad boys – always have – but I told myself that being selected to be on this show would be a wasted opportunity if I focus on my usual type.
Presumably, the majority of the men standing here are looking for love, but I know the show always brings on some guys who have other motives. I want to find a partner, and I owe it to myself to look for a man who is serious and ready for commitment, not someone who’s going to break my heart.
Back home on Four Points Island, the little town where I’ve always lived, I’ve dated most all of the bad boy types in the area. For the most part, I don’t get hurt because I don’t expect much from them. We have fun and then we both move on.
But I’m ready for more. I want to go on dates that involve more than dive bars and steamy hookups. I want to find someone who’ll be there for me when I need him. Someone who wants to settle down and eventually have a family. Someone who’s ready to be in love.
“Olivia,” Blake says, his voice bubbling with artificial excitement, “it’s time to meet your men.” With a wide sweep of his arm, he gestures to the figures on the lawn. In my head, I can hear the show’s trademark music that will be added in at editing.
I’ve debated about how to handle this moment, which is one of the few unstructured parts of the show. In previous seasons, some women have made a beeline straight for the guy who appeals to them most, and on more than one occasion, that’s been the man they ended up with at the show’s finale.