“Thank you. You look pretty good yourself.” He has a pair of red sunglasses pushed up onto his head. The heat of the day has created a fine sheen of sweat that highlights the muscles on his lean, toned body. “What kind of drink did you make?”
He holds the glass out to me. “These strawberries on top represent us.” Two berries have been artfully carved into hearts. “The drink is watermelon and strawberry muddled with vodka, lime, and mint.”
The berries he used for garnish are too pretty to eat, so I immediately take a sip. “Mmm, it’s wonderful.” I’ve been taking it easy on my portions, but this one is too good to stop at one taste. “Really, really good. Thank you, Marcus.”
Before returning to his station, he leans in for a quick kiss and I can taste mint on his lips as well.
After all of the rest of the men have presented their drinks, it’s Johnny’s turn. The producers have saved him for last, which was probably a mistake. His approach looks unsteady as he makes his way across the lawn. In his hand, he holds a short, simple glass that contains amber liquid over ice.
“For you, beautiful.” His words are slurred and the drink sloshes over the edge as he sets it on my table.
“Thank you. What is this?” I raise the glass and sniff. My nose twitches from the strong smell of pure alcohol.
“It’s top shelf, baby. I tried them all and poured only the best for you.”
“Top shelf what?” Maybe I should be able to identify it by the smell or color, but I’m not a big drinker, and I always order something sweet if I’m having a mixed drink. Nothing about the drink seems to suit the contest, unless the liquor was manufactured in a tropical region.
“Top shelf whiskey, beautiful. Try it.” The smell coming from his breath is stronger than the little drink he’s poured for me.
I can’t imagine that I’ll be awarding Johnny with a win, but to be fair, I take a small sip. The flavor isn’t bad, but it’s so strong – I can’t help but make a face. Johnny doesn’t notice.
When I hand the glass back to him, he downs the rest of it. “Hope you liked it, babe.”
When Johnny returns to his station, Blake steps in front of my table and faces a camera. “Well, that was … interesting.” He sounds like he’s sharing a friendly laugh with viewers at home, and I’m struck yet again at how he can turn on the charm when he’s being paid to do so. Turning to me, he says, “Olivia, you’ve now sampled each of the men’s drinks. Which ones stand out?”
“Well, Blake, they were actually all really good – well, most of them were – and it’s going to be hard to pick favorites.”
“It seems like you really did have a lot of great options. Let me ask you this: Which one would you order again, if you were placing a drink order right now?”
I think for a moment, but it doesn’t take long to decide which one stood out the most. “I’d have to order the drink that Marcus made. It was delicious and refreshing, and I hadn’t had a drink quite like it before. The hearts on top were a sweet touch too.”
“There you have it, gentlemen,” Blake says. “We have a winner. Congratulations, Marcus. You’ve earned some one-on-one time with Olivia while we get ready for the next competition.”
Most of the other men join me in applauding the dentist. Johnny doesn’t clap, and it’s a good thing because he might fall over if he did. Marcus and I are escorted by a crewmember to a cozy outdoor loveseat on the other side of the mansion’s grounds.
“I’m so excited you picked my drink,” Marcus says once we’re settled in. Two cameras are on us. It’s getting easier to ignore them, but I’m not sure it will ever be effortless.
“Of course. I’m glad you made such a delicious cocktail.”
We smile at each other for a long moment before he says, “Can I kiss you again? That little peck earlier wasn’t nearly enough.”
I nod, and he leans in immediately and follows through. He still tastes minty and I wonder if it’s a dentist thing.
When we part, he sits back and takes my hand. “Every time I see you, I want to run right over and be with you. I forget that there are other guys here. I want it to be just you and me.”
I smile at him but don’t say anything. I’ll love it when I narrow the men down to the one I hope to marry, but for now, I’m enjoying getting to know them all.
He kisses me again, and I respond, but after a minute, I pull away. “I’d like to use this time to get to know you better,” I say.