Page 24

“Okay, we’ve got some shots of the group around the fire pit,” Angus said. “I think it would be a good idea if you take each contestant for a walk around the garden for an intimate chat, Cole.”

“Sounds great,” I replied. I cleared my throat and turned to Madi. “Hey, Madi, do you want to go for a walk together?”

She frowned and glanced around at the others.

“Sure?” she replied. It sounded more like an uncertain question than an answer, but it was enough for me.

One of the camera guys walked ahead of us, taking slow steps backward with his lens pointed directly at our faces. This was hardly intimate, but I felt like I could breathe again after the marshmallow incident with Laurie.

The two of us were silent as we walked deeper into the back garden.

“Why don’t you both talk about the donut eating competition,” Angus prompted us.

I cringed. Were we really so hopeless together we needed Angus to script our conversations? I sighed and glanced at Madi. She looked just as unenthusiastic as I was at Angus’ suggestion, but she shrugged and nodded for me to go ahead.

“You were great at the donut eating contest earlier,” I said. Man, that was bad. I could almost hear Angus sigh with frustration.

Madi smiled in response though. “Baked goods are my biggest weakness.”

She looked so cute and genuine as she said it. Why couldn’t I be more like that in front of the camera?

“They’re mine too,” I replied. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you laugh so hard.”

Madi smiled. “Because it was impossible. Have you actually ever tried to eat a donut without licking your lips?”

I shook my head. “Can’t say that I have. Maybe we could have a rematch sometime.”

“Maybe,” she grinned.

Madi paused when we reached the edge of the pool and turned to me. The area was lit up with fairy lights that sparkled as they reflected on the dark water. It gave the illusion of romance, but I already knew that Madi didn’t have those feelings for me.

“Why did you pick me to go for a walk?” Madi asked. The question surprised me, and I glanced at Angus. He was nodding happily, urging me to answer. I turned back to Madi. Her gaze was challenging, and I could tell she was suspicious that I’d singled her out.

The corner of my lips lifted as I smiled at her. “Maybe I want to get to know you better.”

She huffed out a breath and shook her head. “You already know me.”

“I never said I didn’t, Matthews,” I replied. “I said I wanted to get to know you better.”

For some reason this earned me a scowl. “Stop trying to smolder at me, Kingston. Your seductive eyes don’t work on me.”

I laughed. I hadn’t even been trying to make eyes at her. “So, you think my eyes are seductive, do you?” I took a step closer to her and she mimicked the movement, taking a step backward.

She lifted a finger and pointed it at me. “Don’t put words in my mouth.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I captured her finger in my hand and her eyes snapped down to where we were touching. I couldn’t be the only one feeling the sparks between us, surely.

After a few seconds, she yanked her finger out of my grasp and I grinned.

“You’re pretty cute when you’re irritated,” I said.

“Well, you always irritate me so you must think I’m pretty cute all the time,” she said, with a roll of her eyes.

I couldn’t help but smile at her. I loved it when she rolled her eyes at me. I reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Pretty much.”

Her eyes widened at my comment, and I could see how uncomfortable those two little words had made her. I suddenly regretted admitting them to her. But it was already too late, and she was freaking out.

She pushed my hand away and tried to take another step back to put some distance between us. The only problem was, she was already standing at the edge of the pool. Her boot caught and she started to fall backward. I reached out to grab her, but I wasn’t fast enough. The next moment there was a loud splash as Madi landed in the water.