Love or Lust (LOL): Part 3

How can they be so certain he still feels the same way?

I mean... I know he does. The flowers were a good indication, but in my heart, I just know. I feel the same way.

There’s no reason Milo and Lennon should know, though.

Unless...

“Have you talked to him?” I lean close and whisper, hoping the cameras won’t pick up the sound of my voice.

“No,” he replies quickly. “That’s not allowed.”

“Uh-huh. Why am I getting the impression you’re lying to me?”

Milo shakes his head as he looks past me, his eyes focused on the camera I know is above the archway to the kitchen.

“Well, for someone who thinks he knows everything, you don’t know much. I mean, the last time Jace and I talked, it was about me visiting him in Miami. He said he may know of a place that’s looking to hire. I was thinking of taking him up on it, and maybe I will. I guess when this is all over, I’ll give him a call and see if the offer still stands.”

“It will.”

“We’ll see,” I remark, sipping my wine and avoiding eye contact.

Milo and I nibble on the snacks, sip our drinks, and reminisce about the last few weeks. The ups and downs of the competition. The dates we’ve had. The three-legged race. Throwing ourselves on the balloons to pop them as a sacrifice.

We’ve had a lot of fun together. It makes me realize how much I’m going to miss seeing Milo every day.

Seeing everyone.

Sure, I’m excited to get back to my life. To see Naomi. To start fresh.

But for as much of a pain in the ass this competition has been, it has been fun. I will miss everyone. I’ll miss having someone to hang out with every day. Our impromptu pool parties. Jace mixing drinks behind the bar for everyone.

It makes me wish we all lived closer. So we could get together on weekends. Recreate the good times we’ve had.

Being here, with eleven strangers, is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life. I’ve learned a lot about myself. About who I am, what I want, and where I’m going. I’ve also learned what friendship should look like. What love should feel like. What’s important in life.

For that, I’ll always be grateful.