The islanders settled on the daybeds. As they chatted Rian was quietly wondering if she should have a girl to girl chat with Iona. She seemed the type to speak her mind and she had glanced Camilo’s way more than once. “Hey Iona, you want to have a bit of a chat?”

Iona smiled. “Yea, I’d like that. Terrace? I’ve been dying to see it.”

“Sure.” Rian smiled at her as they hooked arms and made their way to the roof and settled in on a bench.

Iona turned her. “Thanks for this. I worried about coming in late because everyone else has had the chance to couple up and meet each other first.”

“It’s only been a few hours. Everyone seems pretty chill. I don’t think you have anything to worry about.” Rian comforted her.

“You’re so right.” She seemed to breathe easier. “I work on pylons and they’re proper high and it can get windy. But coming in here was far scarier. Mate, it terrified me.”

“Yeah, I can imagine. I think it’ll be fun, you’ll see,” Rian patted her arm comfortingly

Iona seemed to hesitate.“I’m actually glad that you wanted to talk to me because I wanted to talk with you about who I’m keen on.”

“Camilo,” Rian replied before giving her a chance to answer.

“Wait… how did you know?” Iona asked suspiciously.

Rian shrugged, “simple really, you’ve been glancing at him more than any of the others. People think their being discreet, but they don’t realize that a trained eye can spot it.”

She smiled, “I knew there was a reason I liked you. You are fiendishly smart who knows the trouble we could cause. That said though, are you upset about it?”

Rian knew that although she genuinely liked Camilo there was no room for feelings in what she was about to do so she smiled at Iona. “I like Camilo but it’s only been a few hours.”

“Yea, if I had to choose right now I’d choose him, but I don’t know if he feels the same way,” Iona admitted. “But I wanted to be upfront about it. ”

Rian nodded. “I appreciate that.”

“Yea, we should probably get back to the others,” Iona stood up and Rian followed her.

By the way, things were going, she would be single soon. Iona would get the first pick of course and it would happen. The producers move things quickly here but were predictable enough. Rian knew she needed to be prepared.

After a few hours of lounging around the daybeds and the pool, someone’s phone pinged. Iona jumped up, “It’s me. Iona, it’s time for you to decide who to couple up with. All Islanders, please gather at the fire pit for the recoupling. #chooseyourmatch #dontlookback”

Iona looked over at Rian and smiled at her sympathetically. Camilo grabbed Rian’s hand as they walk back to the villa. “I’ll see you in a few minutes, Beautiful.” Rian smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek before walking into the dressing room.
The girls chatted as they got ready, curious who Iona might choose, but Rian knew it was really her time to shine. After all, she was the one going to be single soon, so she needed to dress to impress. Walking to her closet cubby, she pulled out a flirty two-piece matching skirt and crop top. It had a Spanish feel to it with the rose design on it.

As she stepped away from the cubby. Elladine’s eyes went wide. “Damn! Rian, you’re a heart stealer in that!”

“That’s the idea,” Rian teased.

Viv turned to her. “Are you worried about tonight babe?”

“Actually, I know she’s going to pick Camilo.” Rian stated.

“Wait, how do you know?” AJ asked.

“She told me.” Rian’s face was emotionless. “

“At least she was honest, I guess?” Elladine offered.

Rian shrugged.

Miki gave Rian a quick hug. “It will be alright. I guess we should get going.”

Iona stood in front of the Islanders as they sat in their couples. Camilo reached for Rian’s hand and she wrapped her fingers around his. “Your hands are so soft.” Rian looked up at him and smiled. “Yea like warm bread or something. “ She gave him a quizzical look. “I’m sorry my head is all over the place ignore me.” Rian chuckled inwardly and gave his hand a squeeze.

Iona cleared her throat. “I didn’t how to feel on the way here. I was excited obviously, but I knew I’d take a guy away from another girl. I thought I’d be OK with that as you’ve only been together since this morning. But looking at you now, you already seem like such cute couples. At first glance, this boy seems like my type on paper. He’s smart, funny, and just dreamy. And although I don’t want to break a promising couple up so early on… I’m here to make a choice, so I choose Camilo.”

The others breath sigh of relief and then the sympathy comes. Elladine is first. “Oh, no! Poor Rian.”

“Wow, that’s brutal.” Seb looked over at Rian worriedly.

“Yea,” Nicky rubbed the back of his neck. “That’s rough.”

“I can’t believe this. It blew me away when you picked me. It’s like I won the jackpot. And now we’re not a couple in less than a day.” Rian squeezed his hand, giving him a faint smile. “But you don’t seem that upset?” Camilo stated, looking at Rian curiously.

Rian sighed, “It’s because she told me. I knew she was going to pick you.”

Camilo pressed a kiss to Rian’s forehead. “You are a class act.” He stepped over to Iona, who was waiting.

Before anyone could say anything else Rian’s phone vibrated. “If she gets kicked off, I’m going to be so mad!” AJ said pouting.

“Rian, Iona has taken your partner, leaving you single… so get ready to mingle. #getthatgrafton #thesinglelife”

“What does that mean?” AJ asked.

“It means she’s safe!” Iona grinned.

“Phew! Not gonna lie, but that would have been proper cruel.” Elladine said as the tension dropped from her shoulders.

“Oh single and ready to mingle, eh?” Miki teased.

“I don’t know about you guys but my butt has gone numb,” Nicky said standing up. The islanders leave the fire-pit and Rian alone with her thoughts.

“Hey, Rian?” Rian turned to see Iona had was walking toward her. “I’d like to clear the air. I just wanted to say that although we barely know each other but I appreciate the grace you’ve shown. At the end of the day, I had to pick someone. But that puts you in a powerful position you can graft on anyone you want. Even if it’s Camilo. I have no right to complain. Early days and all that… Friends?”

“Hey, it’s fine. It was a tough call.” Rian gave her a smile.

“Thanks, babe,” Iona’s shoulder dropped in relief, “I was so worried. You are so understanding.” She held her arm out to Rian. “Come on, let’s find the others.”

They walked over to the kitchen where everyone was enjoying a few drinks. Nicky was behind the counter acting as a bartender. “What can I get you, Rian?”

She could feel everyone’s eyes on her wondering if she and Iona were alright. “Two tequila’s neat.”

“Wow, you really don’t play around do you?” Iona giggled.

“One’s for you, silly,” Rian explained. “But I can drink both if you don’t like tequila.”

“Oh no, you offered,” Iona said.

Nicky set down the shot glasses. This was perfect. The attention of the Islanders was exactly where it needed to be on Rian. She picked up one of the shot glasses as Iona took the other. Rian smiled, “A toast to me and Iona.” They gently clinked the shot glasses and Rian drank.

Iona hesitated a moment, but then quickly downed the shot. She grimaced, “it wasn’t as bad as I thought, but ugh, not my drink.”

“Nicky, may I have another, please?” Rian asked.

“Sure thing,” Nicky said before pouring another and sliding it over to her.

Rian sat on a stool as she drank. The couples slowly filtered out of the kitchen, heading into the villa. AJ had gone for a midnight swim, so Rian and Seb remained. Seb looked toward the pool as AJ ran around it and did another cannonball. “I bet that girl’s never been tired in her life…”

“I get tired just watching her,” Rian admitted.

“I’m useless without at least two coffees in the morning,” Seb said watching AJ. He glanced over at Rian, “So, how are you doing? Tonight must have been rough.” He slid another shot towards her.

Rian smiled at him. She didn’t get romantic vibes off Seb. He was being friendly. “Pretty good, all things considered. After all, it’s only the first day.”

“Exactly! Your thinking smart there.” Seb smiled, “but I bet you’re smarter than any of us if the challenge was anything to go by. I’m sure you’ll find the guy you want.”

“How can you be so sure I don’t just want the cash?” She teased.

Seb laughed. “Point taken. Then I guess they’d better watch out.”

“You can graft on whoever you want now, and no one can say much about it.” Seb said excitedly, “ You can get to know everyone before the next recoupling. I’d say that’s better than pairing with stranger straight away.”

“Valid point,” Rian said smiling. That was already her plan.

“I bet you already thought of that.” Seb blurted before he changed the subject. “Your family’s probably at home watching this all unfold, right?”

Rian shook her head. “My parents are dead. It’s just me and my younger brother. Theo and I are super close and I’ll probably embarrass him. But he should expect it by now.”

“Oh I see, at least you have each other,” Seb said thoughtfully, looking at Rian.

Something dark and vulnerable ran across her features for a microsecond. “What about you Seb? Afraid of embarrassing your parents?” Rian teased.

“Not exactly, I’m not sure they even realize I’m on the show.” He replied.

“What do you mean? You didn’t tell them?” Rian asked.

“No, but when I told them I don’t think they were listening. Or even if they were, they probably didn’t get what I was talking about and they aren’t TV watchers.” He explained. “We aren’t close and it seems we all prefer it that way.”

“I could always use another brother,” Rian offered.

“I’ve always wondered what that would be like. As an only child, I had no siblings.” Seb grinned. “I like that idea. I can’t wait for you to meet Doom.”

“Your cat is named Doom?” She asked. Seb nodded.“Is that the one you rescued from the tree?”

“Yea how’d you know? He asked curiously.

“You seem the type.” Rian giggled. “That’s adorable. You have someone watching her while you are gone don’t you?”

“Oh, don’t worry, I have one of my employees taking care of her.” Seb said, “I am a little worried though.” He lowered his voice and looked around excitedly. “She’s actually expecting kittens soon.”

“Really?”

“Yea, so I’m a bit excited,” Seb said with an almost childlike grin lighting up his face. “I can’t wait to see them.”

AJ stepped into the kitchen. “I think I’m ready to call it a night.”