It surprised Rian to have a third date… with Ciaran. She concluded that he was a likable lad. His love of his dog added to his appeal, but he just wasn’t her type. She made sure to leave the door open, so to speak, as she was keeping her options open. The date ended when she received a text about the girls having a sleepover.  She was in the dressing room, getting ready when Seb walked in. “Hey, cute pajamas.”

“How did your date go?” Rian asked.

Seb tried not to smile but failed. “It went well. I think… at least on my end you?”

“I had fun, but I’m knackered,” Rian admitted, yawning. “At least there was food there and not just bubbly.”

“You get up to anything?” Seb teased.

Rian opened her eyes, looking innocent. “Maybe…”

He laughed. “Fine, keep your secrets… I’ll just imagine that it was filthy.”

Rian giggled. Elladine poked her head in the dressing room. “Come on, Rian. We’re making hot chocolate.” A night with the girls would be nice. Bill wouldn’t mind that so much. He wanted more from her, and Rian knew that would be impossible. She needed to keep an open mind and pick a partner who would help her win this thing. She sighed. Theo was more important than anyone here. Keeping that in mind, was the most critical thing.

The sleepover in the hideaway was fun. Rian hadn’t had a sleepover since… well, forever. They had the mandatory pillow fight and played snog, marry, pie. She was sandwiched between AJ and Yasmin, which was… delightful, to say the least. Well, except for Yasmin’s knee in her back. After that, she snuggled up with Iona and Viv. Rian sat on the daybeds, idly watching the others as she wondered when the next recoupling would be.

“Hey,” A voice said from beside her. It was from Bill. “You’ve been lost in thought for a while. Anything you want to share?”

Rian smiled and shrugged. “I’m good, but it looks like you have something on your mind.”

“I know there is probably going to be recoupling soon with the new islanders, and I wondered if you were happy with me.” He asked.

“We might not have any power over what happens next,” Rian said.

“That’s true.” Bill sighed. “It’s just I like you and honestly am not really interested in any of the others. I want to get to know you better. Is there a chance for that?”

Rian took his hand. It was on the line now. She needed to make sure that he realized that she was keeping her options open but, at the same time, took him seriously. “I like you, but I think we need to keep an open mind. Things happen artificially fast because of the Villa bubble feelings get magnified.”

Bill nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right.”  He smiled. “As long as neither of us goes home, we can still get to know each other and the other Islanders. I’m okay with that. That said, I hope I get the chance to pick you at the next recoupling, anyway.”  
 
Rian pressed a kiss to Bill’s lips. “You’re the sweetest.” 

“Thanks,” He lifted his water bottle and realized it was empty. “I’m going to go fill this. Good chat, Rian.”

Rian’s phone buzzed. “Rian, please make your way to the bedroom. Say nothing to the other Islanders. #mumstheword #secretservice.”

Rian smiled as she stood up… wondering what was going on. When she got to the bedroom, the others were already there. “Let me guess, you all got a text?”

Iona grinned. “Yea, I wonder what this is all about.”

“I think it’s gonna be a challenge about spies,” Miki said.

“Oh, sweet! I’d make a cool spy!” AJ added.

Rian’s phone buzzed. She quickly scanned the text and smiled. “Agents, here is your mission.”

Iona laughed, “That’s the spirit.”

“Today, you will take part in a top-secret challenge. Between you, you must complete seven tasks all without the boys realizing that you’re up to something.” Rian finished.

“This ought to be a right laugh,” AJ said with a giggle.

“I knew it! We are like secret agents!” Elladine smirked.

“I wonder what the challenges will be,” Yasmin mused.

“It better not be weird foot stuff,” Iona said, wrinkling her nose.

“There’s more,”  Rian said as her phone buzzed again. “One of us must convince all the boys to jump in the pool at the same time. Who wants it?”

AJ raises her hand. “Easy peasy.”

“One of you must get Harry to rub sun cream on your back,” Rian announced.

Iona raised her hand. “No problem, I’m on it. Won’t be the first time I talked a guy into creaming me.”

Rian giggled as Miki pulled a face. “Did you have to say it like that?”

“One of you must sit in Camilo’s lap and stay there for at least thirty seconds.” Rian read.

“I can do that.” Miki smiled. 

“Thirty seconds is a long time,” Elladine smirked.

“I can do it, just watch me,” Miki said.

Rian giggled. “One of you must get Bill to motorboat you.”

Elladine bursts out laughing. “Oh, let me do that one! That’s too funny.”

Miki leans close to Rian and whispers.”Would this be a wrong time to ask what motorboat means?”

“Not at all,” Rian smirked at Elladine, “Would you mind giving Miki a demonstration, babes?”

“Of course not, come on, Rian.” Rian buried her face in Elladine’s cleavage, shaking her head from side to side, making all the other girls collapse in giggles.

“That’s ridiculous,” Miki said between giggles.

“Yes, which is why I wanna be the one who does it, just to see the look on Bill’s face,” Elladine smirked.

“Won’t  Nicky be upset?”  Rian asked. 

“Someone will have to distract him,” Elladine said.

“What’s the next task, Rian?” Miki asked. 

“One of you must get Nicky to say ‘Enchanted Husband’ out loud without asking him.” Rian read.

“That one is for me,” Yasmin said, beaming.

“One of you must convince Ciaran and Tai to wrestle each other,”  Rian said as she continued reading the text.

“I really want to do that too.” AJ grinned. “Honestly, both those guys seem like they’d be really fun to wrestle with.”

“One of you must convince Seb to wear eyeliner.” Rian continued.
 
“Is that even a challenge?” Iona huffed. “There is no way Seb hasn’t had an eyeliner phase.”

“Oh! I want to do this one.” Viv said, jumping up. “I bet he’d look nice.”

“That’s seven,” Elladine smiled. “But what is Rian going to do.”

“Well, since you guys took all the tasks,” Rian said thoughtfully. “I’ll help with timing and distractions or step in if things go wrong.”

“Yea, like a backup plan.” AJ grinned. “I like it.”