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Chapter 54
Cristina
“I want to welcome all of you to the very last challenge in the magical matchmaking competition!”
We’re in the tent for one final time. Our old stations are gone, and in their place is stacked seating. We’re situated on the same platform as Jace and Holly. The other three couples are below us.
Mina turns slightly toward us.
“And we’re pleased to have Cristina and Rhett back. I know everyone was sad when they dropped out, but they’re here for the finale—and I don’t know about y’all, but I’m excited to see what happens.”
Rhett looks over at me and takes my hand. A tingle runs up my arm. It feels good to be here. No, great.
The last time I stood in this tent, I couldn’t breathe. My throat closed up, my vision blurred, and I collapsed in front of everyone.
But today I have a full inhaler in my purse, Rhett’s hand in mine, and zero interest in losing. We’re here to win.
“For those of y’all who’ve been watching the challenges from the beginning, you know that we’ve been awarding fifty points to the winner of each. There are three couples at the bottom—in terms of points, I mean.” She laughs and then quickly sobers. “Maya and Logan, Jace and Holly, and Callie and Jeff. I know it might seem hopeless for y’all, but it’s not. It’s still anyone’s game, and all of you—let me say it louder for those in the back—all of you have a real shot at winning the one-hundred-thousand-dollar pot.”
Everyone claps, and I glance at Holly, who shoots me a smug smile. I shoot it right back. You little tripper.
Mina steps behind a large lectern that looks like a game show set piece. “Our final challenge may be the hardest yet. The baking challenge proved that each of you is a team. The pottery challenge showed how you communicate, and the bridge exercise proved trust. Now the final challenge will prove how well you’ve listened to one another over these past six weeks.
“Contestants, you will each be asked a series of questions about your partner. You will write your answers with the paper and markers provided. If the answer is correct, you will get fifty points. Incorrect answers receive zero points. Everybody got it?”
We all nod.
“And there’s a twist,” Mina adds like an evil little gremlin.
Rhett and I exchange a look. Why am I not surprised that there’s a twist?
She grins. “You know how we like our monkey wrenches—well, this is the very last one. Each point you’ve scored up until now, while amazing, is gone. All of you will begin at zero. Ladies and gentlemen, you are starting with a clean slate, which is great news for some of y’all. Now . . . let’s get started. The first question tonight is about the gentlemen. Ladies, please write down what is your partner’s greatest fear in a relationship? You have one minute.”
Music plays over the speakers to fill the dead space as I uncap the marker.
What is Rhett’s greatest fear in relationships? That’s easy. I jot down my answer, and a minute later Mina chimes, “Time’s up. Let’s start with Clarice and Beau. Beau, what’s your answer?”
Clarice looks at Beau. I cross my fingers because I really, really want them to do well. I love them as a couple.
Beau smiles at Clarice and says, “That I won’t be able to provide for my family.”
Mina clutches her heart. “Oh my goodness, the truth is deep and we’ve just started. This is going to be a great night. I might cry before it’s over. But on a more serious note, Clarice, what did you write?”
She flips up her card. I can’t see it, but Mina reads, “That he won’t be able to provide for his family! Great job, you two.”
We all clap and she moves on. Callie and Maya both guess correctly, then it’s Jace and Holly’s turn.
“Jace, what’s your biggest fear?”
He leans into the microphone in front of him and says, “That things will stop being fun.”
Holly scoffs and flips up her card.
“Oh no,” Mina says in a pouty voice. “Holly wrote that you’ll marry the wrong person. That’s very different fears. Looks like a mismatch. But don’t worry, there’s plenty of time to make up the points. Rhett, what’s your answer?”
He hesitates for a moment before answering. “My biggest fear, Mina, is failing someone.”
“Be still my heart,” she jokes. “Cristina, what did you write?”
