Meet Your Match

15

In what I would remember as one of my favorite mornings on the show, Hanna and I sat in bed watching—like every other couple in the mansion—whatever the TV decided to show us.

The screen congratulated Hades and Persephone on securing the most votes. In the image they used, I stood with Hanna in my arms; a classic carry pose, as if I was taking her somewhere more comfortable—

"TAKE HER TO BED, HADES!" Shannon bellowed from her and Felix's room, and I narrowly avoided catapulting out of bed into the ceiling.

Dazzling effects had been added to each of us in the photos and clips. Those final touches had made the competition even tougher than I'd realized, elevating the significance of our success. Voters who hadn't gotten their way would no doubt be pissed, but I hoped our supporters would find it satisfying.

According to the rumors, our godly costumes had been mixed up behind the scenes—or at least some of them had. If true, Mitch and Crystal were the original Cronus and Rhea, but the sizes had been incorrect and the error discovered too late. Hence, a last-minute switch. There were also claims of a ruined Apollo wig being the actual cause. I wasn't sure I trusted the information or why it even mattered at this point.

"I still can't believe you didn't get a single bouquet, Hanna. Everyone must've been intimidated by me." I showed my pride by thrusting my chest out. "Nobody dared to approach my match."

"I had offers, I just didn't accept," Hanna said directly to my chest.

I had to hold her goddess face in my hands, stare into those dark eyes that kept me out. "I knew there had to be something more! Damn your irresistibility..."

"That's my line. You took every bouquet they gave you..."

I tore my eyes from her beauty mark. "Huh? Wait, are you jealous?"

I dropped my hands, and she played with an alluring spaghetti strap in a clear dismissal. "I don't get that way."

"Oh, no? You're side-eyeing me right now!" She literally was. I laughed at her profile in amazement. "Have you met yourself? Hanna, meet Hanna. The most jealous person you know. About to spit fire just because I accepted a couple of bouquets..."

"Six."

"Oh, my God," I gasped. "You counted—you're counting Mitch?"

Hanna sliced a finger through the air, crossing out their names: "And Amira's. And Kieran's. And..."

While I stammered, she stole Burt and Earl out of my arms, into her own.

"Hanna!" I laughed. "I was the safe choice. I'm the baby: nobody will get beaten up over me." Several women had given theirs to Kieran, but he had passed his collection to Amira, angering Thomas. I hadn't gotten that kind of response, nor should I have. "Plus, most of them were just reciprocating. And they weren't you, so—" I meant to go on, but Hanna had curled a lock of my hair around her finger.

"I liked how you looked. When you were hugging the bouquets, before and after you gave them away."

I hadn't wanted to leave any of the women flowerless.

"You were so surprised and happy. It made me want to fill this place with roses. I thought, She was meant to smile like that."

I sniffed. My lower lip trembled. Until, with a dash of humor, Hanna threw my old words back at me: "Should I go brush my teeth again?"

The TV chimed. MOMENTS YOU MIGHT'VE MISSED...

I stood by a window, pouting as I watched Hanna talk to other people...absently scratching my butt...not knowing that Amira was crouched behind me, using a feather to tickle my skin. She cried silent tears of laughter when I got fed up and gave the misbehaving cheek a slap.