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Across from us is another blonde. But she has a short bob hairstyle. She’s dressed in a navy pantsuit, and her fiancé is in navy slacks, a crisp white dress shirt, and a navy sports coat. I get the impression they coordinated their outfits for dinner.

Down the long table sits the other couples. They all range in age from early twenties to maybe late forties. The mood around the table is light and friendly for the most part.

The navy-wearing couple across from us, however, are not giving off friendly vibes. They’re mostly keeping to themselves. I haven’t heard them say anything to the other contestants since sitting down thirty minutes ago, and the furtive looks they keep darting toward me and Jess are downright strange.

The show’s hostess, Anne-Marie, is sitting at the opposite end of the long table. Just as I glance down at her, she rises from her seat and taps her spoon on the side of her wine glass. Her tight, rhinestone-covered red dress glitters from the reflection of light coming from the overhead chandelier as she turns to look at all the contestants.

“Thank you for coming to our welcome dinner tonight. We thought it would be fun to get you all together to meet your fellow opponents. I also wanted to congratulate Dax Anders and Jess Roberts on winning the first round.”

Everyone turns to stare at us before politely clapping their hands. Most of the faces looking at us are friendly. However, the couple in navy is shooting daggers at us. I’m guessing they aren’t happy to have lost this round.

Jess stiffens beside me, and I wonder if she doesn’t like all the attention. I’m used to having eyes on me every time I go out in public, but she’s probably not used to it. Though bubbly and almost effervescent at times, I’ve noticed that she also has a quieter side, too. It must be why she likes being behind the camera rather than in front of it.

Anne-Marie continues. “If you didn’t place well this round, don’t worry. There are many opportunities for you in the coming weeks. Tonight, you’ll want to get to bed early so that you can get an early start for the next round. We’ll begin promptly at eight o’clock in the morning. As before, you will receive a message on the app with instructions. For now, please feel free to enjoy the open bar, mingle with the other contestants, and have a good time.”

This earns a cheer from the table.

“This is going to be an amazing competition, and I can’t wait to see who wins the next round. Good luck to all!” Anne-Marie takes one last sip of her wine and then sets the glass down. I watch as she makes her way out of the restaurant.

The lady with the long, blonde hair sitting next to me puts her hand on my leg to get my attention. She lets it linger a little too long for my comfort. Her protruding triple Ds brush up against my arm as she leans in toward me. Her lips are dangerously close to coming into contact with the corner of my mouth. “Congratulations on the win,” she purrs. “You must be very excited.”

Before I can comment, Jess puts her hand on my shoulder and leans over my lap. Her voice is a little too loud when she says, “Hi there. I’m Jess. Dax’s fiancée. And yes, we’re both very excited to have won this round.”

If I’m not mistaken, I detect just the smallest bit of possessiveness coming from Jess. It pleases me more than it should.

The blonde lady’s attention shifts to Jess. She gives a little lilting laugh. “Nice to meet you, Jess. I’m Delphine, and this is Clyde.”

Clyde leans forward to see past Delphine and gives us a little wave in greeting. “Hi there,” he says.

That’s all we get from Clyde. He goes back to staring at Delphine’s chest and drinking the amber-colored liquid in his glass.

Just to make small talk, I get Delphine’s attention. “How are you and Clyde enjoying the trip so far?”

Her brightly painted red lips curve into a smile. “Oh, you know how it is. Cooped up in a small car all day is rough going at times. Plus, Clyde drives too slow. It seems you don’t have that problem, Mr. First Place.”

Delphine winks flirtatiously at me. I get the feeling that flirting comes naturally to her since she does it with such ease. Clyde doesn’t seem to mind.

But Jess does. She takes her hand from my shoulder and wraps it around my neck as she leans in closer.

“Oh, yes, Dax is doing a fantastic job of getting us to our locations quickly. We’ve had such a great time on our trip. Haven’t we, Dax?”

Jess’s possessive gesture doesn’t go unnoticed by Delphine, who arches an eyebrow.

“I’d say the trip has been very interesting and gets more so by the day. I think the trip would not be nearly as exciting if I were with someone other than Jess.”

“Isn’t that sweet?” Delphine says lightly. “You two are so cute together.”

I smile over at Jess. “I think so, too.”

Delphine picks up her sequined bag from the table. “Well, it’s been fun talking with you, but Clyde and I are going back to the room. Need to get some rest.”

She and Clyde push back their chairs and get up.

I hold up my hand in a wave. “Nice talking to you, too. Good luck with the rest of the competition.”

Delphine winks at me again. “Oh, honey, we don’t need luck. I’m taking over driving from now on. Clyde’s too slow.”

I look over at Jess and notice the glaring look on her face as she watches them walk to the exit.