Page 44 of The TV Show Rival
Jess’ smile faltered slightly. Dinner with Miguel? The ever-enthusiastic host who seemed oblivious to the simmering sexual tension between the coaches. It had completely slipped her mind.
“Oh, right. Miguel’s family dinner. Sounds… fun.”
“Yeah. Can’t wait to meet his family, you know.”
Leaning in close to Jamie’s ear, she lowered her voice to a seductive whisper. “Or we could scrap the family dinner with the random island guy and instead, spend the night… tasting each other?”
Jamie yelped, swatting at Jess’ arm with a playful groan. “Oh, stop it! You get more than enough sex. Miguel will be here any minute.”
“Fine. Family dinner it is,” Jess groaned.
A sudden shout called from across the shore. “Hola, chicas!”
Jess and Jamie spotted Miguel, standing at the helm of a small wooden boat bobbing gently near the shore.
Moonlight glinted off the silver medallion hanging from a thick, braided leather cord around his neck.
Dressed in the traditional garb of a Costa Rican fisherman, Miguel wore a loose-fitting guayabera shirt, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A wide-brimmed straw hat sat perched on his head at a jaunty angle. A worn leather band held a collection of colorful feathers tucked beneath the hatband—a souvenir from a past fishing expedition, perhaps.
“Miguel!” Jamie called back with a smile. Jess, too, couldn’t help but relax at the sight of their friendly host.
They hurried towards the water’s edge, and with a little help, they clambered aboard.
Settling back at the helm, he expertly steered the boat away from the shore.
“Sorry I’m a bit late. But well done, Jamie,” he said, his gaze lingering on Jess. “Bringing your friend along, the stoic one. Though, I must admit, seeing you two together after all the fireworks on the show, it’s a bit of a surprise!”
“Oh, right,” she said quickly, “We just became friends recently, you know, getting to know each other outside the competition.” A silent plea hung in her voice—please, keep it a secret.
“Well, that’s certainly a twist the producers wouldn’t be expecting! But hey,” he continued, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, “secrets are safe with me. Just consider this an off-camera bonus round, friendship edition!”
Jamie let out a relieved breath.
“Hola, Jess. Welcome aboard! Don’t let Jamie fool you, I know you’re the real brains of the operation behind all that brawn.”
Jess, caught slightly off guard by his direct address, could only offer a surprised laugh. “Nice to meet you properly, Miguel. And for the record, Jamie can hold her own just fine.”
A playful glance darted towards Jamie, who winked in response.
Miguel chuckled again. “Plenty of time for you both to prove yourselves later, but for now, let’s enjoy this beautiful night and some good food. Isabella’s outdone herself tonight. She’s been in the kitchen all day, preparing a feast fit for kings! Enough food to feed a small army, she says.”
“Sounds wonderful, Miguel. We can’t wait to try it all,” Jamie says.
Miguel nodded, then leaned in conspiratorially. “Just a heads up. Maybe don’t mention the surprise to Isabella yet. She loves planning these big reveals.”
Jess and Jamie burst into laughter, exchanging a knowing glance.
“Our lips are sealed, Miguel. We wouldn’t dream of spoiling your wife’s grand finale,” Jess assured him.
With a final chuckle, Miguel pushed off from the shore, the gentle rocking of the boat towards the other end.
The rhythmic lap of water against the boat lulled them into a comfortable silence, the only sound the gentle creak of the wood and the distant chirping of nocturnal insects.
As they neared the opposite shore, the outline of a small village materialized against the moonlit landscape. Lanterns flickered warmly from a cluster of brightly painted wooden houses nestled amongst the palm trees.
Smoke curled lazily from thatched roofs, carrying with it the tantalizing aromas of wood fire and spices.
The shore bustled with a quiet activity. A few small, brightly colored fishing boats bobbed gently at the water’s edge, and nets, neatly mended and smelling of salt and brine, lay draped over the sides, waiting for their next encounter with the sea.