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The familiar clicking of her heels echoed throughout the Villa, reverberating through Hamish’s chest as he anxiously awaited to see if she had brought someone back.
She turned the corner and his breath caught as he saw her alone, dressed to the nines in a tight green dress that hugged her curves. Her eyes scanned down the line of boys, briefly pausing as she noticed Uma stood next to Chen, but quickly moving on until they settled on him. Her face lit up, breaking out into that gorgeous smile he had missed so much. He found it impossible not to mirror her happy expression.
“I hope you boys haven’t missed me too much” she teased, sending a wink in his direction which made his stomach do a flip. It surprised him even now the effect she had on him after such a short time.
“Alice, I want to explain-” Chen started, taking a hesitant step towards her.
“It’s all good babe, I encouraged you to explore other connections and I’m really glad you did. No hard feelings on my end.”
Hamish hadn’t known she’d pied Chen before leaving for Casa, the set designer had kept that close to his chest the whole time. The fact that she’d come back alone despite that made a hungry part of him rear its head in curiosity. Had their chat on the terrace had anything to do with it? Regardless, if Natasha had chosen to twist, which he wouldn’t be surprised about, that would leave him single and vulnerable, and the idea of going home when they’d barely begun to explore their connection was gutting. Although he supposed she was in the same boat since Chen twisting had left her single.
His phone chimed. “Hamish, please announce whether you have chosen to stick with Natasha or twist with a Casa Amor girl.”
He stood. “You all know I’ve made many mistakes in my time here, and Nat and I haven’t exactly left things on great terms. Casa was an interesting experience this time around as it gave me lots of time to reflect on my behaviour and how I want to act going forward. Before the girls left, I had a really good chat with one of them where we both put all our cards on the table and I’ve been looking forward to her coming back more than anything so we can pick up where we left off.” He stole a glance at Alice to find her already looking at him with a soft smile. “This connection is what I want to focus on from now on, no one in Casa could hold a candle to her. After everything I’ve done to Nat I also couldn’t risk leaving her single if she did choose to stick, I feel I owe her that much at least, so I’ve decided to stick with Natasha.”
Alice was smiling at him, eyes twinkling with affection. Hamish hoped that they’d get their chance soon because he couldn’t stand the thought of spending another minute away from her.
The sound of Natasha’s heels tore his attention away from the brunette. He turned towards the villa doors, finding Natasha strutting towards the firepit with a handsome man on her arm. He recognised him immediately as Alice’s ex from her season, Stefan. All the other boys seemed to have the same realisation at the exact same time, as they all whirled to face the girl in question to gauge her reaction.
“We’re good friends, I’ll always have a soft spot for him but we want to leave the past in the past.” She said to Finn, who had clearly asked the question on everyone’s mind. Stefan added his agreement, and the matter was set aside as a text chimed.
“It’s mine!” Alice called out, everyone waited on bated breath to hear what was in store for them “Hamish, Jude and Alice, you have been left single after Stick or Twist, but only one of you will be going home. Alice, as the only single girl you must choose which boy to couple up with. The boy you don’t choose will be dumped from the Villa immediately.”
A shocked murmur ran through the Islanders. Hamish lifted his gaze from where it had been fixed to the floor to tentatively glance at the girl who held his fate in her hands. She was already looking at him with a determined set to her eyes. He wasn’t a gambling man, but he liked his odds: she had to pick between a man she had a connection with, and one who had actively tried to sabotage her last couple. Still, the insecurities reared their head, and he wondered whether she did truly want him as she had said she did, and if Casa Amor had changed things. He’d said in his speech that he wanted to pursue her, but they hadn’t had a chance to talk yet.
Her voice quieted his racing thoughts. “This should be a difficult decision, but it’s probably the easiest one I’ve had to make so far in the Villa. I’ve been wanting to couple up with this boy since day one, and I’m glad I finally get the opportunity to. Jude, I’m so sorry, you’re an amazing guy, we may have had our drama but I have no hard feelings, it’s just I have to follow my heart and choose the boy I can see a connection with. I choose Hamish.”
He was sweeping her up in his arms in an instant, her laugh breathless and delighted as he pulled her in close and kissed her with fervour. Her fingers tangled into his hair, nails gently scratching at the back of his head in a way that made him tremble. She had entirely too much of an effect on him.
Reluctantly, he pulled himself away from her lips, softly placing her back on solid ground. He didn’t go far though, keeping her hand in his and leading her to sit with the other couples.
Jude read out a text announcing his dumping, and everyone surged forwards to hug him and say their goodbyes. The Villa was caught in a flurry of motion as everyone chimed in to help pack and wave him off at the door. Alice was glued to his side the entire time, a calming presence in the chaos that surrounded them. It was only after Jude’s car had turned the corner, when Chen approached and asked to pull her for a quick chat, that she let go of his hand and left him with a soft kiss on the cheek.
Hamish in turn found Natasha, in the hopes of clearing the air between them and having a long overdue conversation about Melgate.
“What did you and Chen talk about?” Kat inquired as she, Alice and Kelly got ready for bed.
“Oh he just wanted to explain that he was planning on staying loyal but his connection with Uma was too real to ignore. I think he was expecting me to be mad even though I told him to find someone else after the PDA awards drama.” Alice responded.
“I’m glad it didn’t lead to you getting dumped, girl! And now you get to stop pining after Hamish” Kelly giggled conspiratorially, nudging Alice with her elbow.
“I was not pining!” The girl was quick to defend, before sighing and admitting “Ok, I definitely was. I’m really happy with how things have turned out”
Kelly squealed and Kat smiled, both happy for their friend. They got changed, chatting about how each of them were feeling being back, soon joined by Natasha and Uma.
Alice was the first to leave the dressing room. She’d chosen her cutest sleepwear for her first night with Hamish. His eyes shone as he took her in when she sidled up to their bed, the warmth she saw in them spreading through her like wildfire.
“You look gorgeous, I’m so lucky I get to share a bed with the most stunning girl” he whispered, sounding as if he himself didn’t believe it.
She slid under the covers with him, nestling close as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her into his chest. She breathed in his scent, the rich cologne he wore lingering on his skin and the soapy freshness from his shower gel. The lights went out as everyone else settled into their own beds around them.
“I missed you a lot during Casa.” She admitted, whispering into his chest where he held her. “I just wanted it to be over so I could get back here, to you.”
Hamish’s breath caught, clearly not used to hearing such open declarations of affection towards him. It made her heart break to know he hadn’t been treated as he deserved, and resolved to be the one to show him what that looked like.
“Our chat on the roof terrace before us girls left really changed things for me. I’d fancied you from day one, took every chance I could to spend time with you or flirt during a challenge, but I never thought you felt the same. Our accidental date gave me hope but that terrace chat really cemented that you’re the one I want.”
He smiled down at her, his eyes so soft and caring. She liked seeing this side of him.
“I slept on the daybeds every night, with Finn. I meant what I said at the firepit earlier, no one holds a candle to you, to how you make me feel.” He confessed, making her blush.
“How do I make you feel?”
“Seen, like you understand me. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way before, and it’s scary to know you see parts of me no one else has, but I like it at the same time.”
She pulled his face down to hers, pressed her lips to his softly. His arms tightened around her, pressing her into his body, and she felt his hands trace patterns on her back so lightly it made her shiver. Her own wrapped around his neck and carded through his hair, running the soft locks through her fingers.
When they parted, neither of them could stop the smiles on their faces. Alice pressed one more quick kiss to his lips.
“I feel the same way, I’m so happy we finally get to be together.” She whispered. Hamish held her close until they both drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.