My Sweets

Cheaters Never Win

JESSA

Everyone is still sleeping when I sneak out of bed. I head into the dressing room and do a little dance of happiness. This summer has been hard, but it's all been worth it. I'm in a better place now than I was when I auditioned. I'm so unbelievably happy. I quickly shower, slip on a metallic gold bikini and get ready for the day.

As I'm putting on my makeup, Hope and Hannah walk in. "You're looking all loved up this morning," Hannah hugs me.

"I really am," I gush.

She sighs dreamily. "You and Bobby are turning out to be quite the romantic story. I'm not sure who's the better couple. You two or Hope and Noah."

I smile at Hope. "We're both amazing couples."

"I'm just happy the drama of the recouplings are over and we can just focus on our couples now," Hope responds.

"I don't think the drama is over," Hannah whispers as Lottie walks into the room. I swear the temperature lowered with her arrival. I shiver.

Lottie's look throws daggers of hatred towards Hannah. "Shouldn't you be stabbing people in the back?"

"Look Lottie," Hannah anxiously says, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't handle any of this rig...."

"Sorry isn't good enough." Tears start streaming from her eyes. "What you did is the ultimate form of betrayal. You stole him from me at the last recoupling!"

"You did kiss Gary..." Marisol points out.

"Not helping, Marisol," Hope fumes.

"Yes!" Lottie yells. "I kissed Gary. I know it probably hurt you, Han, but you were gone. Already out of the picture. You came back with one mission and that was to steal my man. Someone I have real feelings for."

Hannah does look remorseful. "I'm sorry, Lottie. I know you don't want to hear this but I have feelings for Gary too."

"You're right. I don't want to hear it nor do I want to hear anything else come from your mouth ever again!"

Hope hugs Lottie's trembling body. "Why don't we go chat somewhere." She escorts her from the room.

Hannah wipes tears from her eyes. "I didn't come here to be friends again but I didn't want to hurt her either." She slips out of the dressing room too. If she didn't want to hurt her, she handled this all wrong.

I'm determined not to let this drama ruin my day. I head downstairs for breakfast, which they have a small buffet set up. I grab a cup of tea and some scrambled eggs. I smile at Bobby as I sit down next to him.

"Morning Lass." He kisses my cheek. "Looking gorg!"

"Morning to you!"

"I was sad to wake up and find you gone. Freaked me out for a second."

"Aww. Sorry babes," I plant a kiss on his cheek. "You already missed some Lottie drama," I whisper in his ear.

"I figured as much. It might be a rough day."

He continues his conversation with Noah as I dig into my breakfast. I look over and he has french toast! There wasn't any left. Damn. French toast would sure hit the spot. I ignore it and go back to my eggs but the french toast is calling me. I reach over and grab a bite. Bobby looks at me in amused shock.

"Couples tax!" I shout.

He chuckles and shakes his head. "Is this what I've signed up for? A lifetime of you stealing my food?"

"Only when it's my favorite!" I give him a huge smile and bat my eyelashes. He sighs with fake exasperation and I steal another bite. He gives me a funny look. "What?"