you're so golden.

“Was that okay?” He asked incredulously, almost as if he couldn’t believe the idea that she wouldn’t know how talented she was. Jamie was all smiles clearly beaming, “That was absolutely incredible. We’ll do a karaoke night or something soon and you’ll be able to see how shitty I am,” he chuckled. Jamie groaned and stood with her rolling his eyes. He knew she was right and it would be time to go any second, he’d already spent more time with her than anyone else in the house. “But I don’t want to say goodbye yet,” he pouted. 

Logan shook her head. She knew she shouldn’t be this upset, she was the one who had decided to stick around waiting for so long. She knew who Devon was and his reputation for being the heartthrob and for whatever reason she had tried to convince herself it wouldn’t bother her and this would work out just fine. “Hey, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it Devon,” she forced a chuckle out. “I get it. You could have owned up to it and just told me you didn’t want to do this though, sent me a text or something. Instead I’m looking like an idiot sitting here waiting for you for 45 minutes. Do you realize how embarrassing that is?”

“I’m very glad you decided to come on this one,” he said genuinely. When she closed her eyes a brief moment of panic came over him. Maybe Jamie shouldn’t have suggested this, she had already sung for him once that day and it had been a long one now. But as quickly as the panic had come it was gone, replaced by awe. He had known she was talented, even with the funny song she had sung to make sure he would remember her but this was something else. He was grinning from ear to ear as he listened - almost wishing there were cameras to capture how lovely she sounded. 

 Amena chuckled at what the man said. “Well, my roommate is still out of the house for another week. So next time you’ll have to bring Robert to my house and we can have another movie tonight. Or I can just bring Penny, whatever is easy for you,” she told him with a sweet smile. “Trying to get me in your room?” She asked with a laugh, rolling her eyes at him. She kneeled down on the ground to say bye to Robert, attempting very poorly to give the dog a hug. “Until next time, new friend,” she told him before she was standing back up. “Ready to go?” 

A good memory? That could be anything. She happily sighed as soon as it hit her. “My audition for American Idol.” She laughed. “It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t that great either. But, it made me realize that music was definitely something I want to pursue in my lifetime. I sang “Gravity” by John Mayer and I was even told my voice was annoying but all it did was push me to do better.” She said happily. “Wouldn’t trade it for the world!”

“Hey hey hey, I’m not the one saying no,” he laughed, frowning slightly. He knew it was against the rules to have her come by, even just to spend another hour or so with her. They wanted the girls to get to know each other, they wanted this show to be a true competition. But they had also let him bend the rules to do this, so maybe down the road... in a few days he could suggest other rule changes? 

Jamie smiled happily as he listened to her story. “Oh, so you just like to hop from reality show to reality show?” He teased. “Alright, I have to go in a few minutes, but that is one of my favorite songs so you’re gonna need to sing it for me.” 

She waved bye to the ladies who unfortunately didn’t make it and then she stopped when she heard Jamie make his announcement. She didn’t even bother rushing over to him because she wanted to be last. She even took a step outside so that he and her would be able to have that final moment of the night alone. Sitting by a fire pit, she sipped a little bit of champagne, waiting patiently to see him show up again.

It wasn’t long before she actually heard his voice drawing near. It had been a few good minutes but Blake was patient and she was willing to wait as long as she needed to for Jamie. As soon as he rounded the corner, Blake smirked, giving him a small wave. “You sure you don’t have an extra large pocket you can stuff me in to take me back?” she joked.

Jamie was glad to see Blake step away, he had wanted to save her for last. Everyone had so much they wanted to say and tell him and he was happy to go through it all - smiling and nodding the entire time knowing that at the very end he’d get to talk to Blake once more. The producers let him know she had gone outside and he could already feel the excitement bubbling inside him as he was getting closer and closer to their time together. 

He nearly collapsed into the seat beside her, laughing as he thought about tucking her into one of his pockets safe and sound. “If only. You don’t happen to have a shrink gun on you or anything? That could work too,” he laughed, letting out an exhausted sigh. “Tell me something nice. What’s your favorite memory from growing up.” 

“Please, I’m sorry,” she told him. “I had a really good time today though, Sam. We’ll do this again soon?” She asked him with a smile, holding out a hand to help him up if he needed it. “Honestly, I’d have just stayed and crashed on your couch but you know… I’m not evil,” she said with a chuckle, going to grab her bag and phone from where she’d left them. 

Blake took a deep breath, letting go of his hands and starting to walk away back towards the doors that she had originally came in before looking back at him. “wait no…one more.” she laughed, skipping up to him and pressing another kiss to his lips. “mmm, okay. i’ll see you soon.” she whispered and headed into the room to get in place for the rose ceremony.

He wondered briefly if the others would catch on. If during the rose ceremony he’d give her some sort of look, you’re safe, of course. There was something like a pang of guilt as he thought about it. Everyone else had thought they had a leveling playing field - and when they had walked into the house they had. But Blake had far and away stolen the show and he was already guessing he’d be giving her the most attention throughout. 

All too happily he obliged with another kiss, wishing there could be more, wishing they could spend more time just the two of them chatting about their lives. But that wasn’t how this would be working, no matter how much he wish he could change his agreement with the show now. “I’ll see you soon,” he responded waving goodbye sadly. 

The rose ceremony went quickly. Most of the women producers had told Jamie he had to keep, there was boring Tessica and Isabel who would be America’s sweethearts. A few wild cards, and of course Blake. When the cameras went down Jamie let out an audible sigh of relief. “Thank you everyone for a great night. It was awesome getting to know everyone, before I go I’m gonna check in briefly with you all, no cameras or anything.” Jamie had come up with the idea last second, wanting to steal one more chance with Blake, even if it came with the price of seeing everyone else one more time as well.

She hadn’t meant to wake him up. “Yes, sorry. I can’t believe you fell asleep for the whole thing. I loved it, great re-watch,” she said sarcastically – She hoped he hadn’t caught the way she’d kissed his cheek. She pulled herself away from him and stood up, stretching, raising her arms up in the air. “Mmmm…” she looked down at her watch, doing a double take. “It’s already 8 o’clock, shit. I have to feed Penny.” 

“I might be too tall for a suitcase.” She smirked, playfully pushing him before he had came even closer to her, leaning in. As he lifted her chin, Blake’s eyes fluttered shut, kissing him back softly and letting it linger a little before she pulled back. A blush took over her face and she bit her lip as she tried to hide it. “That was nice.” She said softly, intertwining her fingers with his.

Blake took a deep breath, pressing her forehead to his and then started to look around. “It’s gotta be time for that rose ceremony soon, right? How much time do I have left before I have to say goodnight?”

Jamie was thankful there had been no one to follow them into the room. The camera were off with the other girls, producers ensuring that the rose ceremony was laid out just right. That way he knew this moment was just for them. Later there wouldn’t be some footage of there first kiss used to sell the idea that this show really was all that it presented itself as. Instead this moment was just theirs. When she pulled back he couldn’t help the smile that tugged at his lips. “And I didn’t think I’d be the type to go around kissing on the first night,” he laughed.

Jamie sighed thinking about the time they had left, two or three minutes maybe. “Guess we should get back to it. I’ll make sure to find you before I get whisked off. I’ll say goodnight, don’t you worry about it. I’ll use the signal if I gotta.”

She had fallen asleep for longer than she thought she would; She assumed it would be a second or two, but when she woke up, the end credits to the Matrix were rolling. She looked up, realizing Sam was still there. She smiled looking up at him and in a tired daze she leaned in, giving the man a kiss right under the jaw. She stretched softly, trying to get up without waking him up. 

“Shhhh,” she had told him, hand on his chest, rubbing back and forth as if she wanted to soothe him, but the action really soothed herself, lulling herself into a sleep. Half asleep, she turned her body a bit towards him so that he could cradle her, head resting in the crook of his arm and chest, feeling more relaxed in his arms even if they were on a couch than she ever could on her bed, that she had invested way too much money in.