Chapter 3


Tori sat cross-legged on Andre's living room floor, surrounded by half-unpacked boxes. It had been four days since they'd returned to Los Angeles, but she still felt displaced. Her things were sent to Andre's parents' house because her own family was scattered across the country. LA was her hometown, but now, without her own place to stay, it felt foreign, like a chapter she couldn't fully return to.

She absentmindedly folded a shirt into a neat square, but her mind wasn't on packing. It was on Jade. It always was.

Why did she kiss me?

The memory of Jade's lips still lingered, soft and hesitant, the weight of it pressing on her like a heavy burden. She'd tried to bury her feelings for Jade years ago, but now, that kiss had stirred up everything she thought she'd left behind. And to make it worse, she hadn't told Jade why she was really back in town.

Tori was here for the show. *Just Say I Do*—a reality show that promised love, or at least a decent shot at it. And now, she was about to go into a social experiment designed to find a perfect match, but all she could think about was the woman who had kissed her as if time hadn't passed at all. The show was supposed to be her fresh start, but how could she move forward with Jade occupying so much space in her head?

"Why'd she have to go and kiss me?" Tori muttered aloud, frustration leaking into her voice.

Andre looked up from the couch where he was scrolling through his phone, raising an eyebrow. "She's Jade. She complicates things. That's kind of her thing."

Tori threw her hands up. "I'm supposed to be focusing on the show, Andre! I'm about to be in this game where I pick a girl, go on a honeymoon, maybe even marry her—and now I can't stop thinking about Jade. I'm gonna get cut from the show before it even starts."

Andre shook his head, sitting up straighter. "You're not gonna get cut. You're good at this stuff, Tori. People like you. You'll charm the producers and the contestants, just like you always do."

Tori ran a hand through her hair, letting out a long breath. "I want to make it far. I need the airtime, the exposure, but Jade's kiss… It's like it's got a grip on me. It's making me doubt everything."

Andre's expression softened. "You know what I think? I think it's not about the kiss. You've been carrying feelings for Jade for years. That kiss just brought everything back to the surface."

Tori went quiet, staring down at the clothes scattered around her. It wasn't just the kiss. Andre was right—there was a lot more under the surface. Jade had been her almost. Her what-if. And now, the show was supposed to be a way to leave all that behind, to start fresh with someone new. But how could she do that when the past was pulling her back in?

"Maybe I'll just fake it," Tori said after a moment. "Go through the motions, pick someone on the show, and at the last minute, let it go. I don't have to marry anyone, right? One night with Jade, and it'd be worth the sacrifice."

Andre raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You don't really believe that, do you? You're not the kind of person to play games with people's feelings. You're looking for something real. If you go into the show half-hearted, you're only gonna sabotage yourself."

Tori groaned, falling back onto the floor, her arms spread wide. "But what if Jade is the one? What if I'm supposed to be with her, and this whole show is just me running away from that?"

Andre gave her a long look before speaking. "Then ask yourself this: if Jade was really the one, wouldn't you already be with her?"

The truth of his words stung, but Tori knew he had a point. She'd been waiting for Jade to make a move, to give her something real for years. And when it finally came in the form of that kiss, all it had done was confuse her more.

"You've got to stay open to the possibility of love," Andre continued, his voice gentle but firm. "You've got this opportunity in front of you—a fresh start. Don't waste it because of what might've been with Jade. You might meet someone who'll make you forget all about her."

Tori sat up, nodding slowly as his words sank in. "You're right. I need to give this a real shot."

"Good." Andre smiled, his hand resting reassuringly on her shoulder. "You deserve to find something real, Tori."

Before she could say anything else, her phone buzzed with a notification. Her driver was outside. The pod experiment was starting, and it was time to go.

Tori stood, grabbing her bag, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. "Wish me luck," she said, glancing at Andre.

"You don't need luck," he grinned. "You've got this."

They hugged tightly, and Tori allowed herself a moment to soak in the comfort of her best friend. When they pulled away, she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. She hadn't told Jade about the show, She hadn't had time. She had run good and well from jade and Jade had no idea what was about to happen.

As she stepped outside into the cool LA night, Tori couldn't help but wonder what would happen if their paths crossed again on the show. Would they confront the unresolved feelings between them? Or would this be the fresh start she needed to move on?


Alex sat in the production room, her eyes fixed on the multiple screens streaming live feeds of the contestants preparing for their journey. The day had barely begun, but the mounting tension in her chest told her something was off. It was always a bit chaotic on the first day—contestants running late, last-minute nerves—but she'd done enough shows to sense when something wasn't quite right.

The camera feed of Tori Vega's driver pulling up to a modest suburban house caught her attention. Tori had been one of the more vibrant personalities in the audition process, practically radiating with excitement about finding love on the show. She had been eager, full of life, ready to dive into the experience with both feet. But as the live feed showed Tori stepping out of the house and walking to the car, something was different.

Alex leaned forward, squinting at the screen as Tori's form appeared. Instead of the bubbly, enthusiastic woman she remembered, Tori's steps were measured, her movements slow. She offered a polite smile to the driver as she got into the car, but Alex could see the hesitation in her posture. There was none of the spark, the excitement she'd shown before. The cameras caught it all—the way her eyes drifted to the ground, the forced smile, the momentary pause before she shut the door behind her.

"Why does she seem so... off?" Alex muttered under her breath.

She replayed the footage, studying every detail. Tori had seemed so eager, so ready for this, but now? It was like something had changed. Alex shook her head, trying to brush off the feeling. Maybe it was just nerves—this was a huge leap for anyone. Still, something nagged at her, a sense that there was more to the story than simple pre-show jitters.

Her eyes drifted to the next feed, flipping over to *Jade West*.

Jade's apartment building looked like a far cry from where Tori had been staying. The driver stood outside the door, knocking, waiting. No answer. He knocked again, shifting on his feet. Alex frowned.

"Is she not home?" she asked no one in particular.

The production team around her was busy, focused on other contestants, but Alex couldn't shake the growing unease. Jade had been late with her paperwork, and they'd almost had to drop her from the show, but she'd pulled it together last minute. Yet here they were again—no answer. The door was shut tight. The driver checked his phone, probably wondering if he should make a call to see what was going on.

Alex clicked for a different angle of Jade's building. The camera outside the apartment complex showed no movement inside. The driver knocked again, more firmly this time. Still nothing.

"Where are you, Jade?" Alex muttered. "This isn't the time to disappear."

She tapped her fingers on the desk, watching the footage in tense silence. Was Jade flaking out? It wouldn't be the first time a contestant bailed at the last second, but Alex had a gut feeling that wasn't what was happening here. From what she had seen of Jade's audition tape, this wasn't someone who backed down from a challenge. She had been bold, unapologetic—almost too confident.

Suddenly, the door creaked open. Jade stood in the doorway, her hair slightly disheveled, her expression groggy. Alex felt the tension in her chest release slightly. Jade was still in it. But then something else struck her—the woman on screen didn't have the fire she remembered. Her audition had been sharp, full of bravado, but now Jade looked distracted, like her mind was elsewhere entirely.

"What the hell happened?" Alex whispered, eyes glued to the screen.

She watched as Jade exchanged a few words with the driver, then disappeared back inside to get ready. It wasn't like she had bailed completely, but Alex couldn't ignore the sense that both Tori and Jade were not fully present. They were supposed to be excited, nervous maybe, but eager to throw themselves into the experience. Instead, something was off—something she couldn't quite place.

Alex leaned back in her chair, staring at the screens as the drivers continued their rounds. Contestants all over the city were preparing for the next few weeks that would change their lives, but these two—their energy, their body language—it was different.

She didn't know them, not yet. But Alex had been producing shows long enough to spot a shift. Something had happened, something that made both Tori and Jade hesitate. She could feel it. Whatever it was, she was determined to figure it out.

"Keep an eye on these two," she told one of the techs as she tapped Jade's feed. "I've got a feeling there's a story there we're not seeing yet."

With a sigh, Alex turned back to the rest of the feeds, trying to shake the strange feeling that the show was already off to an unexpected start.


As a knock echoed through her small apartment, Jade stirred from a restless slumber. She groaned, tangled in her sheets, the remnants of fitful dreams still clinging to her mind. The memory of *that kiss* hung heavy, replaying in fragments every time she closed her eyes. She hadn't slept well since that night—since Tori had kissed her and then just… walked away.

With a deep sigh, Jade pushed herself out of bed, her movements sluggish and uncoordinated. She stumbled to the door, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. When she opened it, a driver stood on the other side, his posture professional and patient, a polite smile on his face.

"Ms. West?" he asked. "I'm here for you. The show sent me."

For a moment, Jade blinked in confusion, her mind slow to catch up. *The show*. It hit her all at once—the show! She had completely forgotten that *today* was the day. All her preparation, all the planning—and now she was starting the day already off balance.

The driver shifted awkwardly as Jade stood frozen, the weight of it all washing over her. How could she have forgotten something so important? The show was supposed to be a fresh start, a chance for new love, and if not that, at least some good exposure. She'd already gone through the trouble of moving her personal things into a storage locker. She wasn't coming back to this apartment after the show. And still, Tori's kiss had driven everything else out of her mind.

Tori. *That kiss*. Two nights ago, outside the hotel. Jade had kissed her, years of unresolved feelings and unspoken words spilling out in that one moment. But instead of something meaningful… Tori had just left. Walked away without saying anything. She'd left Jade standing on the sidewalk, feeling like the fool who had dared to hope again.

Shaking off the memory, Jade forced herself back into the present. There was no time to think about Tori now. "I'll be right out," she muttered to the driver before closing the door and taking a deep breath.

She hadn't been completely unprepared. Most of her stuff was already moved out. Her landlord had supplied the bare essentials in this rental unit, so packing had been easy. Everything she truly owned—her artwork, her vintage vinyls, her books—was packed away in a storage locker across town. Jade let out a humorless laugh at the thought. Her future wife, whoever she might be, would have to be okay with Jade being technically homeless after the show. No place to go back to but a storage unit and a mind full of regrets.

"At least I'll have a lot to offer in conversation," she mumbled to herself sarcastically as she hurriedly grabbed what she would need.

She threw her prettiest dresses and skirts into a bag. *The show* wanted polished, and polished they would get. But Jade wanted to hold on to who she was, too—the edge, the complexity, the woman who wasn't afraid to stand out. She glanced at herself in the mirror and decided on leather pants, a lace top, and her favorite fringe jacket. She added a few rings and necklaces, each piece a tiny armor for the day ahead.

Jade paused for a moment, staring at her reflection. She looked confident, fearless even. But beneath it all, the vulnerability still sat heavy in her chest.

"Why did I let her kiss me?" she whispered to herself. "Why now, of all times?"

She thought of Tori, of their years of near-misses, the way Tori always seemed to pull back just when Jade thought something real might happen. The last time, before Tori left for New York, had ended with a wall between them—one that Jade had thrown up, brick by brick, because Tori hadn't taken her seriously. And now, they were right back to where they'd started, only Jade had no idea why Tori was back in town. She hadn't mentioned the show. Not that Jade had either.

Grabbing her bag, Jade turned away from the mirror. She wouldn't let herself get distracted by Tori again. She was here for the show. For herself. She couldn't afford to let the past cloud her future any longer.

With one last look around the sparse apartment, Jade squared her shoulders. She wasn't coming back. Her life, whatever it would be after this, would start fresh somewhere new. She just had to hope that somewhere in the process, she could forget about Tori Vega and the kiss that had turned her world upside down—again.

Stepping outside, Jade met the driver with a calm, determined expression, her head held high. She may have been shaken, but she wasn't broken. She was ready for this new chapter, whatever it might bring.

No more looking back.


Alex leaned back in her chair, her eyes glued to the monitors in front of her as the various feeds from the pods streamed in. Each contestant had been carefully sequestered in their own apartment—luxurious, fully furnished, and stocked with everything they could need for the duration of the dating phase of the show. The production team called these pods, but really, they were plush one-bedroom apartments designed to be comfortable, yet isolating, for the experience.

Each pod was extravagant by reality TV standards—designed to impress not only the contestants but also the viewers. The walls were rich in color, the furniture soft and inviting. There was a comfortable seating area with a large, plush couch near the intercom system embedded into the wall. This would be where the contestants would sit, day after day, connecting with their potential partners through the intercom without ever laying eyes on them.

It was luxurious, yes, but still an isolating experience, cut off from the outside world with no phones, no contact—just their thoughts, their hopes, and the person on the other end of that intercom.

Alex watched each feed closely, but her attention was laser-focused on one in particular—Jade West's pod. Jade was her assigned contestant, and from the moment she'd watched her audition tape, Alex knew this woman was going to be one to keep an eye on. Jade was sharp, edgy, and confident—traits that would make her both a wild card and a strong contender for some real connection.

As Jade's car approached the building, Alex felt her pulse quicken. She couldn't wait to meet her in person and see how Jade would adapt to this world, this seclusion. There was a spark in her that Alex found fascinating, and she couldn't help but wonder what was lurking beneath Jade's tough exterior.

She was monitoring the live feed as the car pulled up to the entrance. Jade stepped out, looking every bit the confident, rock-chic persona she had presented in her interviews—leather pants, a lace top, and her signature attitude. But something about her movements was a bit slower today, like she was holding back or processing something. Alex noticed the small hesitation before Jade finally put her sunglasses on and walked toward the entrance.

Alex immediately grabbed her jacket and rushed out to meet her. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow across the front of the building. She spotted Jade, who stood at the entrance, taking in her surroundings, as if assessing what she was getting herself into.

"Jade West," Alex greeted warmly, offering a hand. "I'm Alex, your producer for this part of the journey."

Jade gave a slight nod, her lips curving into a small smile as she shook Alex's hand. "So, you're the one babysitting me?" she asked, her tone casual but with a hint of amusement.

Alex chuckled, unfazed by the remark. "More like guiding you. I'm here to make sure everything goes smoothly. And to make sure you're comfortable."

"Comfortable, huh?" Jade's gaze shifted to the building. "So this is where I'm going to spend the next however many weeks?"

"That's right. It's more than comfortable—it's extravagant," Alex replied, her voice holding a note of excitement. "And once you're inside, you'll have everything you need, including the space to get to know your future love."

Jade raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "We'll see about that."

With a wave, Alex motioned toward the door. "Come on, let me show you to your pod."

They walked through the front doors, the sound of their footsteps echoing down the quiet, pristine hallway lined with other contestants' apartments. The hallway itself was sleek and modern, but the real luxury was inside the pods, designed to pamper and put the contestants in the right frame of mind to focus on the experience.

They reached Jade's pod, and Alex paused in front of the door. "This is it," she said, turning to face her. "Once you step inside, you'll be fully immersed in the dating phase. No contact with the outside world. It'll just be you, the intercom, and the other contestants on the other end. You won't see anyone until you make a strong enough connection to move to the next phase."

Jade nodded, looking at the door with a mixture of curiosity and something else—a flicker of unease, perhaps. "And the cameras?" she asked, glancing around as though already feeling their watchful presence.

"Every room is monitored," Alex confirmed, not bothering to sugarcoat it. "It's reality TV, after all. But it's designed to give you space to be yourself. The cameras are here to capture the real, raw moments of connection."

Jade's lips twitched into a half-smirk. "Right. Nothing's more real than a 24-hour surveillance feed."

Alex smiled, appreciating Jade's dry humor. "You'd be surprised. Once you're inside, you'll forget they're even there."

Jade gave a noncommittal shrug. "Guess we'll see."

Alex opened the door to reveal Jade's pod—an extravagant one-bedroom apartment that was a far cry from the standard cramped quarters one might expect on a dating show. The living area was plush, with a large couch covered in rich fabric, a soft rug underfoot, and the kind of designer touches that made the space feel like a high-end retreat. A table in the corner was stocked with snacks, drinks, and everything Jade would need to feel comfortable during her stay. The intercom was embedded in the wall next to the couch—a sleek, silver device that would be her lifeline to the other contestants.

Jade took a few steps inside, surveying the room with a critical eye. "Nice digs," she said, her tone neutral but impressed.

Alex smiled. "We do our best. You're going to be spending a lot of time in here, so we want you to feel at home."

Jade nodded, finally setting her bag down on the floor. She ran a hand along the back of the couch, her fingers trailing over the soft fabric. "So, this is where it all happens, huh?"

"This is where it all starts," Alex corrected. "Love, connection, heartbreak—everything starts here."

Jade raised an eyebrow. "You really believe people fall in love through an intercom?"

"I believe people fall in love soul first," Alex replied, her voice filled with quiet conviction. "And this is your chance to prove me right."

For a moment, Jade didn't say anything, just looked at the intercom on the wall, her expression unreadable. Then she turned back to Alex, her mouth twisting into a wry smile. "Guess we'll find out."

Alex nodded, stepping back toward the door. "I'll leave you to get settled. But remember—everything starts here."

With that, she left Jade alone in the apartment, shutting the door softly behind her. As she walked back down the hallway, Alex couldn't help but smile. Jade West was going to be an interesting one to watch, and Alex had a feeling that something real—something *big*—was about to unfold in that pod.

Big Sister was watching, and Alex couldn't wait to see it all play out.


Tori stepped into her assigned pod, her breath catching in her throat as she took in the space around her. The soft purples and crisp whites of the decor created a serene, almost ethereal atmosphere. Everything felt plush, from the deep, inviting couch to the thick carpet beneath her feet. The scent of lavender drifted through the air, calming her nerves and momentarily distracting her from the gravity of what she was about to do.

It was like stepping into a luxury spa—far from the cramped quarters of her New York apartment, which was a shoe box by comparison. Here, she could breathe, relax… but she was under no illusion. She knew this wasn't going to be a vacation. It was all a setup for the show's experiment.

As she walked through the one-bedroom apartment, she spotted a silver platter on the counter. A letter rested on top. She picked it up and started reading, her brow furrowing slightly.

"Dear Contestants," she began aloud, her voice bouncing off the pristine walls. "*Just Say I Do* is a new matchmaking reality show that combines the best elements of your favorite dating shows. Here, we believe that true love begins with the soul... not appearances."

Tori bit her lip, intrigued but skeptical.

"Some of you may find the love of your life in these habitats we call pods," she continued, her eyes scanning the carefully chosen words. "Some of you will find the best friend you ever had. Either way, the connections you form here will be organic, without outside interference. You won't leave your apartment until the day you say 'I do.'"

She sighed, sinking into the plush purple couch and mulling over the show's format. It was unconventional, sure, but she liked the idea of no distractions—just real conversations, no phones, no Instagram, no carefully curated personas. Maybe this was exactly what she needed to find something real.

"Interesting," she murmured to herself, her mind already whirring with possibilities.

Across the hall, in another pod, Jade stood at the door to her own apartment. The space was starkly different from Tori's. The room was bathed in hues of black and red, sleek and modern, with sharp, clean lines that exuded an air of mystery and sophistication. The scent of mahogany and jasmine filled the air, heightening the space's sultry atmosphere.

Jade's eyes landed on the silver platter on her kitchen counter, the same letter sitting atop it. She picked it up and read it aloud, her voice laced with the usual hint of sarcasm.

"Dear Contestants... *Just Say I Do*... blah, blah, blah… find love in these 'habitats' we call pods," she recited, rolling her eyes as she hit the word "habitats." She wasn't here to fall for some forced, scripted nonsense. Still, she was intrigued—though she'd never admit it.

She read on, her voice trailing off as she reached the next part: "After the speed dates, you'll be linked with another contestant of your choice so that you may continue your chats by text throughout the night... but only if they also pick you."

Jade groaned, tossing the letter onto the counter with a soft *thwack.* "Great," she muttered, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "Another popularity contest."

She glanced around the room, eyes catching the sleek voice-activated devices strategically placed throughout her apartment. One in the living room, another in the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom—all reminders that she was being watched 24/7.

"Well, at least they're consistent," she said, shaking her head as she moved toward the couch, tossing her jacket over a nearby bar stool.

She wasn't sure if she believed in love through an intercom, but the thrill of the game kept her in line. She wasn't here to break protocol. No way. Jade West didn't crack. But that didn't mean she'd play nice either.

Tori, sitting in her own pod, ran a hand through her hair, feeling a knot of uncertainty form in her stomach. Her eyes drifted to the four screens scattered around the room. Each one served a specific purpose: for announcements, messages, and, of course, monitoring their every move.

"Oh, okay... totally makes sense," she muttered sarcastically, standing up and pacing. Her mind was running circles, and she hadn't even started yet.

She glanced toward the screen again as it flickered to life, her intro video playing out on the monitor. Tori cringed as her face appeared on the screen, all smiles and rehearsed lines.

"Hi, I'm Tori," her own voice rang out through the room, bright and peppy. "I'm a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California by way of New York..."

The video continued, but Tori barely heard it. She was too busy wincing at the awkwardness of it all, at the fake smile she plastered on her face, and the name she had chosen—*Shelby.* She had figured using her sister's name would somehow help her remain anonymous, but now she couldn't stop berating herself for the choice.

"What the fuck was I thinking?" she muttered, shaking her head and walking away from the screen, eager to escape her past self's awkwardness.

Across the hall, Jade tapped the screen in her own pod, activating her intro video. With a resigned sigh, she watched as her own face appeared on the screen.

"Hey, I'm Jade," her voice said, cool and confident. "I'm a filmmaker and actress from LA... but on this show, I'm going by *Gigi* because, let's be real, it's a badass name."

Jade rolled her eyes at her own words, feeling the cringe settle in. "Who the hell even says stuff like that?" she muttered, sinking into the sleek leather couch.

The room was everything she'd ever wanted—sleek, modern, luxurious—but as the reality of the situation set in, Jade couldn't help but feel a pang of vulnerability. For all her bravado, for all the confidence she wore like armor, this—being truly seen, heard, and judged—left her feeling more exposed than ever.

Was it worth it? Could love even exist in a place like this?

She closed her eyes for a moment, her mind drifting to the past. To the kiss with Tori. To the moment on the sidewalk when she'd been left standing there, wondering what it all meant.

No, she wouldn't let herself go there. Not now. She was here to play the game. She would follow the rules. She would keep her edge. But deep down, as she lay back on the couch, a small voice inside her whispered one question she couldn't shake:

What if?*

Tori paced in her apartment, staring at the intercom, feeling the weight of the game sinking in. Like Jade, she was determined to see this through. But neither woman could shake the feeling that the real game wasn't the one being played on TV—it was the one they were playing with themselves.