After the final reveal, Jalisa and Merlin travel to Selvadorado for their prize…a three day, two-night vacation.
Merlin: I can’t believe that I get to be here with you, but it almost feels like we’ll still have to say goodbye after the trip is over.
Jalisa: We don’t ever have to say goodbye.
Merlin pulls Jalisa into his arms…
Merlin: Should we check out the bungalow?
Jalisa: I have a feeling that if we go in…we won’t be coming out for a while. Maybe we should go and get something to eat first.
Merlin: You’re probably right. Let’s see what Selvadorado has to offer.
They make the trip to the busier part of the town…the marketplace. There is one food stand and one restaurant in the whole area.
Merlin: *chooses the restaurant* Let’s hope the food is good because there’s nowhere else to go.
Merlin steps up to the host to request a table.
At their table, Merlin and Jalisa look at the menu.
Merlin: I don’t know how to pronounce any of this. I’m happy to see a lot of vegetarian choices, though. How about you?
Jalisa: I can pronounce most of it.
Merlin: Then I’ll leave the ordering up to you.
The waitress steps over and introduces herself as Prisha. Jalisa answers in the local native language. Prisha smiles and answers back in a more rapid version of it. Jalisa takes out the menu and orders for herself and Merlin expertly. After Prisha has taken their order and left…
Merlin: You speak the language. I’m impressed…that is incredibly sexy.
Jalisa loves being complimented but waves it off.
Jalisa: Thank you! I took a language class or two in school. I’m nowhere close to being fluent.
Merlin: You’re a lot further along than I am…believe me.
Merlin steers the conversation in a different direction…
Merlin: I saw the way you and Nate held each other there in the end. You gave up a lot to be here with me.
Jalisa: I gained more.
Merlin: Did you?
Jalisa: Yes. I didn’t make this decision lightly.
Merlin: But I know how much he meant to you.
Jalisa: But do you know how much you mean to me?
Merlin: Yeah, but still…it couldn’t have been an easy decision.
Jalisa: It was when I asked myself the right question. Instead of asking who I wanted to be with, I just asked who I couldn’t live without…and that’s you. It was always you.
Merlin: I’m a fortunate man. I could never have imagined loving anyone the way I love you!
Jalisa: Same here…I love you too, Merlin.
Prisha arrives with their food. Jalisa ordered Baleada for Merlin and Feijoada for herself and Horchatas for both of them.
Merlin: It’s so weird to see you and touch you. I mean…you’re still you, but I feel like I’m getting to know you all over again. You are flawlessly beautiful…I feel like I’m in a dream.
Jalisa: Thank you. It’s the same for me. Before I could only imagine what you’d look like, but now that I see you…I know that I lack imagination because I didn’t even get close to how attractive you are. I can’t wait to see the rest of you…
At that…they both take a big swig of their drinks. Getting back to the bungalow is all they can think about for a while. But they still have a meal to finish, so they attempt to return the conversation to less flirty arenas.
Jalisa: So…we’ll be living in Newcrest after this. How do you feel about that?
Merlin: Excited. Being there during this challenge has been fun. I like it there, and I can’t wait to explore it more with you.
Jalisa: So…you’re okay with leaving the country for the suburbs.
Merlin: I haven’t been a small-town boy for a while. After high school, I left Brindleton Bay and never really looked back. My line of work isn’t really popular there. If anything…it’s where people tend to go to retire. My business will thrive in Newcrest.
Jalisa: We’ll both thrive there. I can already see it.
Merlin: I can too.
Jalisa blows Merlin a kiss.
Jalisa: The food is great here, but… *flirty tone* I’m ready to go.
Merlin: Back to the bungalow? Now?
Jalisa: Right now…
Merlin and Jalisa finish their food so quickly that they almost choke.
Merlin: Check please!
They’ve both been waiting for this moment for a long time. Merlin is slightly nervous hoping that he’s not too anxious. He’d hate to disappoint Jalisa during their time together. As soon as they get outside, they’re all over each other and any fears that he may have had melts away.
They make it back to the bungalow, but there’s no time for a tour of the place. They head straight for the bedroom and practically attack each other with desperate kisses. Merlin struggles, trying to remove her top.
Merlin: How do I get it off?
Jalisa: I’ve got it…
Jalisa takes time to strip down to her underwear. Merlin does the same. They slow down a bit as he turns her around and kisses her bare shoulder.
Merlin: *whispers in her ear* I’ve never wanted anything or anyone as much as I want you right now…but I want to savor this.
Jalisa: *moans* So do I.
They move over to the bed and spend the rest of the night making up for all the times they imagined this moment, while costumed, but couldn’t do anything about it.
(Note: Poses by Merlin’s creator @wabadebadooblr)
To be continued…
28 Blind Date Summaries | read from the beginning
