Summer's POV
By day two, Summer Hayes had learned three things about island life:
1. Sand gets everywhere.
2. Coconut water is not a balanced breakfast.
3. Ethan Reid looks annoyingly good when he's sweating.
"Stop staring," he said without looking up.
"I'm not staring," she lied quickly, adjusting her sunglasses. "I'm observing. For science."
"Sure," he said, smiling faintly as he chopped at a coconut with the dull knife. "Science of what, exactly?"
"The science of your questionable survival techniques."
He grinned. "Then prepare to be amazed."
The knife slipped, the coconut flew, and both of them ducked as it bounced off a tree and landed with a hollow thunk.
Summer blinked. "Wow. Truly amazing."
"Just testing gravity," he said.
"Gravity's doing fine without your help."
The camera drone zoomed in, catching every second of their chaos. Somewhere, the editor was probably adding cartoon sound effects.
---
A few hours later, the host's voice echoed across the beach:
"Contestants! Today's mini-challenge: gather five coconuts from the northern grove before sunset. Fastest team wins dinner!"
Summer groaned. "Dinner? Actual dinner? Not leaves?"
Ethan chuckled. "Motivated now, aren't we?"
"Food is the ultimate motivation."
---
The "northern grove" was farther than it sounded. The sand burned their feet, and mosquitoes followed like paparazzi. Summer held a bamboo stick like a sword.
"If one more bug lands on me, I'm filing a complaint," she muttered.
"To who?" Ethan asked. "The coconuts?"
"To the producers. They can send a helicopter."
He laughed. "You're adorable when you're dramatic."
She shot him a look. "Careful. I might use this stick."
---
By the time they found the grove, the sun was high and the coconuts were hanging mockingly high above.
"Okay," Summer said, hands on hips. "How do we get those?"
Ethan squinted up at the tree. "Climb."
"You climb," she said immediately.
He looked at her. "Why me?"
"You have longer legs and an inflated ego. Both useful for climbing."
He sighed. "You owe me for this."
"Fine. I'll name the next coconut after you."
---
Ethan's POV
He climbed carefully, the rough bark scraping his hands. Below, Summer stood shading her eyes, muttering encouragement like a sarcastic coach.
"Don't fall! If you die, I'll have to explain it in the interview."
He laughed breathlessly. "Touching concern."
"Also, I don't want to build another shelter alone."
"Ah. There's the truth."
He shook a coconut loose and tossed it down. It landed safely—then rolled straight into the water.
Summer screamed, half laughing, half horrified. "That's our dinner swimming away!"
Ethan looked down, grinning. "You could've caught it."
"With what, my hopes and dreams?"
He shook his head, amused, and climbed higher. By the time he dropped the fifth coconut, they were both sweating, exhausted, and laughing so hard it barely felt like work.
---
Summer's POV
When they trudged back to camp, five coconuts in hand, the host announced, "Team Ethan and Summer—first place again!"
Summer whooped, high-fiving Ethan before she remembered herself. "Wait, what's our prize this time?"
The assistant handed over a small cooler. "Dinner for two."
Inside was instant noodles, a packet of seasoning, and—miracle of miracles—two chocolate bars.
Summer gasped dramatically. "Luxury!"
Ethan smirked. "We should frame the chocolate."
"Or eat it before someone steals it."
They sat by the fire, sharing noodles straight from the pot. The cameras had retreated for the night, leaving only the quiet of waves and crackling wood.
Summer looked at him across the firelight. "You're not as terrible at this as I expected."
He raised an eyebrow. "High praise."
"I'm serious. You're… decent company."
"That almost sounds like a compliment."
"Don't get used to it."
He smiled, and for a moment, the air between them softened—less sharp, more familiar.
---
Later that night, when the episode aired online, the internet exploded.
#TeamEthanSummer trended within an hour. Fans clipped moments of them laughing, teasing, and the accidental high-five. Someone even added romantic background music.
The comments poured in:
> "They still have chemistry omg."
"Reunited AND adorable??"
"Ship it. Ship it forever."
Summer's manager texted her at midnight:
"Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. The audience LOVES you two."
She sighed, staring at the message under the dim lantern light.
Across from her, Ethan was already asleep, his face relaxed, peaceful.
Summer whispered to herself, "Yeah… that's the problem."