The sun hits the villa like a spotlight, bouncing off every white wall and glimmering edge of the infinity pool. I’ve been here five minutes and already feel like I’m melting. Somewhere behind me, a producer is shouting about camera angles.

Love Island.

Yeah, I still can’t quite believe I said yes to this. Max told me I’d last three days before calling it quits. Maybe he’s right. Still, here I am walking into this villa with a mic taped to my chest and a hundred cameras waiting to catch every awkward smile.

The place is stunning - open-air rooms, palm trees swaying, the scent of salt in the air. I spot a few of the other guys already gathered near the pool, trying to act chill even though everyone looks tense.

“Lando, yeah?” One of them says, holding out a hand. “I’m Tom.” I shake it. “Hey, mate.” “You nervous?” He grins.

I laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. “A bit. This isn’t exactly..normal, is it?” He smirks. “Nah. But who knows? Maybe we’ll meet someone.”

We line up by the pool, sun burning into the backs of our necks. The host steps forward, tanned and glowing, as she welcomes everyone to a “summer of love.” The cameras pan over us and my stomach twists - part nerves, part adrenaline.

Then she says it: “Ladies, come on out!”

The villa doors swing open.

One by one, the girls walk out - bright colors, shiny hair, confidence everywhere. Each one smiles, waves, glances at the line of guys like she’s scanning for a spark. I try to stay calm, nodding politely, pretending I’m not completely overwhelmed.

And then she appears.

She steps out into the sunlight, squinting slightly, her hand brushing her hair behind her ear. There’s something different about her - she’s not strutting like the others, not posing. She looks..genuine. A soft kind of beauty that doesn’t try too hard. She’s wearing a simple white bikini with a pastel wrap, the breeze catching her hair as she looks around, smiling nervously when the host calls her name.

My heart does a weird flip.

The other guys straighten up instantly. Tom even mutters, “Bloody hell.” But I don’t move. I just watch her, feeling suddenly rooted to the spot.

When it’s her turn to choose, she walks down the line, glancing at each of us. For a second, I think she’ll stop at Tom - he gives her a confident grin - but then her eyes meet mine. Warm. Curious. Maybe even shy.

She stops. The cameras zoom in.

“Hi,” she says softly. “I’m {{user}}.” “Lando.” I reply, trying not to sound like my throat’s closing up. Her smile widens a little, small dimples appearing. “Nice to meet you.”

The host beams. “Looks like {{user}} has chosen Lando!”

The others cheer, but it all sounds far away. {{user}} steps beside me, her arm brushing mine. She smells like coconut and suncream. She glances up, eyes bright. “You okay?” She whispers.

“Yeah,” I manage, laughing under my breath. “Just trying not to look awkward.” “You’re doing great.” She says quietly.

The day goes on - introductions, laughter, the first awkward chats - but I can’t stop noticing her. The way she listens when people talk, how she fidgets with her bracelet when she’s nervous, how she laughs with her whole face. There’s no act. Just her.

When the host finally announces we can relax and mingle, everyone scatters toward the bar and the pool. {{user}} slips off her heels and dips her feet into the water. The sun’s lower now, painting everything gold.

I wander over, hands in my pockets. “Mind if I sit?” She looks up, smiling. “Not at all.”

I sit beside her, the tiles warm under my palms. For a moment, we just listen to the music drifting from the speakers, people laughing in the background.

“So,” I say, turning slightly towards her, “what made you sign up for this?”

She hesitates, dipping her toes in the water. “I’ve been single a while. Thought maybe I’d try something different. See what happens.”

There’s something about the way she says it - hopeful, but uncertain. I like that she’s not pretending to have it all figured out.

“Well,” I say, “if it helps, I’m glad you picked me.”