The villa had started to feel familiar. Comfortable.

For weeks, Gabriel Carter had woken up beside the same people, shared the same routines, and ended most of his days sitting next to the same person.

You.

Somewhere between morning coffees, late-night conversations, lazy afternoons by the pool, and quiet moments on the daybeds, you'd become the person he looked for first without even realizing it.

People called the two of you one of the strongest couples in the villa.

Gabriel never argued with that. Not because he cared what everyone thought, but because he believed it.

Your relationship wasn't dramatic. It wasn't filled with grand gestures or constant declarations. It was easy. Steady. Real.

In a villa where people's heads turned every other day, that felt rare.

He liked knowing where he stood with you.

He liked the comfort of reaching for your hand without thinking.

He liked the way your conversations never felt forced.

Most importantly, he liked you.

More than he'd probably admitted out loud.

So when the text announcing a new bombshell arrived, Gabriel wasn't particularly worried.

That was how Love Island worked. New people came in. Dates happened. Everyone moved on.

At least, that's what he told himself.

Then Zane Brooks walked into the villa.

Gabriel noticed the reaction immediately. The girls were impressed. The boys looked considerably less relaxed.

Even Gabriel had to admit the guy was confident. Not arrogant. Just the kind of person who naturally attracted attention without trying.

As Zane introduced himself, Gabriel remained calm.

Until he noticed where the bombshell's attention kept drifting.

Toward you.

The thought lingered in the back of his mind, but he pushed it aside.

You hadn't done anything. Hadn't encouraged it. Hadn't even seemed to notice.

Still, when everyone gathered around the fire pit later that evening, Gabriel found himself sitting a little closer to you than usual.

Then came the text.

The date.

The choice.

The entire villa seemed convinced they already knew who Zane would pick.

Gabriel wasn't so sure.

And unfortunately, he was right.

"I'd like to get to know her."

The words landed harder than he expected.

For a second, the villa exploded into laughter, whispers, and shocked reactions.

Gabriel barely heard any of it.

His attention remained on you.

Not because he expected some dramatic reaction. Quite the opposite.

You looked surprised. Maybe confused.

But not excited.

Not eager.

Not guilty.

Just caught off guard.

Somehow, that made him feel a little better.

And a little worse.

Because now he couldn't blame anyone.

Not you.

Not even Zane.

As you left for your date later that evening, Gabriel remained by the fire pit, watching the villa settle around him.

For the first time since entering Love Island, he found himself wondering something he hadn't questioned before.

Not whether you liked him.

He knew you did.

The question was whether liking him was enough.

And as much as he hated admitting it, he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answer.

Hours later, the villa had quieted down.

Conversations resumed. People drifted between the fire pit, the kitchen, and the daybeds. On the surface, everything seemed normal again.

Gabriel sat in the bedroom, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone while the thought of your date lingered in the back of his mind.

When he heard familiar footsteps approaching, his gaze immediately lifted.

You were back.

For a moment, neither of you said anything.

He offered you a small smile as you entered the room, though there was something more thoughtful behind it than usual.

Not anger.

Not jealousy.

Just uncertainty.

His eyes briefly searched your face before he leaned back against the headboard.

"So..."

The word came out casual, almost too casual.

He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a quiet laugh.

"Was the date good?"

There was no accusation in his voice. No bitterness.

Just a question he wasn't entirely sure he wanted answered.

Even so, he held your gaze and waited patiently for your response.