From the moment Tara appeared in Paradise talking about her profuse sweating problem, I just knew we’d be best friends. I already had a lot of time for her – I mean, who wouldn’t love a woman who eats sausages like this (below) – but she’s just been a delight to watch these past few weeks.
What I DIDN’T expect, was to also fall in love with her could-be-should-be squeeze, Sam. I’ve bagged him out in previous posts, saying he was only on Love Island for comedic value and that comb-over (which I still think is patently ridiculous, FYI, but now more in an endearing sort of a way).
But turns out I’m into him too – and so is Tara!
I honestly don’t know what to think about this unexpected pairing.
But maybe I think – possibly – that their budding romance is the single best thing to happen to this series of Bach in Paradise.
For a few days now those two have been growing closer – ever since a “twist of fate” saw Keira and Michael go off on their awks date, leaving the two class clowns alone on a banana lounger to be each other’s “rebounds.”
I don’t reckon either of them thought they’d seriously be into one another. But there you are – all it took was a couple of mojitos poolside for a beautiful love story to bloom.
Fast forward to Sunday night and – be still my beating heart – they’ve been on their first date! And they’ve made each other ‘signature’ cocktails (‘Acquired Taste’ for him – because, obvs – and ‘Fresh and Fruity’ for her – also because, obvs)! And they’ve shared a kiss!
And for real – it was the loveliest, non-cheesiest, most sincere moment of delightfulness we’ve had on this cynical boink fest, yet.
So many of those Bachelor in Paradise first dates seem contrived. So many of those first kisses look awful (Blake and Laurina, we’re looking at you two). But those two just looked so comfortable together. They might have both said they felt like, “Two school girls freaking out” – but you couldn’t tell.
Cut to them being interviewed by producers, and they also looked genuinely sincere. No funny gags. No ‘just jokes’. No asides to the camera. Just two people genuinely excited to have shared their first kiss – and both liked it.
Maybe it was that croony Fijian singing. Maybe it was the torchlight. Maybe it was the fact they’d both drunk muddled rocket fuel with a twist of lime, but correct me if I’m wrong – it totally looked like love, right?
And we are all SO there for that.