“Well, on the bright side, I’ve never known someone to barf and have as nice of breath as you do right now,” Eli said, tapping my nose. “I’d still kiss you.”
“Gross, bru,” Palmer said, wrinkling his nose. I didn’t miss how he kept that grimace in place as he watched Gisella maul Finn.
Everyone laughed as the cabs pulled up to the curb. We piled in, ready to head back to the boat and call it a night.
My mind whirled the entire way, the alcohol working to actively erase my memory of what was said between us before I could even properly digest it.
I was still uneasy when we got back to the boat, and while everyone else was getting changed to go to the hot tub, I just needed to be alone.
I grabbed my phone charger, toothbrush, and something to sleep in before retreating to a guest cabin.
But it didn’t matter what I was wearing.
I wouldn’t sleep a wink that night.
POST-PRODUCTION CONFESSIONAL
CLOSE QUARTERS
SEASON 4
FINN PEARSON: HEAD CHEF
PRODUCER
So, the editing crew would like to have some talking head footage from you for episode four just kind of explaining your love of cooking, how you came into it, why you love it so much. Sound good?
Finn gives thumbs up.
PRODUCER
Great. So, you already told us a little bit about how cooking has been your love language since you were a child. How did it all begin?
FINN
I fell in love with cooking when I was about five, I think. After me grandad passed, me granny moved in with us. We didn’t have a lot when it came to food, but somehow, she always whipped up themost magical meals. Nothing against me ma or da, but cooking was never their strong point. We got by, we ate grand, but with Granny? We ate like bloody royalty. I started offering to help — mostly because I wanted to spend more time with her — and from the start, she treated me like I was capable. She didn’t hand me some daft little job just to keep me busy. She showed me how to hold a knife proper, how to dice onions without crying all over them, how to thicken up a sauce when it was too watery, or stretch a meal when there wasn’t enough to go round. At first, it was just fun. But soon, it became an obsession. I loved making delicious meals from scratch. I loved hearing the praise when I got something right. I don’t feel confident many places… but I’m at home in the kitchen.
PRODUCER
Beautiful, Finn. We find it really fascinating that you use the specific term of food being your love language. In a previous interview, you said, “I don’t think there’s a better way to show you love someone than by cooking for them.” Can you explain that a bit?
FINN
It’s intimate, isn’t it? Cooking, baking, all of it… It takes creativity, thought, energy, and time. When you cook for someone, you’re not just feeding them — you’re saying, I see you. You’re thinking about what they love, what’ll make them smile, what reminds them of home. It’s not just picking out a card at a grocery store or ordering some flowers that someone else arranges and delivers. It’s personal. WhenI cook for the guests, it’s my job, sure, but it’s also me making this the vacation of a lifetime.
PRODUCER
And when you cook for your family, or your friends?
FINN
Ah, it’s even more special then. Feels like a proper love letter, doesn’t it? It’s like putting the kettle on when someone’s had a shite day, or warming their coat for them before they head out into the rain. It’s a small thing, but it says,I care. I’m thinking of you. It’s comfort, it’s celebration, it’s even a way to say sorry when words won’t come. In my family, we’re not the best at talking feelings out — but you know you’re forgiven when a plate of your favorite biscuits lands in front of you.
PRODUCER
Would you say you quite literally use food to declare your love, then?
FINN