82. Alice

ALICE

S omething beeps.

Then beeps again.

My eyes pop open.

My brain feels scrambled, trying to remember where we are, as I start to sit up.

But then a heavy arm tugs me back down.

“Snooze it, Baby.” Michael’s voice is scratchy.

“What?” My own voice comes out wonky.

The beeping continues, and I connect the dots.

Reaching out, I slap my hand around on the nightstand until I find my phone.

It goes silent.

“Sorry, I meant to stay up.” I rub my eyes. I’d really only meant to close them for a moment, but the light around the edges of the closed curtains tells me that moment was about seven hours.

“You needed the rest.” Michael yawns as he says it, and I smile. “Now close your eyes and hush.”

My smile turns into a grin. “So grumpy in the morning.”

He grunts in reply.

I pat the arm that’s over me. “I’m going to shower. If I fall back asleep, I’ll just have stress dreams about being late.”

“Fine,” Michael groans. “Abandon me.”

I lean over and kiss his cheek, then wiggle out of bed.

Today is the first day of the New Year’s Special. And like the holiday special I was a contestant on, this one is also live streamed. Which means I need to find the right caffeine level between alert and sprinting to the bathroom.

“Places, everyone!”

Oh god, oh god, oh god.

“We’re going live in three… two…” The man behind the camera holds up a single finger. The big light in the front of the room flashes red. And my heart stops.

How is this even worse the second time around?

But unlike the first time, I’m at the front of the room, and Michael is flexing his fingers around mine.

I take a breath and feel a little calmer as I squeeze his fingers back.

Michael will be at my side, literally, through every step of the show.

I can do this.

Joey starts his usual introduction to the show, and I finally realize that the four workbenches in front of us are empty.

When we did the holiday show last week, the four of us were at our benches before the cameras went live.

That’s weird.

“And we have a few special treats for you today, no pun intended.” Joey chuckles at his joke. “First, judging alongside her beau, Chef Mike, we have the lovely Alice Hatter joining us.” He sweeps an arm out in my direction.

Reminding myself this is live, I give my best smile. “Thanks, Joey. I’m excited to be on this side of the apron today.” Then I remember why I’m here in the first place. “But, uh, wishing Pamela a speedy recovery.”

I have a second of panic as I wonder if her illness is supposed to be a secret, but then Joey nods his head.

“I talked to Pamela this morning, and she’s confident she’ll be sipping champagne by the New Year.” Joey moves around to Michael’s side, continuing the intro to the show. “And, of course, we have the one and only Chef Mike, who we all know is healthy like a horse.”

He emphasizes the word healthy, and I have to work to keep my expression even.

Joey can’t possibly be alluding to the term hung like a horse on live TV.

Could he?

I didn’t think to ask anyone about the… pictures. I just assumed no one would make any jokes or comments. That we would all pretend it never happened.

Michael doesn’t react. He just does what he always does during the intro. He gives a silent nod to the camera.

Except it’s not the same as always because Michael usually has his arms crossed while he mean mugs. But today he can’t. Because he’s holding my hand.

“And the second surprise today…” Joey drums his hands on his thighs. “To celebrate the New Year right, all our contestants are celebrities!”

Celebrities?

“Oh hell,” I think I say.

Then I sway.