92. Michael

MICHAEL

“ H ello and welcome to Second Bite ,” Joey says to the cameras. “We’re on day two of our Celebrity New Year’s Special. If you tuned in yesterday, you got to meet our contestants—Drake Daniels, Colby Canterbury, Zelle, and Amber Addison.”

I can’t even hear her name without feeling anger well inside me.

The producers all played dumb last night. Claiming they didn’t know of the history between us, that casting had approved her application and they didn’t think twice about it.

I mostly believe them. Though I’ll keep digging.

At least my private investigator is competent.

He tracked down where the photo email originated from, and I can’t say I’m surprised the location was Bear Cove, the town where the images were taken. So he’s heading there today, and by tomorrow evening, I should know if it was someone working on their own, or if they were put up to the task.

“For today’s challenge, you all must make a New Year’s inspired ice cream dessert. Your dish must have?—”

The static in my brain drowns out whatever Joey says next.

It’s not supposed to be ice cream.

It’s supposed to be cheesecake.

We did ice cream in the last special.

My eyes move to the back corner workstation.

To Amber.

She’s looking right back at me, and the smile on her face might look casual to someone else, but I know her moods. She’s up to something. And I have a feeling I know what that something is.

I just need Alice to hold her composure because I’m not sure I’ll be able to.