Page 60 of The Baking Games

"Not very long," I say. "I just woke up. It's hard to sleep with chainsaw Maggie over there."

She laughs. At least she's laughing. At least maybe she's not so mad at me about last night. I think I was definitely the one leaning in, but she was leaning too, and there's been far too much talk of leaning. It's ridiculous. We're grown-ups. Why can't we just say we were about to kiss? I'm not saying it, but maybe she will.

"Yeah, she's kind of loud. Imagine sleeping in here with her every night, and Lainey, who talks in her sleep, always about herself."

I smile. "I can see that. I hate to have to move back to my room and leave you with that."

"Yeah. It's super fun to hear her give makeup tips in the middle of the night."

"Well, she shouldn't be giving makeup tips unless it's how to wear too much makeup. I swear, sometimes I think her face will crack, and everything will fall straight to the ground. The only thing holding it on her face are those giant fake eyelashes that she wears. How many pairs is she wearing at one time?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm just more natural, for better or for worse."

"It's for better," I say without thinking.

"I guess we should get up and start our day," she laughs nervously.

"Yeah, definitely. I'll call the producer to disconnect us so we can get ready. I think we have some kind of an outing we're doing today."

"Yeah, something to distract us from the main challenge coming up."

"Are you nervous?" I ask as we both sit up and face each other.

"I'm always nervous, Rhett."

“You shouldn't be. You're very talented if I've never told you."

"Yeah, I don't think you've ever told me," she says.

"Well, you are, but sometimes I think you psych yourself out. You don't need to do that. You have the skills, Sunny. You just need to use them and be confident in yourself."

“Maybe some of your confidence can wear off on me."

"You don't want this kind of confidence."

"Why not?"

"It's fake confidence, I guess you'd say. I have to really wind myself up to feel like I can do hard things.”

"Well, you seem confident. Let's at least say that."

"I'm sure I do."

"I guess we should call the producer then."

"Yes, of course."

SAVANNAH

We get dressed and head downstairs, where the producers have again called us together. I assume we have another public service day, although I'm unsure what it would be.

Things between Rhett and I seem a little bit strange. I'm not sure exactly what to make of it. I still don't know if he's playing the game of fake relationships or if he’s trying to express his real feelings for me; that would seem very out of character for Rhett. I don't think he has true feelings for me.

Maybe he's just bored in the house or trying to convince the audience that we're falling in love so he can get further in the game. Whatever it is, I'm not falling for it. I have to stay focused. It's very important that I get to the end and at least give myself a chance to win that money for me and my sister.

I've allowed myself to start dreaming about opening a bakery, about all the things that could happen if I got my hands on that kind of cash. I found in my life that dreaming is dangerous. Allowing myself to think that things can get so much better can be heartbreaking in the end. But for some reason, I have nothing else to do in this house but think about it.

Maybe I could try manifesting it. I've never tried anything like that before, but I've read and heard about the law of attraction. Maybe it works. If I think about it and pretend I already have it, I'll win it. I don't know. At this point, I would do just about anything to win this competition.

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