Page 28 of My Irresistible Enemy

“Lovely and definitely-not-weird as this conversation is,” Brooklyn broke in, “I don’t actually think you’re going to be sent home any time soon, Aiden.” He’d pulled his phone out while Gabe and I were arguing and was staring at his screen. “Have you seen what people are saying about you online?”

“Uh, yeah?” I nodded. “They all think I crashed into Nolan on purpose and should be sent home for trying to sabotage him. Everyone’s saying I should never have been cast in the first place!”

“I’m sure it’s not that bad,” Gabe said.

“No, it is.” I shuddered. “Trust me, I’m too much of a narcissist not to look myself up online. The worst part is, they’re right.”

“But I thought you bumped into him by accident?”

“I did.” I rested my elbows on the tabletop and let my chin sink into my hands. “I swear to God, I did. I’m not actually coordinated enough to do something like that on purpose. I just meant that they’re right that I shouldn’t be on the show.”

I grabbed another fry and chewed on it disconsolately.

“Oh, come on. Where’s that overweening self-confidence I know and hate?” Gabe asked.

“Sunken in and burned, like all my cakes.”

“Well, get it back. I don’t know what to do with you when you’re sad and thoughtful. It’s weird.” Gabe cocked his head to the side. “Anyway, they cast you for a reason.”

“They cast me because I lied and said I knew how to bake.”

“Yeah, but hundreds of other people told them the same thing. And they picked you.”

“I bet they’re regretting that decision now. I don’t even think Tanner likes me, and he’s the gay judge. If I don’t havehimin my corner, what hope do I have?”

Brooklyn’s head snapped up, and Gabe stared at me, wide-eyed.

“What?” I looked between the two of them in confusion. “What did I do?”

“When you sayTanner,” Gabe said slowly, “are you talking about Tanner Carmichael?”

“Um. Yes? Should I…not be?”

“He’sinvolved with the show?” Brooklyn said.

“Yeah. Have you not been watching?”

“We, uh—that is, we wanted to, but, well—”

“It’s on the DVR,” Gabe said. “We’ll catch up. I promise.”

“Okay, but doesn’t it say Tanner’s name in whatever reviews you’ve been reading?” I nodded at Brooklyn’s phone.

“I’ve just been skimming foryourname,” Brooklyn said. “Apparently I shouldn’t have been. I had no idea he was one of the judges.”

“Well, he is. But I still don’t understand why it matters.”

Gabe shook his head and pointed between himself and Brooklyn. “Tanner Carmichael is the reason we got married. He was the one who made that bet. Didn’t I tell you that, back when it happened?”

“Wait, are you serious?”

Brooklyn nodded. “He’s my friend Jesse’s ex. He’s—God, he’s got his fingers in a lot of different things, but somehow, I hadn’t realized he was connected toA Piece of Cake. Though, come to think of it, he did say something about wanting to film here, ages ago.”

“I’m positive I told you about him,” Gabe said. “Did his name not ring any bells when you saw it?”

I shrugged. “Not really. Maybe you did tell me, but you know what my brain’s like.” I sighed. “He’s one of the executive producers for the show. His signing on was one of the reasons they were even able tohavea Season 13.” I paused. “Should I be worried?”

Gabe grimaced. “I mean…no? I don’t think so. Ultimately, I think he’s harmless. Just very bitter.”

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