Page 31 of My Irresistible Enemy

Finally, they cut the cameras, and Roy was allowed to step out of the tent to call his family and pack. They kept the rest of us inside for another few minutes, though, so the judges could explain the rest of the day’s schedule.

“Next week is pie week,” Vivian announced. “And your challenge is going to require some research. We’ll be heading over to the Adair public library to film you all as you gather ideas. We’ll actually film the bulk of your practice bakes tomorrow morning, so you’ll need to be ready bright and early again. We’ve got half an hour for lunch now, and then we’ll reconvene so we can film walking over to the library together.”

“Why not just film usatthe library?” asked Lucinda, one of the other bakers.

“Or just let us look things up online like normal,” put in Omar.

“Because the Summersea Island tourism board has agreed to facilitate our filming here,” Tanner said, “in exchange for us showcasing the delights of their charming island.”

“Which include the library?” Omar arched an eyebrow.

“Which include many things,” Tanner said smoothly. “Of which the library is one. Now go grab your lunches and be back here in thirty minutes sharp.”

I was on my way out of the tent when one of the story producers, a young woman with long, dark hair, tapped me on the shoulder.

“Hey, Aiden, you have a sec?”

“Uh, sure. You’re Nora, right?”

The woman nodded. “Yep! I’m sorry we haven’t had much of a chance to chat yet. For some reason, I’ve always been working the other side of the tent.”

“No worries.” My brow furrowed. “Is everything okay? You’re not about to tell me that they made a mistake, and I actually am going home, right?”

I laughed to show that I was joking, but it petered out quickly when Nora didn’t join in.

“Oh shit, is that really what’s happening?”

“No, no.” Nora shook her head quickly. “It’s not that, it’s just—well, can you meet me inside in like, five minutes? Up in your room? Not for anything weird, I promise, I just don’t want us to be seen talking for too long.”

“Um. Okay?” I swallowed. This was getting stranger and stranger—a feeling that only intensified when I opened up my bedroom door five minutes later and Nora, that camera guy, Em, and Nolan all trooped into my room.

“Wait a second, why’s he here?” I asked, pointing to Nolan.

“I could say the same thing about you,” he said.

“It’s my room,” I retorted. “But I don’t have anything to say to—”

“Guys, guys, calm down, please?” Em held out his hands like he was separating us at a boxing match.

“I’m calm,” Nolan said, leaning back against the wall and folding his arms. “Who said I wasn’t calm?”

I rolled my eyes, but Em gave me a pleading look, and I acquiesced. “Sure. Fine. Whatever. What’s so important that we have to meet all clandestinely about it up here?”

“Well, it’s actually Nora who found out about it,” Em said. “I’m just here because I didn’t think Nolan would agree to come talk to you on his own.”

“I’m not a child, Em,” Nolan protested.

“Could’ve fooled me,” I said. I couldn’t help myself.

“Oh, that’s rich, coming from you.”

“Oh my lord, can y’all chill for one second?” Nora said. “This shouldn’t take too long. I just wanted to let you know—well, I kind of overheard something I shouldn’t have, I think. And it’s possible that I’m wrong, or I misheard, or they’ve changed their minds, but, well—” She took a deep breath. “I heard Vivian and Tanner talking earlier this morning. They got a note from the network that said they need to send you both home next week.”

“Wait, what?” My mouth fell open.

“Are you serious?” Nolan asked.

He looked as confused as I was. It was disconcerting, actually, feeling like I had something in common with him.

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