Page 55 of My Irresistible Enemy

“I’m getting that.” I nodded. “And I’ll try not to do it again.”

“Thanks.” His voice was almost too quiet to hear over the band, but I resisted the urge to lean in. Didn’t want him to think I was trying to crowd him again. He shifted so his body was angled forty-five degrees from mine. Still not looking at me, but I supposed it was an improvement. “So. What should we talk about?”

I laughed. “Are you sure you’re not a robot?”

“What? It’s a normal question!”

“Maybe for a robot who doesn’t know how to simulate human-to-human interaction, it is. It’s not rocket science. We just have to make conversation.”

Nolan’s eyes darted over to mine, then looked away. “Alright. Um. What’s your favorite baked good?”

“Oh my God, are you serious? Do you really suck at talking to people this badly?”

“What’s wrong withthatquestion?”

“Well, aside from the fact that, for once, we’renotsupposed to be talking about baking, it’s boring. What is this, a middle-school icebreaker? What color is your toothbrush, if you could have one superpower, what would it be?”

“Fine, you pick a question then.”

“Okay, how about, why did you decide to try out forA Piece of Cake?”

Nolan took a sip of his punch, then grimaced. “That’s about baking. Next question.”

“It’s not about baking, it’s about your hopes and dreams and aspirations and shit.”

“Well, I still don’t want to answer it.”

“Why, did I touch a nerve? Or are you just determined to be mysterious for no reason.”

“No, I just didn’t think it needed to be answered again. I came on this show to win. I’ve already said that.”

“Yes, but why?”

“Because I want the money.”

“Igetthat, but—”

“Why didyoucome on the show, then, if this is such an interesting topic?” Nolan asked.

“To get exposure, so my acting career can get a jump start, or so I can go on some celebrity game show competition or, failing that, so I can at least become a D-list social media influencer who makes money hawking questionable diet supplements that haven’t been evaluated by the FDA.”

Nolan’s eyes widened, and he actually looked at me. “Wow. That’s detailed.”

I shrugged. “I never expected to get cast on this show, but I’m gonna milk it while I can.”

He laughed lightly. “Surprisingly honest of you.”

“I’m not actually this, like, evil lying liar who lies all the time. I just try to be clear-eyed about things. I was never going to make it far onA Piece of Cakebased on my baking skills. I have to play to my strengths if I want to reach my goals.”

“Which are being semi-famous and shilling for weight loss companies on social media?” Nolan arched an eyebrow.

“Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it.” I gave him a sideways smile. “I sorta accidentally made my brother and his husband internet-famous last year, just by putting pictures of them being adorable online. Maybe I have a gift, you know?”

“I heard Vivian mention something about that,” Nolan said, nodding. “I guess that’s another fallback option for you, right? Managing their accounts and all that?”

“Oh, God no. They took them all down. Brooklyn—my brother’s husband—doesn’t really do social media and didn’t like all the attention, and Gabe—my brother—didn’t care either way. No, they’re happy living their tiny, obscure life here on this island with a population of twelve.”

“They live here?” Nolan looked surprised. “I didn’t realize.”

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