Ashna couldn’t remember the last time anyone had put what she wanted before everything else. Actually, she did remember. That was the problem. No, the real problem was how horribly she had missed it.

DJ announced that Tatiana would be leaving them this week—thanks to a corn dog where the batter hadn’t stuck to the dog. Tatiana and her chef hugged everyone, expressed remorse but also relief at going back to focusing on her dogs and his restaurant, respectively, and walked away.

Then DJ was on the mic again, announcing the surprise. “You’ve all been working really hard here. Some of you have had to be away from your families. So, we’ve brought your families to you. Our studio audience today is all friends and family.”

The studio broke into happy chaos. The lights over the audience went on and Ashna decided that she desperately needed a new best friend, because China had brought in Nisha; Nisha’s daughter, Mishka; Mina Kaki; and Yash. Which meant her family would see her with Rico. Which meant he’d see her with her family. A bleeding together of parts of her life she would give anything to keep separate. At least Shobi was conspicuous by her absence, and Ashna’s relief was an unholy blast, because if Rico saw her with Shobi . . . well, he wasn’t going to.

DJ invited the families to join the contestants in the lounge for wine and cheese and the contestants made their way there.

The first person Ashna saw when she entered the lounge was Yash. She squealed and flew into his arms and he pulled her into a bear hug. Cameras went off around them. With anyone else it would feel staged, given that Yash was a gubernatorial candidate and positive, seemingly ordinary family-life coverage was gold. But Yash had a way of swimming in the sea of hoopla without ever getting wet.

“OMG, what is Yash Raje doing here?” Ashna said, holding Yash tight. She didn’t get to see him nearly enough anymore. This running-for-governor business was time consuming. “I’ve missed you. It’s almost worth doing the show to get to see you.”

His gray eyes twinkled. How he appeared so energetic after months of being on the road she would never know. “Totally lucky that I was back home for a day. When Ma told me they’re letting us visit today, I had to come by and make sure they were taking care of you.”

Ashna laughed. Across the room, Rico was introducing a friend from his soccer team to Song and her family. “I needed my big brother to come rescue me. It’s been torture.”

“But it’s worth it because of the view?” Yash caught her studying Rico. Song handed Rico a baby swathed in pink frills and he pressed her close to his chest. Something low in Ashna’s belly went up in flames.