“Sleep is really important for concussions,” Miguel said, frown still in place. “And we talked about the importance of taking a bit of time off work.”

“I’ll go to bed extra early. Promise,” Cass said, feeling the phone buzz again in her palm. “And I’m taking it really easy at work. I swear.”

Miguel nodded, dimpled smile back in action. “So, before you run off, can you tell me what the recipe is? I can keep a secret.”

Cass hesitated, and Miguel held up a hand in apology. “You can’t tell me, I get it. Forget I even asked. It’s just . . . as I mentioned in the ER, I’m a big fan of your show. Like, geek level.”

“Yeah. I’m a big fan, too.”

“Of your own show?” Miguel laughed, and Cass pulled a face.

“Well, sure. It’s a great show!”

This made Miguel laugh even harder, which made Cass feel good. But the buzz of incoming texts reminded her she had reached situation critical. She had to get to the set, right now.

But she had an idea. It wasn’t a good one, given that wherever possible she should be avoiding people who had interactions with Charlie that Cass knew nothing about. However, in this moment outside the still-dark café she felt like she suddenly really was a different person—someone much more confident and bold than the woman she was in Starlight Peak.

“Listen, the holiday baking marathon is being taped in front of a live audience. Maybe you’d like to come watch a taping one day this week?” Cass had no clue if she was allowed to invite people to join the audience, but she figured Charlie had enough pull that it would be fine.

“Seriously?” Miguel’s face lit up, making him look, if possible, even more handsome. “I’d love that, Charlie. Tomorrow is my day off. Would that work? Too soon?”

“Tomorrow is great. I’ll put your name on the list.” As she gave him the address of the studio, Cass hoped there was such a list. “When you get to security, show photo ID and they’ll let you into the viewing area.”

“Wow. Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do. You were so great the other day at the hospital.” Again, she assumed this was the truth. She couldn’t imagine Miguel’s bedside manner being anything but amazing.

Miguel bit his lip for a moment, and Cass wondered if she had misread things. “I hate to ask this . . .” he started. “But she’d absolutely kill me if I didn’t include her. Would I be able to bring a guest?”

Of course. He had a girlfriend. A guy this cute and nice couldn’t be single, especially in this town. “Sure.” Cass managed to keep her smile in place. “The more the merrier. What’s her name so I can put it on the list?”

“Jacintha Rodriguez.” Same last name. A wife, not a girlfriend. “See you tomorrow, Charlie. Looking forward to it!”

“I am, too,” Cass said, trying to hide how crestfallen she was. “Bye, Miguel.” It was for the best, she told herself as she took off down the sidewalk at a fast clip. Her life was already complicated enough—and Miguel Rodriguez was certainly not part of the plan.