“For logistical reasons. Right.” Priya chuckled. “You’re sure a certain cute physician assistant doesn’t have anything to do with this?”

“What about a physician assistant?” Sasha’s voice snapped her out of her reverie. “Is everything okay, Charlie? Did you have to go back to the hospital?”

“No. I’m fine. Just . . .”

“My friend is dating a physician assistant,” Priya chimed in. “He’s a bit”—she waggled her eyebrows—“wild in the bedroom. A story for when we’re off the clock, if you know what I mean.” Cass was grateful to Priya for attempting to try and shift Sasha’s focus away from her health, but their boss ignored Priya’s salacious offering. Stepping closer to Cass, she quietly asked, “Did you bring it?”

“Bring what?” Cass replied.

“The bread mask. Come on, Charlie, I’ve asked you three times now. The reason behind your suddenly glowing skin. I need it to prepare for the gala I’m going to tonight.”

The starter mask. Right. “Oh. Shoot. I’m so sorry, Sasha. I ran out.”

Sasha gave her a critical once-over. “Now that you mention it, I can tell. Your skin’s a bit sallow today. Priya, maybe a bit more of that highlighting veil?” Then Sasha was gone as quickly as she’d arrived, and Cass felt a flare of frustration on her sister’s behalf. Her appearance was constantly dissected. Meanwhile, Austin walked around in his chef’s whites like he ran the place, without anyone commenting on his skin or using hemorrhoid cream around his eyes. It wasn’t fair.

“Don’t listen to any of that, Cass. You look gorgeous, like always,” Priya said quietly, giving her a reassuring smile. Then Sydney was at the door, telling Cass she was due on the set. Time to kick Austin Nash’s smug confidence right out of the kitchen, securing Bake My Day for Charlie.

• • •

Cass took a last glance at her notes and then stood on her mark beside Austin, her heart hammering as she tried to quell the nervousness she felt every time the cameras turned on.

“All set, Goodwin?” Austin kept his winning smile in place and his eyes on the camera. He reached over and squeezed her shoulder, and she shifted slightly away from his touch. “Makeup seems a bit heavy today.”

Cass ignored the jab, focusing instead on the teleprompter that held her lines. Soon the hosts were counted in and Cass pushed aside all thoughts except for one: You are a badass superstar baker, and never forget it.

The studio was busy, with a packed audience and the contestants back on set. Today’s challenge was a gingerbread croquembouche tower, complete with spun sugar tendrils that delicately wrapped around the pastries. All Cass had to do today was judge the contestants’ creations, as the assistants had prepared the sample tower with very little input from Austin or Cass. This was another surprise to Cass about reality television . . . just how much help Austin and Charlie received when it came to creating their masterpieces. The two of them created the recipes, but much of the labor fell to the assistants. Cass wondered if that had ever bothered Charlie, who was not one to shy away from hard work.