Trip slid the bottle closer to Lauren, but she held her hand up to decline. “I’m sorry you were blindsided. Anything good come from the conversation?”

She lifted her shoulders and let them drop. “We agreed to take some time. I think Carly wasn’t in a place where she could give of herself, and while it’s nice that she said all the right things today, I just don’t know.” She shook her head. “Something in me couldn’t seem to tell her what I actually believe.”

Trip came around the island and put his arm around Lauren. “And what is that?”

“That I’m desperately in love with a woman who I can never truly have.”

Chapter Nineteen

The upbeat game show music played, and Carly applauded, all the while smiling at her Pyramid partner—Jennifer from Dayton, Ohio, who taught second grade. Jennifer had already won the first round with Carly and the second with Aspen Wakefield from the TV show Thicker Than Water, who—let’s be honest—was not as quick on the draw. Carly was not about to drop Jennifer’s chance to take it all in the Winner’s Circle. No way. Jennifer from Dayton was going home with all the money if Carly had anything to say about it.

She cleared her mind of everything as Jennifer with the shiny red hair and jean jacket received their category, We’re Grilled to Have You Here, and prepared to give clues. The clock started.

“Meat.”

“Hamburger,” Carly answered.

Jennifer tried again. “Expensive. Filet. Ribeye.”

“Steak.”

The bell chimed, signaling Carly had been correct. Everything within her celebrated, but she held it together. They moved on to the next five clues, all pertaining to a backyard barbecue. She and Jennifer sailed through them like pros. Finally, they moved to the last clue with only eight seconds on the clock.

“To flip something over.”

“Toss.”

“You turn a burger, a flapjack with a…”

“Spatula.”

“Yes!” Jennifer shouted and leapt from her chair, now another hundred thousand dollars richer. Carly threw her arms around her victorious partner, and they did a little dance that pulled a laugh from the audience and host.

When the game show wrapped filming, Carly found herself on an adrenaline high. She’d shot two back-to-back episodes that day, and it was honestly the most fun she’d had in a long time. She’d made a point of going into the situation with a light heart and a plan to have fun. Both had definitely helped her release some of the expectations she had for herself.

“Ms. Daniel?” She turned and smiled at the man in a suit moving toward her. “You were fantastic today. Any chance you’d be interested in taking a turn as one of our celebrity competitors on To Tell the Truth? You have such sparkle that I think you’d be wonderful. More opportunity to show off your personality.”