Page 115 of Darn Knit All

She took a sip of her coffee, watching me over the rim.

“You’re pretty gone for this girl, aren’t you?”

The words I wanted to say to Mai burned on my tongue.

I love you.

“She’s a good woman.”

Celeste snorted. “I’m a good woman, that girl is a fucking saint. Do you have any idea how many people we have come through these doors looking to be TV stars?”

She paused and I shook my head, realizing belatedly that she expected an answer.

“Thousands each week. And from those thousands at the last fucking minute, we pull you two. It’s the perfect pairing. A funny small-town boy and his girlfriend with big dreams. You two should be the darlings of the screen, a director’s delight. You’ve turned into my fucking nightmare.”

She placed her coffee on the desk. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. I’m gonna fix this for you. But you have to do something for me.”

“Anything.”

She chuckled darkly. “Oh, honey. You have no idea what you just agreed to.”

I ignored her ominous words. “What do you need me to do?”

Celeste smiled, a slow, calculating curl of her lips. “You, Theo, are going to give the performance of a lifetime. We’re going to spin this little ‘fake relationship’ revelation in our favor.”

“How so?”

She leaned forward, steepling her fingers. “Picture this—a heartfelt confession on live TV. You admit that yes, initially you and Mai agreed to pretend to be a couple for the show. But somewhere along the way, real feelings developed. By the end, you were both head over heels, your on-screen chemistry impossible to fake.”

“You really think anyone is gonna believe us after this?”

Celeste chuckled. “I love when a TV land newbie joins the crew. You’re always so naive. Our viewers will eat this shit up. Star-crossed lovers who found each other under unconventional circumstances? It’s reality TV gold.”

I shook my head. “Mai will never agree to this. She wants to come clean, be done with the lies, not create more.”

“Is it really a lie though?”

I rocked back in my seat.Jesus Christ. How did she?—

“I know all, Theo. Does she feel the same way about you?”

I lifted one shoulder. “You’d have to ask her.”

“Good answer.” Celeste leaned back in her seat. “Alternatively, there is another option.”

I hated to ask. “And that is?”

“It’s time for your solo, Mr. Garrett.”

CHAPTER 20

MAI

Mai

I miss you

Theo

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