When I win.Not if. Maya's optimism is both infectious and terrifying.
My phone dings with a text from Mrs. Henderson asking if her cake will be ready on time. Real life, demanding my attention. Bills to pay, orders to fill, a business to run.
But for the first time in months, there's something else too. A tiny spark of possibility that maybe, things could change.
Even if that change comes in the form of a reality dating show and an orc named Korgan the Destroyer.
What the hell have I gotten myself into?
The call comes at six-thirty on a Tuesday morning, right in the middle of my sourdough prep. I almost don't answer because I don't recall the number and I'm elbow-deep in starter, but something makes me wipe my hands and swipe to accept.
"Trinity Lewis?"
"Speaking."
"This is Jessica Powers from Paramount Reality Productions. We'd like to offer you a spot onHeart of the Horde, season six."
I nearly drop the phone into my mixing bowl.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You've been selected as one of twenty-five contestants. We were particularly impressed with your audition video, the authenticity, the food angle. Very fresh."
Fresh.Like produce. Like something that hasn't gone stale yet.
"We'll need an answer by end of business today," Jessica continues, her voice crisp and professional. "Filming starts in two weeks. There's a standard contestant fee of five thousand dollars, plus significant promotional opportunities for your business. And of course, the winner receives an additional fifty thousand dollars and a feature inFood & Winemagazine."
Fifty thousand dollars. That's more than I made last year. That's enough to pay off my equipment loans, cover rent for six months, maybe even expand into the space next door that's been sitting empty since the hardware store closed.
"I need to think about it."
"Of course. But Trinity?" Jessica's voice softens slightly. "This is a life-changing opportunity. We don't offer spots to just anyone."
After she hangs up, I stand in my kitchen staring at my phone like it might explode. Twenty minutes ago, my biggest concern was whether my starter had enough rise for today's bread orders. Now I'm holding a golden ticket to national television and potential financial salvation.
My hands are shaking when I call Maya.
"They said yes?" She's breathless before I even finish explaining.
"They said yes."
"OH MY GOD!" Her shriek is so loud I have to pull the phone away from my ear. "Trinity, this is huge! This is, wait, you're going to say yes, right? Please tell me you're not overthinking this."
Of course I'm overthinking this.It's what I do. But this time, the practical part of my brain and the dreaming part are actually aligned.
"I think I have to."
"You absolutely have to. When do you leave?"
"Two weeks. If I say yes."
"When you say yes. What are you going to wear? We need to go shopping. And we need to prep the bakery for the publicity?—"
"Maya, breathe." But I'm smiling for the first time in months. Real smiling, not the polite customer-service version I've been wearing like armor.
"I can't breathe! My best friend is going to be on television! With an orc! This is the best day of my entire life!"
Here goes nothing.
