Mae’s gasp was the only noise in the room for the first few seconds after the announcement.
George didn’t seem too perturbed and shrugged. “Going away drinks tonight?” he asked our group.
There were a lot of murmured agreements, and I watched as he left the room, closely followed by Mae.
Seemed like I wasn’t the only one with all the gossip up her sleeve.
We finished up on set, and after changing back into our own clothes, we waited outside, huddled in a group for our taxis. I hadn’t seen Grayson since we’d gotten to the set, and I hated to admit that I missed him. He usually dropped in at least once to check in, but there had been no sign of him today.
After piling into our respective taxis and riding to the hotel, we climbed out and then burst into the hotel bar with loud chatter and more enthusiasm than I was sure any of us felt. But we didn’t always have time to have drinks with the person getting eliminated. It was great to say a proper good-bye to George.
Most contestants left right after their elimination, rather than staying in the hotel their final night, but like Charlie, George opted to head off in the morning. I had my suspicions that it had everything to do with Mae.
He was still on set for his exit interview, and the rest of us settled around a big table, ordering drinks. But it was hard to relax, since the next elimination was just around the corner.
When George walked in an hour later, followed by Grayson, I was half asleep and ready to call it a night.
“Look who I ran into on my way out,” George announced to our little group.
He pointed at Grayson, who pulled up a chair next to me and nudged my shoulder. “Hey.”
I tilted my head back and grinned at him. “Hey, yourself. Did George drag you along?”
“No dragging necessary.”
We ordered another round, and Grayson asked the waiter to put it on his card. We all hooted, since a free drink was always welcome.
Grayson looked worn-out, his hair not as styled as usual, his suit a little rumpled, and there were bags under his eyes.
I clinked my glass to his. “Long day?”
“You don’t want to know.”
Now I definitely wanted to know what he’d been up to.
I had my suspicions that George’s elimination had nothing to do with his baking skills and couldn’t help but ask, “Did you know about George?”
Grayson grimaced, and I had my answer.
I put my hand up, giving him a break. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say anything.”
Grayson reached out and tugged on a strand that had gotten loose from my braid. I’d miss the beautiful hairdos the stylists created every day once the show was over. And I’d miss the easy friendship we’d fallen back into even more.
“How did you do today?”
I’d decided not to tell him anything about the Wynona encounter almost as soon as it had happened. She’d calm down, and we could all ignore the uncomfortable conversation and her threats.
“Okay, I guess. But I sincerely hope there won’t be any more egg whites.”
I made a face at the mention of my nemesis, and Grayson’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “I’m sure they were perfect.”
“As my friend, you have to say that.”
His face fell at my words.
What did I say?
He gave me a thin-lipped smile, and my suspicions that something was wrong were confirmed. That smile was as fake as Pamela Anderson’s boobs. “The crew raves about your baking. Did you know they have contests to decide who gets first pick of the leftovers?”
