Overrated?
Every ounce of gratitude evaporated.
“I guess she thought I’d do a good job with it,” Carter said coolly.
Vera stepped closer. Carter couldn’t help backing away, even though Vera was a couple of inches shorter than her. “Do not mess with me, Carter Kelly. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
Carter’s brain was scrambling for some sort of response when a voice called out in an Australian accent, “Vee, there you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Vera growled—literally growled—as she spun to face Fitzy. “What?”
“Whoa, down, girl,” said Fitzy, raising his hands. “I was talking with Ranielle. She wants you to make a series of countdown reels for the fortune teller room. You know, bonus content, maybe reaching out to the actress in the crystal ball video and stuff. And . . . there was something else.” He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. “Right! She wants tarot-themed posts, where viewers get randomly selected cards with fortunes tied to them.”
Vera gaped at him for a long moment before exploding. “You can’t be serious! I already have this week’s posts scheduled. I don’t have time for any of that!”
“You could talk to Ranielle, but she stepped out for a coffee date with one of the Hitflix execs, and then she’ll be up to her ears getting ready for the elimination. Probably best not to procrastinate too long, yeah?”
With a guttural scream, Vera marched away.
“Wow,” breathed Carter. “I didn’t realize her job was so intense.”
Fitzy grinned. “Please. I made all that up. It’ll keep her out of your hair while you film your studio tour. And honestly, she shouldn’t be talking to you that way.”
A giddy laugh climbed out of Carter’s throat. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” He offered an arm. “Shall we get started?”
Carter looked from the creased linen of his sleeve to his dimples. “Are you . . . ?”
“Joining you? Of course I am. Wouldn’t be much of a tour without a professional host, would it?”
“Wow. My subscribers are going to flip.”
“Well, my agent’s always telling me I need to step up my social media game.” He shrugged self-consciously. “He’s got much bigger celebrities to worry about than me, so when he gives advice, I try to listen. Are you ready?”
Carter found herself smiling. Five minutes ago she wouldn’t have been able to answer that question with anything positive.
Now?
“Yeah. I am.” She held up her phone. Fitzy squeezed in close. She summoned her brightest smile and hit record. “Hey, gang, I’m Kick It Carter, and I have a surprise for you. Today, I’ve been given exclusive access behind the scenes of theEscape Gamestudio, and as you can see, I’m joined by a very special guest.”
“’Ello,’ ello,” said Fitzy. “Welcome to my little home away from home. Can’t wait to show you what it’s really like on set. You ready, Carter?”
Her insides fluttered. Her name, that accent . . . “Lead the way.”
With Fitzy taking control, the video was infinitely better than anything she could have recorded on her own. He took her through the greenrooms, the costume closet, even the editing suites, where Carter overheard someone ranting about “those horoscope letters— what was Louis thinking? We can’t air that!”
On Soundstage A, Fitzy walked her through the chemistry lab and talked about how they’d consulted with chemists to concoct a formula that would glow once the four correct liquids were combined.
On Soundstage B, Carter got to properly take in the details of the fortune teller’s tent. With the lights on full power, the set was less mystical than before—the curtains and tablecloth were cheap fabric, and the crystal ball was just plastic with a projector inside. Funny how real it had felt at the time.
“What do you think about taking a peek at thefinaleroom?” Fitzy said, waggling his eyebrows as they exited through the carved Hermit door.
Carter’s pulse jumped. She stared across the corridor at the large closed doors of Soundstage E. She could hear the thumps of nail guns, the grind of table saws. Her thoughts skipped back to the post on the Domain.
1:13 p. m.: Body discovered in studio prop . . .
“Is that where she was found?” she whispered. For a moment, she forgot that she was filming. But then Fitzy’s smile slipped and his gaze darted to the phone, which was now aimed at some random utility cart. Carter quickly realigned it. “Sorry. I was . . . There’s been a lot of talk lately. On the Domain . . .”
