His smile turned wry. “It’s never been an issue. Lots of fish in the sea, and all that.” He didn’t look at Carter as he said it.
Motive, her mind whispered. If Fitzy had been dating Alicia, he didn’t want anyone to find out because he’d lose his job.
But—he’d been filming a livestream! There was no way it was Fitzy.
Right?
“Fitzy, Fitzy, Fitzy.”
Louis Augustus Russell sauntered down the hall, his gold suspenders shimmering. “Are you keeping Miss Kelly to yourself ?”
Panic spiked through Carter as Ranielle’s missive to leave the Game Master alone echoed in her brain. Hastily turning her attention back to the camera lens, she stammered, “And that puts a wrap on the tour! Drop me a comment about what behind-the-scenesEscape Gamecontent you want to see next!” She stopped the recording. “Oh, hey, Game Master.”
She tried to sound casual.
She failed.
“Carter,” he said. “You’re here early today.”
“Filming some content for the fans.” She waved the phone at him. “Don’t worry. Ranielle approved it. I promise.”
“She’s giving a studio tour,” said Fitzy. “I thought I’d show her around.”
“How generous of you,” said Louis, but his gaze stayed fixed on Carter. “Ranielle told me about what happened the other night. It’s a relief you’re all right.”
Carter forced a smile. “Thanks. We’re fine. Just . . . shook up a bit.”
Fitzy cast his attention between the two of them. “What happened the other night?”
Louis opened his mouth, but Carter jumped in first, “One of the other contestants thought it would be funny to lock my team in the cafeteria’s industrial freezer.” She laughed, trying to play it off like no big deal. “A prank.”
“What?Is everyone okay?”
She waved away his worries. The last thing she wanted was for
Fitzy to think she was a whiner. “We weren’t in there for long.” Fitzy’s face was still creased with concern. “Do they know who it was?”
“Not yet. But we have our suspicions.”
Understanding darkened Fitzy’s eyes. “I can make a few guesses myself.”
“The security company is looking into it,” said Louis. “But we’re relieved no one was seriously hurt. And now, I do believe it’s time to get into wardrobe.” He sent a lopsided smile toward Carter. “You don’t mind if I steal our host away, do you?”
“No, of course not. My team should be here soon. I think I need to start getting ready, too.”
“Wait, wait,” said Fitzy, snapping his fingers. “Carter, you never got that exclusive Game Master interview.”
She tensed. “That’s okay. I shouldn’t have tried to—”
“No, Fitzy’s right,” said Louis. “You’re a great asset this season. I don’t know what my wife’s problem is. Let me see your phone.”
She handed it to him uncertainly. Louis created a new contact for himself. Under the Company tab, he added,Game Master.
Then he entered his number.
Carter gaped. “Is this . . . your direct line?”
He chuckled as he handed it back. “Whenever you want that interview, send me a message. It’s the least I can do.”
