I shoved him off. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m fine.”
“Maybe Belle won’t make you participate,” he said.
“My sister can’t make me do anything,” I boasted to Eli, straightening my jacket. “I’m a billionaire.”
“You just go and tell her that?”
“I will.”
My sister Belle was talking to several audio techs and Dana Holbrook. They both ran a medium-sized investment firm that owned the production company Romance Creative, producer of such outstanding (not!) programming such asMarriage in a Minute,Seeking Sister Wives, and of courseThe Great Christmas Bake-Off.
“I’m not participating,” I interrupted Belle.
Eli sucked in a breath.
“Excuse me,” my sister said, her tone so icy that it made the Christmas market feel like a warm Hawaiian beach in comparison.
“I’ll just, um, wait over here,” I said hastily.
Eli silently shook his head.
“You really are living on the edge lately,” he whispered.
My older sister had basically raised my brothers and me. To keep order with five boys, you had to rule with an iron fist, and my sister had not been soft.
I shifted my weight on my feet.
Even though I was a few inches taller than my six-foot sister, she could still be intimidating.
“I think Mr. Frost has something important to say,” Dana Holbrook finally drawled after the audio guys had left.
Belle gave me a warning look. “If you’re trying to drop out of the bake-off—”
“I have a replacement,” I said in a rush. “Eli can do it.”
“What the hell?” My friend was shocked.
My sister gave me a critical look. “You need to face your fears.”
“I’m not afraid,” I insisted.
“He’s not,” Eli agreed. “It’s an awkward situation, and you know how Matt is. You can’t take him anywhere. He’s going to ruin your show.”
“This is a growth experience for you, Matt,” Belle said.
“Also,” Dana added, “we already have a big marketing campaign around your participation.”
“Now I know this is a hard time of year for you,” Belle said, “so I got you an early Christmas present. Close your eyes.”
I scowled.
Belle grabbed my hand and placed a slip of red paper in it.
“Good luck at the Christmas raffle. I hear tonight’s prize is a kit for DIY elf juice!”
“I fucking hate this holiday.”
3
