“I don’t even know if it matters.” Cass sounded defeated. “This thing is probably past the point where we have any chance to stop it.”
“Again, I’m sorry. If I had had any idea—”
“It’s fine,” Cass snapped. “I’ll deal with Sarah. And the starter. Just like I always do when it comes to this family.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Now it was Charlie’s turn to cross her arms angrily, the twins facing off in front of the case of baked goods.
“You couldn’t wait to get out of here, Charlie. But did you ever think about what you were leaving behind? That you left me to figure this all out, to make sure our family’s legacy continued? Did you even think about me at all?”
Charlie was dumbstruck. Yes, she had skipped town the second she got accepted to culinary school, but Cass had never mentioned wanting to leave Starlight Peak. Or to do anything differently than what she was doing. “You never said anything, Cass! Besides, you were with Brett, and I thought you were happy here. Look, I know we have that mind-meld twin thing, but how was I supposed to know you didn’t want to stay if you didn’t tell me?”
“Would it have even mattered?” Cass sat down heavily at one of the tables and put her head in her hands. “Someone had to stay, Charlie.”
“Says who?” Charlie softened her voice, sitting down across from Cass. “I’m sorry I didn’t check in with you more often. I didn’t realize everything you were going through.”
Cass shook her head. “Honestly, I mostly wanted to stay. I do love it here. I’m good at running the bakery. But . . .”
Charlie touched her sister’s hands. “But what?”
“I didn’t know what else might be out there!” Cass had tears in her eyes. “I didn’t give myself permission to consider it. The bakery. Brett. My life was all wrapped up in a predictable bow and I didn’t even take a minute to think about whether it was what I really wanted.”
Charlie nodded, understanding the dilemma. The idea of starting anew brought with it exhilaration, but also fear. “Why are you home now, Cass? There’s still a day of shooting.”
As the silence stretched a beat too long, Charlie had a sense she wasn’t going to be happy with the answer.
“It’s over.” Cass said.
“What’s over?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t call,” Cass continued. “I should have. But the only way to tell you what I have to tell you was to do it in person.”
“Tell me what?” It was possible Charlie’s heart was going to explode with nervousness.
“You were never getting the Bake My Day hosting job, Charlie.” Cass’s tone was gentle, but her words made Charlie feel like she’d been slammed to the ground.
“What?” Charlie pulled her hands out of Cass’s. “What are you talking about?”
For a moment she stared at Cass, unable to even form a coherent thought because she was still trying to process her twin’s revelation. Austin had beaten Charlie, after all? Her television career had started and ended with Sweet & Salty . . . and she hadn’t even been there to see it happen. The initial panic she’d felt when Cass showed up tonight was replaced with another emotion: anger. With narrowed eyes, Charlie hissed, “What happened, Cass? What did you do?”
“Me? I did nothing except tolerate that jerk Austin and do my best to be the perfect Charlie Goodwin!” Then she pushed back from the table and stood, her eyes filling with angry tears. “Let’s not forget this was your idea, Charlie. Your idea.”
“The worst idea I’ve ever had, clearly.” Charlie stood, too, taking a few steps away from her sister. She was in shock. How had everything fallen apart so spectacularly? “I trusted you, Cass.”
“Charlie, you not getting the hosting job had nothing to do with me, or what happened on set. I mean, yes, I did leave the set early. But that wouldn’t have changed anything. That job was always going to be Austin’s.”
“How can you be so sure?” Charlie practically shouted.
“I overheard Austin talking with Sasha, and she said she was going to tell you after Sweet and Salty wrapped the holiday special. But they had decided before the first episode even aired, apparently.” Cass watched helplessly as Charlie paced the small room. “I’m so, so sorry. I know how important this was to you.”
Charlie couldn’t even respond. She felt betrayed by Sasha, embarrassed that Austin had won, and was deeply disappointed that her hard work hadn’t been good enough. She never should have left Souci, or taken the co-host job. On top of it all, she was furious. But precisely at who or what, she wasn’t sure. What she did know, however, was that she couldn’t deal with any of it tonight.