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Anne-Marie smiles toward the camera. “Jess and Dax did it again, another high roll. They rolled a ten! If their luck keeps holding out like this, they’re in for a real treat at the end of the competition. And what does the happy couple have to say about all of this?”

She looks at us expectantly, and the cameras turn our way.

I flash a friendly smile at the camera. “We’re ecstatic to have won second place and really looking forward to relaxing in this beautiful hotel. We’re also dying to know what the dice are for. I don’t suppose you can give us a hint, Anne-Marie?”

“Oh, you handsome devil.” She playfully swats my shoulder. “I can’t give away those secrets just yet; however, I can promise you that it’s definitely a prize worth winning. Trust me on that.”

“I understand. We’ll just have to be patient. Won’t we, Jess?” I put my arm around her and squeeze her to my side.

Jess blinks up at me and then smiles prettily. “I’m always patient.”

Anne-Marie laughs, then quiets and purses her lips thoughtfully. “Now, Jess. A little birdie told me you’ve been keeping a little secret. Care to share your secret with our viewers?”

Secret? Huh?

I look at Jess as she stiffens beside me. Her face begins to drain of color.

I’m positive Anne-Marie can’t have found out that we aren’t really engaged. We’ve been careful whenever cameras are around. I don’t think she could possibly know about Jess’s ex-fiancé, Anthony. I search Anne-Marie’s face for a clue, but she is looking at Jess expectantly. The lack of expression on her face worries me.

“Secret?” Jess squeaks out.

Anne-Marie winks. “You know, your secret. You and Dax?”

Jess shakes her head and refuses to say anything. I clear my throat to get the focus back on me.

At times like this, showing strength and confidence is most important. I’m used to dealing with the press, and this is no different. I straighten up and look directly at the camera. “Jess and I don’t have any secrets, Anne-Marie. We’re an open book. Happy to share whatever it is you think we’re hiding.”

“I should’ve been more clear,” Anne-Marie says slyly. “I was referring to the fact that you were secretly engaged right before the start of the show. Apparently, Jess here hasn’t even told her parents about the engagement yet. Cat’s out of the bag now, you two! What do you think Jess’s parents will say when they watch the show?”

Jess sags against me, and I can feel her relief. She snaps out of her trance enough to answer Anne-Marie. “They’ll be happy for me. They’ll love Dax.”

“Wait. Do you mean they haven’t even met him yet?” Anne-Marie asks, her eyes wide.

Jess shifts her weight from one leg to the next. “Umm, no. Not exactly. Dax has been really busy. We haven’t had a chance to visit them yet,” she says uncomfortably.

My lips graze the top of Jess’s head reassuringly. “That’s right. I’ve only met them virtually, not yet in person. We were going to tell them about the engagement right after it happened, but then we thought it would be more fun if they found out when they watched the show. Isn’t that right, Jess?”

“Sure. I mean, yes. Yeah. That’s the plan,” Jess says.

Anne-Marie smiles into the camera once more. “Such a romantic plan. I just love it! Okay you two, before I let you go, why don’t you kiss once for the camera? Let Mom and Dad see how much you love each other!”

Jess is looking at me with a less-than-love type of look. I don’t need a degree in psychology to figure out that kissing on camera is the last thing she wants to do right now. She’s probably thinking of our last kiss with a camera. In this instance, I don’t think we have much choice. Like monkeys in a zoo, we have to perform.

I face Jess and put my hands on her shoulders. She obligingly tilts her face up to mine, but I can see she hates being forced into this. I lean down and touch my lips to hers for a second, then release.

Jess looks relieved. Off to the side, Anne-Marie is scowling. Clearly, she’s unhappy with our sad excuse for a performance. Sighing, I lean down to Jess’s ear.

As quietly as possible, I whisper, “It’s going to be okay. Pretend no one else is here.”

She gives an imperceptible nod just as my lips claim hers. At first, she doesn’t move at all. I wrap my arms around her back. Gradually, she warms up and begins to move her lips against mine, ever so slightly, then with more gusto.

I know it’s all an act, but it doesn’t stop the surge of adrenaline I feel.

“Oh my goodness, I just love you guys,” squeals Anne-Marie. “Alright, everyone, I see another couple entering the lobby. Looks like our third-place winners are arriving. Dax and Jess, I’ll say goodbye for now. I can see you two will definitely enjoy your evening.”

Jess and I slowly come apart, our eyes still on each other. I hear the host talking to the third-place winners, but my attention is on the woman in front of me.

“Are you ready to go?” I ask as I take her hand in mine.