Page 37 of Down and Dirty Celebrity Edition

“Do you ...” she started, but the rest of the words were too thick to get out of her mouth. She looked at Savannah for support, but the book critic looked just as shocked as she was.

“We’ve heard more than enough moaning to put two and two together,” Avery said with a lazy roll of her shoulders. “Specifically, around midnight.”

“The night of that bed reward,” Ezra added, leaning over to rest an arm on Maya Lin’s shoulder. “At first, I thought one of you was doubled over with stomach cramps. You know, from inhaling all those croissants.”

“But it became apparent it was not stomach pain,” Maya said. “The rhythm was too consistent.”

Oh goodness, this was mortifying. Amy didn’t know what to say. Except that they had tried really hard not to make much noise that night. Were they really that loud? “I’m so—”

“Embarrassed,” Savannah finished.

“Humiliated,” Amy added. Her cheeks were so hot they felt like they were on fire. She imagined she looked like a freshly boiled lobster and quickly fanned her face before they had to walk on set.

But it was too late.

“CAN THE FINAL COUNCIL PLEASE GET READY!” Elise called from over by the Jimmy Jib crane. Her blonde curls had more spring in them than a pogo stick. “WE’RE ON IN FIVE... FOUR... THREE...”

“Come on,” Savannah said, curling her arm around Amy’s waist.

Then, one by one, they walked out into the clearing. The stage lights were so blinding that it took Amy several blinks to adjust her eyes. Production had spared no expense. The usual clearing had been completely transformed. There were tall iron sconces crackling with open flames along the perimeter. Large pedestals were overflowing with orange Heliconia, deep magenta Cattleya orchids, and sweeping fronds of wild palm. Giant, hand-coiled ceramic urns were piled high with quartz crystals that caught and reflected the stage light, and right in front of them in the center of the clearing, Luna and Kate sat on identical carved rosewood stools.

“Welcome to the Final Council,” Naomi said just as they all took their seats. She was wearing a backless terracotta jersey gown and a gold collar necklace that made her look like a goddess. “This game started with twelve contestants, and tonight there are only two left.” She gestured toward Luna and Kate, then focused on the Final Council. “Tonight, the power lies in your hands,” she announced. “You’ll hear their final arguments, dissect the game they played, and then decide who has earned the right to the title of Ultimate Outlast Her.”

Amy’s skin broke out in goosebumps.

“Kate,” Naomi said. “You will get the first chance to make your case.”

You’d think production would’ve taken pity on Kate and done something about her hair. Or maybe they’d left her intentionally bedraggled to play up the heroine angle for the edit. She smoothed back the frizzy strands and focused her gaze on the Final Council.

“Thank you, Naomi,” Kate said with a voice that was softer and silkier than ever before.

Amy was suddenly taken back to the 88th Academy Awards, when J.K. Simmons had stood at the podium and had announced Best Supporting Actress. Kate had won for her role as the tragic heroine in The Velvet Shadow. She’d even beaten Alicia Vikander. During her speech, Amy had cried literal tears. Were they all going to be swept off their feet?

The answer was yes.

“I came into this game knowing exactly how people see me,” Kate said. “They expected a star. They expected me to shine brighter than the rest of them. But after spending two decades in the limelight, I learned one very important thing... it’s the people in the background who actually run the show, the producers, makeup artists, set designers, and directors calling cues in the dark, who hold all the real power.” She paused and flashed that Hollywood smile of hers. “Which was why I played my game behind the curtain. I quietly pulled strings, making the right people feel safe. It was my idea to keep Ezra close after Sloan got heatstroke, to blindside Brenda, to form the Lake Alliance. I brought up the topic of Ozempic knowing Avery would have a strong opinion, and I found the note about the shared reward. I knew that if I gave it to Luna, she would make a scene.”

“She’s literally throwing Luna under the bus,” Savannah whispered, her breath brushing hot against Amy’s ear. “How is Luna going to top that?”

Amy had no idea. But Luna was like a Russian nesting doll. Just when you thought you’d seen every version of her, another layer popped out.

When Kate finished her speech, Naomi turned toward Luna. “It is your turn to convince the Final Council that you’re worthy of the title of Ultimate Outlast Her.”

Luna stood up and smoothed the wrinkles in her dress. Then she eyed her best friend, who might not be her best friend after tonight. “There’s an old saying back home: You can’t fear the fire when you’re born from the embers.” She sighed as if the saying brought back actual memories before adding, “Kate may have hidden in the shadows, but I let this game burn me. I literally caught fire and resurrected myself from the ashes...”

The claps that sounded were just as strong as the claps they’d given for Kate earlier. This vote was going to be a doozy.

“All right, Final Council,” Naomi announced, stepping toward the infamous pedestal. This time it held only two cups. “It is time to vote.”

Before Amy knew it, Naomi was standing with her hands clasped in front of her and a gleaming smile on her face. Moments earlier she’d counted the stones from the respective cups. “The winner of the twelfth season of Outlast Her is...” There was a literal drum roll. “KATE BELLINA!”

Kate leaped up and flashed that Hollywood smile as if she’d known she’d win all along. Then everyone held their breath. Would this ruin a friendship between two women who were as thick as thieves? But then Luna shot up, looking equally as happy, and threw her arms around her best friend. She even half-lifted Kate off the ground before planting a kiss on her cheek. In the next moment, the confetti came down like rain. Then, all of a sudden, Kate was holding a bottle of champagne. Amy was paying so little attention to what was happening that she didn’t even see where it had come from. It was no wonder she hadn’t seen a PA carrying a bottle of Moët. Her focus was entirely on Savannah, on the way she had her head tilted back, her eyes closed, eyelashes fluttering, as if she were looking at the sun. Her delicate gold hoops caught the light, and her lips were parted, soft and slick.

Amy might not have won Outlast Her, but she was leaving with the real prize.

“Just kiss her already,” Maya Lin’s voice drawled from behind her.

Amy didn’t need to be told twice. She closed the gap between them, one hand snaking around Savannah’s waist, the other cupping Savannah’s jaw. “I know you never wanted to be my inspiration,” Amy muttered. “But I’m so fucking happy things turned out the way they did. You’re my favorite muse.” Then, before Savannah could get a chance to reply, Amy pulled her in until their lips met. Golden glitter swirled around them. She was literally living the scene in The Notebook, only instead of torrential rain, it was a downpour of shimmering foil.