Chapter 3: Trending for All the Wrong Reasons

“Your hand okay? Here, let me put a band-aid on it.”

Carter held out his hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Marissa is so caring.”

“Hehe, I think so too.”

The host pretended to gag, like she couldn’t handle the cuteness.

But honestly, coconut unboxing is weirdly addictive—a low-budget version of those gemstone reveal videos. And with Carter’s hands, the more you watch, the more you want to keep watching.

The director whispered, “Maybe we should pitch a coconut unboxing series. Who needs true crime when you’ve got this?”

Viewers started to get it, admiring my wise decision:

“You know what, Carter cracking coconuts is weirdly addictive!”

Carter spent almost half an hour opening coconuts before the host remembered what we were actually supposed to be doing. Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be a toothpaste ad?

Soon, the host brought out a bag of cards with questions and fan benefits. Urged on by the viewers, she started testing the chemistry between me and Carter.

She waggled her eyebrows, “Let’s see how well you two really know each other. No pressure!”

The host asked Carter:

“Marissa’s favorite food?”

“Fried chicken.”

“Marissa’s favorite color?”

“Green.”

“Marissa’s favorite fruit?”

“Watermelon...”

Wow, he knows me better than my own Wikipedia. No wonder—before the broadcast, my agent gave me a Carter-prep handbook, probably for this segment. I just didn’t expect Carter would also do his homework. The guy’s got a mind like a steel trap.

I shot him a look, half-impressed, half-embarrassed. “Are you stalking my Postmates history?”

Then it was my turn:

“What’s Carter’s favorite drink?”

“Pumpkin spice latte.”

“Wrong, it’s coffee. CJ can’t stand sweet drinks.”

In the comments, Carter’s fans started spamming. The host reminded me:

“Marissa, did you remember wrong? Our Carter never touches sweets—he’s gotta keep that figure!”

Did I remember wrong? In my memory, Carter loved sweets as much as his life! He always said he hated bitter things like black coffee.

I fidgeted in my seat, second-guessing myself. Maybe I was remembering some old interview, or maybe I’d just made it up in my head.

“Carter’s favorite color?”

“Red.”

“Ahem. Marissa, are you too excited from watching coconut unboxing? Need a minute to recover?” the host teased gently.

Obviously, I got it wrong again.

The comments started coming in hot:

“So annoying, if you want to hype a ship, at least do your homework!”

“Marissa, didn’t she debut as Carter’s fangirl? Basic stuff.”

“Host, stop saving Marissa’s face—look at her, so heartless, no gratitude at all.”

The vibe in the room shifted fast—suddenly it felt like a crusade against me. And honestly, they weren’t wrong. I did do my homework, but in the moment, my brain just blanked. I irritably smacked my forehead. Before I could finish, Carter grabbed my wrist.

“Marissa is not wrong.”

His voice was calm but firm, and for a split second, the chat just froze. Even the host looked up, surprised.

“Did Marissa put a spell on you? So many people know your preferences, and only she is right? Ridiculous!”

“Stupid couple, she’s right and we’re wrong, okay?”

“Wife is always right! Damn, I’m shipping this, I’ll eat my car keys.”

“Unbelievable, Marissa’s love is love, fans’ love is rotten cabbage, huh?”

“Head pats! I want to be Carter’s puppy, get head pats from Carter!”

“Refuse to let people slander CJ, OK?”

The chat was on fire, everyone arguing again because of Carter’s words.

My throat tightened. I... am not wrong?

“That was my former preference.”

Carter’s short sentence made the chat explode with curiosity.

Why... former?

I sniffled, not even sure why, but I couldn’t stop the tears welling up. I felt so raw, like a puppy left out in the rain, only to realize its owner was always right there behind it.

The host leaned in, ready to dig, but Carter spoke up first:

“It was before, and it’s still true now.”

When he said it, his eyes sparkled like he was sharing a secret with the universe. It wasn’t just about coffee. It was about something that survived, even after you thought it was gone.

The whole room seemed to breathe out at once. Even the chat softened, sending rows of hearts and crying GIFs.

Viewers aren’t unreasonable. Since Carter confirmed my answer, they let it go. As they chatted, the host turned to Carter:

“So, Carter, what’s your ideal partner like?”