Page 90 of (Not So) Famous in Paradise

She’s halfway to her car when I remember the permit and chase after her.

I catch her as she’s sliding behind the wheel. “Where can I get the application? Is it on the city website or something?”

Her mouth pinches with amusement, even though I haven’t said anything funny. “Pick it up at the city offices,” She glances at her watch. “But you’ll have to hurry. We close early on Tuesdays.”

“Early?”

“Around two o’clock, give or take.” She slides into her car, lips still pressed together, holding back her villainous cackle of victory…probably.

Okay, maybe I’m being overly dramatic, but there’s no denying Darlene Voglmeyer is pure evil.

Or, at the very least, super annoying.

I check the time on my phone and realize what Darlene thinks is funny. It’s one-fifteen.

She pulls out of the driveway, so I can’t see her cackle, but I swear I hear it.

As soon as she’s out of sight, I fast walk-limp to the house. I’ve got to tell Ike that shooting will have to pause while I get the permit thing figured out. Hopefully, it won’t take long.

I almost laugh out loud at that thought. Nothing in government moves fast, but in Paradise it barely moves at all. By the time this stupid permit goes through, Darlene will have snaked her way into a starring role onAt Home with Georgia Rose.

When I get to the open doorway, I hear everyone else is in the kitchen and main living area, talking, laughing, getting ready for our next shots. I don’t hear Zach’s voice, but Ike gives him directions, so I know he’s there.

Despite the urgency I feel, I stop before going inside. The words I said to Zach run on repeat in my head, their sharpness pricking me with regret.

The only reason Zach is even here—on this set, by my side—is to help me. That’s what he does. He helps people. It’s probably his best trait, but also his biggest weakness when it turns into a need to rescue. He should have been a fireman or policeman or EMT. Any profession that requires rescuing. Then he wouldn’t have to make it a hobby.

Instead of talking to me about the permit problems, he tried to rescue me. But what happens when I don’t need his help anymore? Is his attraction for me now, after all these years, based partly on the fact I needed him for this show?

That might work for someone else, but not me. My best quality is my independence. I’ve honed that trait, using it to build a successful business and a happy life as a single woman. Being an outsider in Paradise with a mom who always had her own stuff going on taught me to take care of myself.

I don’t need rescuing. Ever.

So how long will it take Zach to figure out I don’tneedhim in the way he needs to be needed? What happens with us when he does?

“Where’s Georgia?” Ike yells from the other room.

I take a deep breath and push away from the door frame. “Coming!” I call back and walk into the other room.

Ike takes one look at me and frowns. “What happened to your makeup?”

“Nothing. That’s not important right now.” My eyes dart to Zach, and my whole face is on fire. Zach’s mouth twitches, and my heart skips with the thought that he’s not mad at me. But that hope gets drowned by the questions whirlpooling in my brain.

“We’re going to have to shut down for the day,” I say to Ike, and the half-smile on Zach’s face disappears. “City offices close at two. I’ve got to get the permit taken care of.”

Ike stares at me like I’m speaking gibberish. “Are you crazy? We can’t shut down for the day. Let the network’s lawyers handle all of this…” he waves his hand in front of his face like he’s swatting away a bug. “We’ve got shooting that has to happen today. The light coming in through the windows is perfect. I don’t want to lose it.”

Ike turns his back to me, circling like he’s looking for someone. “Amber, fix Georgia’s face, will you?” He yells and circles again. “Amber?”

My eyes dart to Zach. Of course letting the network’s lawyers handle everything is the obvious solution. I should have thought of it to begin with.

The problem is, Paradise won’t like it. I’ll look like the bad guy—a local girl who’s gone big city, bringing in lawyers to handle a problem that could be taken care of over a cup of coffee at Britta’s.

Zach’s brow creases and tiny wrinkles pop out at the corners of his eyes. He doesn’t like Ike’s solution any more than I do.

Don’t worryhe mouths.

He smiles softly, but with a confidence I decide to trust. With an exhale, I let go of my worry.

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