Page 44 of (Not So) Famous in Paradise

“No you told him he didn’t have to be here today. Why?” I grow even more suspicious when Ike loops his arm around mine and walks me toward the house.

“I just got off the phone with the producers.” The giddiness in his voice should be more of a comfort than a worry. “They’re thrilled with what’s happening on your social media. People love you and Zach together.”

“So I’ve been told,” I say drily.

“The producers want to see more of you two.” The closer we get to the house, the more Ike’s already loud voice rises to be heard over the commotion inside.

I stop outside the doorway, wondering if he’s in cahoots with Evie and Britta. Logically, that makes no sense, but this conversation seems to be headed in a similar direction to the one I just had with them. “What are you saying, Ike? You know Zach and I aren’t together, right? We’re just friends.”

“I know that, and you know that.” Ike points to his own chest, then mine. “But your followers don’t. And they’re the ones we want to keep happy so when the show releases in August, they’ll watch.”

“What are you asking, Ike?” We step inside where Adam and his crew are swinging sledgehammers and using electric saws to tear out the kitchen. Stella is taking pictures from a safe distance while Nick films.

“The producers want you to play up the idea that you and Zach are together,” he yells as the saws and hammers go still so everyone within a three-mile radius hears Ike sayyou and Zach are together.

“You are?” Adam lowers his saw and smiles. Actually smiles. “That’s great! I was wondering when it would happen.”

“We’re not together. Not even close.” I step away from Ike, putting distance between me and whatever crazy plan he’s got cooked up.

“Well, you’re doing a good job of making everyonewonderif you are, so why not take it one step further and make thembelieveyou are?” Ike looks to Adam’s crew and his own like he thinks they may back him up.

I shoot a glare toward Stella who, I swear, is trying not to smile. But all this is her fault. She’s the one putting the pictures up. She’s the one framing the story for my social media accounts.

“This is not a conversation I want to be a part of.” Adam digs airPods out of his pocket and puts them in. “But it’s a great idea.” He smirks, then yells, “Back to work, boys!”

Nick’s camera goes back up, and I point Ike to the back of the house away from the noise and the cold air streaming through the open doors keeping us all from being swallowed up in dust.

“Listen,” Ike says when we’re in the bedroom. “Here’s the idea: you create the illusion of a romance building between you and Zach. You’re not only revitalizing Little Copenhagen, you’re falling in love as you do it.”

His face splits into a grin, like he’s just solved the problem of world hunger.

I donotreturn his smile, even though the idea isn’t a terrible one. It’s actually pretty good. Romance and home reno combined? Who wouldn’t want to watch that? It’s like the first time someone thought to dip strawberries into chocolate to create the perfect dessert combination.

“Shouldn’t you be directing what’s going on in front of the camera right now instead of trying to direct my life?” That’s as close as I can get to saying no.

Ike laughs. “Nick can handle getting demo shots without me for a few minutes.” Then he moves to the door. “But you’re on board, right? I’ll talk to Zach about it tomorrow.”

At Zach’s name, I realize I have to say no, but all I can do is shake my head.

“Are you saying no?” Ike’s hand drops from the doorknob. “Why?”

I bite my lip before answering. “Zach’s on his way to propose to his girlfriend right now.”

Ike slowly closes his eyes, then pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers. “Why in the world would he do that, right now, when we’re about to strike gold?”

“I don’t know,” I answer slowly. “I guess he’s in love.”

The disappointment in Ike’s face mimics what’s happening in the pit of my stomach. Except it’s not just the lost opportunity of high ratings that I’m mourning.

Nothing will be the same after today.

Chapter 16

Zach

Usually, I love driving from Paradise to the “big city” of Florence. The highway rises out of Paradise Valley into the Black Mountains that keep our valley both protected and isolated. Then the road winds through trees and a canyon of rock and granite, following the Cobalt River to the larger Antelope Valley where Florence has had room to spread and fill with people.

But today, my stomach swirls, like I might be carsick. Instead of enjoying the

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