She shakes her head. “Of course not, Mrs. Kernos. Please relax. Make yourself comfortable. I’m Anna, Mr. Kernos’s personal chef. It’s my job to make you both breakfast. I do hope you like buckwheat pancakes.”
I nod dumbly. I wasn’t aware up until this moment that you could get buckwheat pancakes. They sound... healthy. But I’m hardly going to complain if someone else is cooking for me, and they do actually smell delicious.
Ronan slides open the glass doors and joins me at the breakfast bar just as his chef slides two pancakes onto a plate in front of me. “Thanks, Anna. Sorry for the last minute changes. I appreciate your flexibility.”
“No problem.”
He puts his hand on the back of my chair and I think for all the world he’s about to lean down and kiss me. Then he sighs.“I’m just waiting for the film crew to film this morning and then I’m off to work, but I’ve lined up some things for you to do today.”
I stifle a yawn as Anna sets down a tiny jug with something bright purple inside and skillfully cuts a strawberry into a tiny fan. “What time is it?”
Ronan rolls his eyes. “I know! It’s seven o’clock already. Ridiculous. I assume you sent them my schedule.”
My sleep fogged brain tries to put the pieces together and then remembers I’m supposed to be his assistant. “Um... I think so.”
He grunts. “I don’t know what’s keeping them.”
At a knock at the door, he huffs. “Finally.” Then he strides off to answer it. There’s a flurry of action as five people and about five hundred bags and crates come through the door. Someone starts applying makeup to my face while I’m trying to cut my pancakes.
Surreal.
I always imagined reality TV would be just a touch more glamorous.
I guess maybe I’m the one who’s not glamorous. It didn’t even occur to me to put on makeup before breakfast.
I lift a forkful of food to my mouth and Amy stops me. “Just hold on a sec until we’ve got all the lights set up.”
I pause, bite halfway to my mouth. I’m already anxious for this evening when it will just be me and Ronan again.
Ronan perches next to me on the stool and Anna hands him a coffee. She sets one down in front of me as well and I give her a grateful smile. “Aren’t you going to eat any breakfast?” I ask Ronan.
He scoffs. “I had it hours ago.”
“A few more minutes, Mr. Kernos. Do you think you could pretend to eat breakfast? For the cameras.”
He sighs.
“Why don’t you tell Justine what you have planned for today?” she prompts.
“Hmm. Well as I mentioned, I’ve lined up a couple of options. I know you enjoyed our spa on Northpoint Island, so I’ve made a reservation for you at Opal Dayspa—”
“Oh, I can’t afford—”
“My treat.” He smiles. “And a friend of mine at Hasser Publishing mentioned that there’s a book signing event this afternoon over at the flagship store. He extended an invitation to you as a favor to me. Something about a Duke. I’ve never heard of the author, so don’t feel obliged to go if there’s something you’d rather do.”
I stare at him. “Doing the Duke of Danger? By Rosaline Hargrove? Oh, my god, Ronan, it’s not that is it?”
He shrugs. “I think it might be. Why? Let me look it up.” He brings out his phone and glances down at the screen, but I can’t help myself. I grab his arm.
He blinks up at me in surprise.
“Rosaline Hargrove! My favorite author of all time ever!”
He holds out the screen for me to see. “It appears so. I’m glad you’re excited.”
I should let go of him. I know I should. He’s looking at me funny. Only I can’t. My grip only tightens in my excitement.
“Oh, my god. I think I’m going to throw up and pass out both at once.”