Page 29 of One Time in Paris
Tim lifted a coil of wire. “Davy’s the producer. Her boss, Antony, is executive producer for the studio. Starling is the director.” He closed a case and picked it up. “You’ll get used to all the various roles. We run a small production crew, so most people have multiple jobs. You’ll mostly interact with the film crew. The editing crew—well, that’s all Bartholomew here in the States—will be editing as we travel and while the film crew takes the new location’s A-reel. I’ll be back in a bit to make some adjustments for you, Isla.” He went out the door Davy had gone through, leaving Isla and Kyle alone.
Kyle sank beside Isla. “Is it me or this town a bit ...um...small?”
“I haven’t really seen it, but that was my thought.” Isla grimaced, then rummaged through her purse for a lip gloss. “Yet Davy seems to still be really excited about it.”
“I’m just not sure how we’re supposed to be here for three days. I got here around noon and took a look around.” Kyle rubbed his neck. “This is the type of town where I’m pretty sure you could see everything in a couple of hours.”
“There’s an Eiffel Tower here, though, right?”
“Yeah, complete with a red cowboy hat on top.” Kyle chuckled. “Unsurprisingly.”
Isla reached over and squeezed Kyle’s hand. “Thanks for being here with me, by the way. I know it’s a crazy ask, but it means a lot that you’re willing to be a part of this.”
Kyle shrugged. “Sure. It sounds fun, actually. I mean, I can’t promise I know how to act, but if it’s like a reality show, that shouldn’t be hard. Hopefully. They don’tseemhard anyway.”
Even with the uncertainty of diving into a project like this, Isla relaxed in Kyle’s presence. They’d become good friends over the past couple of years—and since he was atLa Haciendaall the time, it was like he was a piece of home.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be sick of me by the time the next few weeks are over. By the way, I think between the Arkansas and Tennessee episodes, I’m going to stay with Elle and Quinn in Nashville for a few days. Callum didn’t think it was worth it for me to fly back and forth between Costa Rica.”
“Then we can hang there. Though I should point out you’re choosing Elle over me.” Kyle and Liddy’s older sister was the common link between the Camden and Winnick families—Elle and Quinn Camden had met years ago, and, because of that, Liddy had moved to London and started working at Camden Enterprises...and met Callum.
A slightly messy circle, maybe, but their families all felt like one large extended family now, celebrating holidays and special occasions together.
“I’m not choosing her over you. I’m choosing her big, beautiful house over your questionable-smelling one-bedroom apartment,” Isla said with a smirk.
Kyle put his hand over his heart. “The hits just keep coming. Next, you’ll be telling me I have to sleep in a bunk bed with Tim, the tattooed sound guy.”
Acting like they were a couple was going to be tough. ..in a lot of ways, as Kyle really did feel like a younger, far less uptight brother.
The door to the trailer opened once again, and Davy came in—without anyone else. “Hey, Isla...you have a visitor.”
“Visitor?” Isla raised a brow.
“Yeah, he’s outside.” Davy winked and held the door open for her.
After exchanging a curious look with Kyle, Isla rose and headed toward the door.
Then she saw him standing a few feet from the trailer.
Callum.
Isla’s jaw dropped. She hurried down the wobbly trailer steps and across the tarmac. “Callum, what the heck?”
He grinned, then caught her in a tight hug. “Surprised?”
“Shocked.” She shook her head and stepped back, grabbing his hands. “How in the world did you know how to find me?”
“I may have asked Kyle to send me some of the production information.” Callum gave her hands a squeeze. “God, it’s good to see you. I know it’s only been a handful of months, but it always feels like too long.”
“Well, maybe you and Liddy should come down toLa Haciendamore often. It’s not a half-bad spot for a quick holiday.” Her voice was teasing buthopefullyCallum could hear the genuineness of her words. She really did wish he’d come more. That he wouldn’t leave her to do so much at the inn.
And . . . I miss him.
“You know how Liddy’s job is—it’s a miracle if she makes it home before sunset.”
“And you? You still enjoying being a kept man?” Isla poked him in the ribs, once again knowing how easy it would be for Callum to read into her statement.
When Callum had resigned from his job at Camden Enterprises, he’d spent a lot of the first year flying back and forth between Costa Rica whileLa Haciendawas being renovated. But now that the renovation was complete, his trips were often several months apart. She hated that she never saw him now. And Isla wasn’t even surewhatCallum was doing for a job instead.
