Page 30 of One Time in Paris
“A kept man,” he repeated with a scoffing laugh. “I’ve been looking at buying several other properties—mostly in Scotland and Ireland. One in France. I want to make short-term rentals of them. I’ve enjoyed the administrative side ofLa Hacienda, but I think my next properties aren’t going to be quite so difficult for me to get to.”
The defensiveness in his tone told her the tension between them wasn’t just imagined. He felt it as much as she did.I hate it, too.
“So, whatareyou doing here?” She crossed her arms.
“Actually”—Callum cleared his throat, then glanced back at the ride-share car he must have come in—“I’ve brought someone. An alternative—and more logical choice—for your boyfriend problem for this show.”
Boyfriend problem? What?
Isla furrowed her brow as the door to the sedan opened.. .and Tomas stepped out.
Her heart slammed into her ribs as she glanced at the beautiful, tall Black man she’d been dating casually in London right before she’d moved to Costa Rica. A fellow actor. Both had agreed to go their separate ways, and oddly, she’d been fine with that.
So. ..what the hell?
“Isla, darling.” Tomas flashed her a smile and sauntered toward her. He pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Isla’s lips parted as she gave Callum a hard stare, her heart pounding.
“I ran into Tomas on the Strand the other day. We got to talking about your project...” Callum’s voice took on a smug note that immediately set Isla’s teeth on edge.
“I mentioned you needed a boyfriend for the show, and well”—he gestured toward Tomas with satisfaction—“problem solved.”
Isla could barely think straight, her anger mounting. She whirled toward Davy, who still stood at the trailer door, watching.
Does Davy know about this?
She gave Isla a baffled look.
“I spoke to Antony Lugazi. He was thrilled with the idea of bringing on another known actor to the production,” Callum said behind her.
Isla’s pulse pounded in her ears.
How dare he?
She turned toward Callum, her fingers clenching. “You went over me? Over Davy? I told you we had the whole situation figured out.” She flicked a glance at Tomas.
Tomas flashed his easy grin, completely unperturbed, and Isla’s stomach twisted. How could he even be here?
“No offense, Tomas?—”
“None taken.”
Shock barely had time to settle before fury erupted.
Isla stepped closer to Callum, seething. “You had no right to take this into your own hands. Kyle is in there right now, and he’s flown from Nashville, interrupted his life?—”
“And you should have asked your sister-in-law, yourbrother,hell, anyone in your family how we might feel about you masquerading around in public with a fellowfamilymember for a television show,” Callum shot back, his face reddening, “before you made the plans. You two are like siblings—you can’t act like a couple. I’m shocked you’d even be comfortable with the pretense.”
“Kyle’s not family, Callum. That’s the point.” Isla gaped at him. “And I don’t need to ask permission for something like that. It’s between Kyle and me.” She glanced back toward the trailer, hoping against hope that Kyle wouldn’t have heard all this commotion.
But he had.
He stood beside Davy, watching the scene, an uncertain look on his face.
“Maybe he’s not family toyou.But he’s my brother-in—” Callum stiffened, his gaze locking on something behind Isla. “What is he doing here?”
Isla shook her head. “I told you. Kyle came?—”
