Page 35 of One Time in Paris
“Tomorrow morning. You?”
“Not for another day.” He was glad he’d given himself some margin. Hopefully, he could talk to Isla more freely once Callum was gone.
“I’m surprised at your level of commitment to this,” Callum remarked with a chuckle. “Still can’t see how it makes any sense for Camden Enterprises to bankroll something like this.”
Yeah, I haven’t figured that part out either.
Fact of the matter was, he’d cut the first sponsorship check out of his own personal savings. He’d reached out to his financial adviser about finding the best way to handle any of this. “I know. On the surface, it all seems a bit illogical. But what can I say? I have a soft spot for the Scott siblings.”
“You know, maybe you can help me, too. Since you’re such a devoted investor in travel televisionand all. How involved are you going to be?”
“Not sure what my schedule will allow for. But some, obviously.”
“Then can you do me a favor?”
Aiden leaned forward in his chair, the few chips he’d eaten feeling like lead in his stomach. “Anything.”
“Keep an eye on Isla for me, will you? She may or may not forgive me tonight, and I could use someone I trust watching over her.”
Holding Callum’s gaze was damn near an impossibility right now. “Of course,” he said with a taut smile. Then more softly, almost to himself, he repeated, “Of course.”
15
ISLA
“So,you didn’t talk to Callum before he left?” Davy asked as Isla sat in front of the mirror for hair and makeup.
“Nope. I’m not ready to talk to him.” Isla shrugged and lifted her chin as Molly, the makeup artist, brushed some powder onto her neckline.
“I get it. I’d be furious too. Boyd and Antony are singing his praises, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. Chauvinists.”
Isla cut her eyes with disgust. She didn’t care if Tomas had two billion social media followers. And maybe,maybeif Callum had bothered to suggest the idea to herfirst,she would have considered it.
But for him to go over her head?
That was completely unacceptable. Not to mention unprofessional.
I feel so undermined.
A tap on the door redirected her attention. Boyd poked his head in the trailer. “Ready to go?”
“Give me two minutes,” Molly called, reaching for another brush.
“Tim already got the mic and camera on you, though?” Boyd asked Isla.
She nodded, a flutter of nerves going through her. “Yup, I’m all set.”
Boyd smiled, then moved out of sight again.
“Hey, hand me that stack of index cards over there,” Isla said, pointing at a nearby table. She’d taken the time last night to write down the scripted parts on the cards to help her memorize the facts about the wine festival. “We’re starting at the Eiffel Tower, right?”
Davy nodded. “We have about five hours before the VIP reception for the wine festival this afternoon. The town is super excited about the feature on the show, so they’re pulling out all the stops. Locals are nice.”
The trailer door opened again, and Boyd stepped through, this time carrying a clipboard. He looked straight at Isla. “Quick question. Could you give Aiden these? He’s riding over to the Eiffel Tower with you. Just in case he’s in any shots if he’s hanging around the set, he needs to sign release papers.” He winked at Isla and handed her the clipboard. “Thanks, love. I’m heading over there now.”
“Why’s Aiden staying?” Davy asked as Boyd left again. “I can appreciate the fact that he’s interested in seeing what this is all about, but between him, Callum, and Tomas popping in out of the blue—” She sighed. “I know I’m only a lowly producer on this, but I just hate it when I feel so out of the loop.”
“I have no idea. It does rather feel like the men have all taken over this show, doesn’t it? I’m surprised Boyd didn’t tell you about Tomas, though. You’d think he would have done that at the very least.”
