Page 47 of One Time in Paris
Not just a travel focus. A human element, too.
“What if...what if we frame this episode a little differently?” Isla asked in a cautious tone.
“What do you mean?” Davy stood and picked up the muffin box, and Isla joined her as she headed back.
“I mean, this is basically a reality show. A travel documentary, sure, but there are three hosts on it now. What if this episode focused a bit more heavily on something like my relationship with Tomas to fill the gaps from the lack of location? Tomas is a good actor, and he and I could play something up and add some drama, which might keep people invested on a different level.”
Davy didn’t answer for a moment but studied Isla’s profile. “I don’t know. The Travelog Channel might not approve it.”
“Sure they would. They have a handful of other shows that fit the profile. And all the networks do it. Think about it—what madeFixer Upper? Not the amazing house flips. It was Chip and Joanna Gaines. OrThe Crocodile Hunter?Steve Irwin was a god. That’s why people tuned in. To seehim.” Isla smiled confidently. “I’m not saying I’m on their level, but between Tomas and me, we could stir up enough interestinghumandynamics to keep people’s interest, don’t you think?”
Davy still looked hesitant. “Do you really think so?”
“It’s worth a shot.” Isla reached over and poked Davy in the ribs. “And I’ll even let you take all the credit. Pitch it to Boyd and see what he says. Maybe it can be something like ...Tomas and I are arguing about something, and the trip is ‘wearing on us.’ I don’t know.”
Turning toward Isla, Davy gave her a grateful expression. “Have I ever told you I love you?”
“Thank me if it works,” Isla said, then eyed the muffins in the box. “Save me one of those blueberry muffins, by the way. They look amazing.”
“You can grab it out if you want.” Davy turned toward her and opened the box.
Isla pulled one out with a grin. “I’m going to find Kyle. Let me know how it goes. Keeping my fingers crossed.”
Hurrying back toward the festival, she found Kyle near a sign announcing a rubber duck race. “Didn’t you get something to eat?” she asked him, holding out the muffin. “I stole this from Davy if you want to split it.”
Kyle smiled and pulled a large chunk of it from the liner. “Did you know you can win five hundred dollars if you win this rubber duck race they’re doing?”
“Oh yeah? You going to enter?”
“At ten dollars a duck, it’s a steal. How many ducks should I get? Ten?”
She shook her head at him, taking a bite of the sweet muffin. “No,” she said, then swallowed. “It’s a good thing you didn’t go to Vegas with me. You’re the type of person who gets stuck at the slot machines losing all their money because it’s ‘only a quarter.’”
Kyle gave a look of feigned insult. “I’ll have you know I can play poker with the best of them.”
“Don’t believe it. You wear your heart on your sleeve, Kyle Winnick.” Isla looped arms with him and tugged him toward the crew. “Speaking of which, how good do you think your acting chops really are?”
He let out an exaggerated puff of air, letting his lips vibrate. “Pork chops, I’m good at. Acting chops...not so much.”
“So clever with those corny jokes.” She took another bite of muffin. “The reason I ask is because we might have to actually do some acting here. Make our personalities shine a little brighter, given how small this town is.”
“Does that lady have a goat on a leash?” Kyle asked, eyebrows lifting.
Isla sneaked a glance, then pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. “It’s not funny. We’re here to highlight this town.”
“It’skind offunny.” Kyle tore another piece from her muffin. “I think it’s great, too. All towns have their quirks. It’s part of what I love so much about beach life in Samara. Different beat of life—people like Juan at the pulperia who knows what I’m going to buy before I even walk up to the counter.”
One of the assistant directors approached them with a clipboard. “Boyd wants to talk to you two.”
They followed her across the parking lot toward where the production crew had gathered. Tomas was already there, seated in a fold-out chair beside Boyd. Davy stood a few feet away but didn’t meet Isla’s eyes.
“Glad you could join us,” Boyd said, barely glancing up. He tapped his thumb on his clipboard. “Where have you been?”
“We were just checking out the festival,” Kyle said with a confidence that Isla didn’t feel. Boyd was clearly in a rotten mood. But Isla also knew he’d given Davy a dressing down and made her cry, so she wasn’t about to piss him off further.
“Well, don’t check it out too much. Given the lineup, you’ll have completed the whole festival before we get the cameras rolling.”
Ouch.
