Page 48 of One Time in Paris
Davy seemed to wilt more.
Boyd stood, scratching his forehead. “All right. New plan. As suggested by ourtrustyproducer, today’s segment will focus on the relationship dynamics between Tomas and Isla. I’m going to give everyone ten minutes while I sit and discuss this with the actors. Do not be late coming back.”
Isla bit her lower lip. No wonder Davy had been crying. Boyd was unapologetically rude.
As the crew wandered off, Tim snuck over to her side. “There a reason your equipment is off?” He moved around her to check the battery pack.
Hehadnoticed. “Oh, sorry about that.”
“In general, don’t mess with the equipment. Especially on a day when Boyd’s ready to blow his top.” Tim said it kindly, but Isla shifted with discomfort.
What would a set be without drama, though? That went hand in hand with the creatives she’d always enjoyed spending time with so much.
Though maybe I never noticed it quite as much as I am now.
Isla moved closer to Boyd, then took a chair opposite him. Kyle sat beside her.Thank goodness Kyle is here.She appreciated him now more than ever. She’d enjoyed the carefree banter between them this morning, although it had cemented one extremely valid point. And that was that sadly, Callum had been correct. The banter she and Kyle shared resembled close siblings, and she doubted she could have sold their friendship as anything else. Not that she’d tell Callum that, of course.
After a few heavy beats of silence, Boyd looked Isla directly in the eye. “Here’s what I’m thinking, but it might take some filming outside this Paris location. You’re going to London in a couple of weeks, right, Isla? Kyle, too?”
“Yes, but it’s for my brother’s and Kyle’s sister’s post-elopement party. We won’t be able to work,” Isla said, exchanging a glance with Kyle.
“What type of party?” Boyd asked. “Big? Small?”
Isla frowned.
What is he getting at?
“Something fancy. They had an intimate elopement over Christmas rather than a big wedding, so this is the celebration for the friends and family who didn’t attend.”
“That’s perfect, actually. Do you think your brother would let us bring a camera in? Something small and mobile in addition to the one on you?”
Isla’s jaw dropped.
This is not what I suggested.
“I-I have no idea,” she stammered. “He’s fairly private.”Understatement.“I doubt he’d want his personal business?—”
“The thing is,” Boyd said, glancing over at Tomas. “I’m thinking we could start some drama in your relationship here. Something that might not get solved right away, that will make viewers want to come back for more episodes after having been exposed to the dullness we offered them in exploring the town. We’ll continue to escalate the drama in the next episode, film a quick segment of you and Tomas in London before the party, then cut to something like the two of you dancing at the party—happy once more—and then move onto the loveliness,hopefully, of Paris, Maine—then wrap with the two of you happily ever after in France with all the drama in the past.”
Isla’s fingers curled in her lap, a flush heating her face.
No.
Not a chance.
Callum wouldn’t be all right with that. She didn’t have to ask. He wouldhate it.
But Davy looks so miserable.
Then again, Callum owed her. He’d been groveling for the past week, askingwhathe could do to make it up to her. That he’d do whatever it took.
Maybe this might have to be what it took.
“Tomas isn’t invited to the party,” she managed weakly, her gut already screaming that this was a bad idea.
“The production can probably cover the cost,” Boyd said like that was the issue.“And he doesn’t need to be there for the whole thing. Just a quick shot of you two happily dancing the night away.”
Isla looked at Tomas, who held her gaze. His lips twitched—not quite a smirk, but close.
