“Agreed. I'll stop just short of prostituting myself. Maybe just some heavy petting or a blowie,” I say, then laugh at my own joke. I wait until I’m pretty sure Harrison is on the verge of bursting all the blood vessels in his face, then say, “I’m kidding, obviously. Listen, at the moment, none of us knows anything other than the fact that he's injured, he's on some very good pain meds, and he is under what sounds like an insane deadline. Why don't we all take the evening to think about options, and I'll make him the world's greatest breakfast in the morning, go up and see how he's feeling, and try to get a sense of what he’s going to do.”
“I don't know,” Libby says. “I think we should try to get out in front of this thing,”
“I agree with Emma,” Twyla says. “This call is costing you alotof money when really you may not have a problem at all. Although, it would be wildly unrealistic of you to think youwon’thave a problem, but if we discuss it during my regular business hours, it’ll be much more affordable.”
“Okay, thanks, Twyla,” Harrison says, his tone anything but grateful. “Why don’t you ring off? Emma, stay on the line for a minute. We have a few more things to talk about.”
“Okay, good luck you guys,” Twyla says, her tone sounding facetious.
There’s a click, then Harrison says, “Listen, Emma, I think Libby and I should end our vacation early and be out there tomorrow morning to meet with Mr. Davenport. That would show we’re concerned about what happened and how he's doing.”
“Harrison, seriously, I've got this,” I say firmly. “When I bring his breakfast, I’ll tell him you intended to come but I told you that the last thing he needs right now is more interruptions. I'll do whatever I can to encourage him to stick it out for the entire two months—without resorting to prostitution, I promise.”
There’s a loud sigh that I recognize as Harrison's, then he says, “Will you call as soon as you've seen him tomorrow morning?”
“Absolutely. In the meantime, enjoy your holiday.”
* * *
When I get off the phone, I polish off the rest of my wine and sit staring out the window into the black night sky. My stomach churns when I think about all the things that could go wrong here. How the hell did I end up with the future of the resort resting firmly onmyshoulders?
The worst of it is that Alfred the Pius might be right. I may have let my irritation for Pierce lead us to ruin.
Pouring another glass of wine, my mind races through a number of horrifying scenarios, all of which end in me selling fish tacos from a truck by the side of the highway. No matter what, I have to prevent that from happening. Even if it means being stuck out here on this island for another seven excruciatingly awful weeks with Mr. and Mrs. McJudgy.
The fact is, this is my mess and I have to clean it up. I can totally do this. I willnotlet an iguana take my family down. Or some rich guy…who happens to think I have the prettiest eyes he’s ever seen and thinks I’d keep a man on his toes and I’d rock a superhero costume. So what if he’s rich and sophisticated and talented? He’s a man. And he’s clearly into me. All I have to do is use that to my advantage.
Now, where can I find a Catwoman costume to serve breakfast in?
* * *
Text from Priya:OMG! Call me now!
Me:Can't right now. Just on a conference call with Harrison, Libby, and the lawyer.
Priya:Have you seen the photos of you and Mr. Fantasy?
Me:I may have peeked, yes.
Priya:Call me ASAP. I have to know EVERYTHING.
17
A Leap of Faith
Pierce
“Welcome to the ABN Weekend Entertainment Update. I'm Veronica Platt, and joining me is Giles Bigly with the latest shocking news aboutClash of Crownscreator Pierce Davenport, who apparently has been attacked by some sort of wild animal whilst vacationing in the Benavente Islands. Giles, what seems to be happening?”
Giles sighs deeply. “Well, Veronica, you’ve basically just given the story away again, haven’t you?”
“Not at all, Giles. Just introducing it for our viewers at home.”
Giles glares for a moment, tightening his jaw. “Yes, it would appear that there is some big, and not necessarily good, news today for all of the Crownies out there who’ve been impatiently waiting for the final installment of theClash of Crownsseries. As you probably know, Pierce Davenport, who at one point was dubbed ‘Avonia’s Greatest Literary Treasure,’ is now well over a year late in publishing the final book on which the television show is based. This not only has been a source of huge financial losses for his publisher, Sullivan and Stone, but is also wreaking havoc over at the NBO studios where crew and cast members sit idly waiting to film the final season.
“While fans and studio executives alike reportedly believed he’s been holed up in his upper east-side luxury apartment here in Valcourt, he actually has been on vacation in the Benavente Islands where he was attacked by some sort of wild animal. According to one witness who was in the waiting room at San Filipe Hospital where Mr. Davenport was spotted, he appeared to have broken his hand and also had several severe lacerations.”
“Shocking, Giles. Any word on what type of animal could have done this damage?”
