Gran’s jaw drops, and she stares at me. For what may be the first time in her eighty-seven years, she seems speechless.
“I leave on Thursday for filming in a secret location. I’ll be gone for a week, maybe two, then I’ll come home and get back to business as usual, only I’ll have shown the world I’m not nearly as soft as they believe me to be.”
“A secret location? What is that supposed to mean?”
“Somewhere secret,” I answer.
“Where? Here in Avonia?”
“I don’t think so. The show generally films in rather…remote places like Antarctica or the Amazon rainforest.”
Tilting her head, she says, “So, you’re expecting to up and disappearin two days? Just wipe your schedule of everything, leaving all those foundations in the lurch—with no notice—so you can go off gallivanting in the wilderness with some man we don’t know from Adam.”
“I’m sure it can all be sorted out. Tessa and Arthur could each take on a few of my events…and I thought you might be willing to help, since this was your idea in the first place.”
“It most certainly was not! I meant paint your nails dark green or… or wear three-inch heels and see if you can get away with it. Not go live out in the wilderness somewhere eating bugs and trekking through swamp-infested, disease-ridden forests and contract malaria while simultaneously humiliating the family.”
“Oh.” My shoulders drop. “I thought you meant a real risk.”
“Well for you, green nail polishwould’ve beena real risk. You're quite possibly the most sheltered and conservative person I've ever met. Why would you even consider this?”
He's cute. And he made me laugh. “You told me to do something big.”
Pursing her lips, Gran says, “Do you mean someonebig?”
“Gran!”
“Oh please. Tell me the thought didn’t cross your mind. He’s hot as hell.”
“Is he?” I shrug, picking up my teacup. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Right, and I’ve just been chosen to be the next team captain for Valcourt United.”
Rolling my eyes, I sigh. “It doesn’t matter how handsome he is because I’m not looking for love. I’m looking for adventure, for some freedom for a change.” I pick at my mushroom galette with my fork, suddenly feeling full. “Besides, I’d never be interested in some man who fancies himself to be Tarzan and goes around eating grubs like they’re popping corn. This is about proving myself to the family and showing that I can handle difficult challenges and…”
“… And seeing what Tarzan has under his loincloth.”
I sit back in my chair and lift my chin. “Since you seem to fancy him so much, maybeyoushould do the show.”
“It’s not theshowI’d want to do. Besides, with my heart condition, I suppose I’ll have to leave him for you. Although, that would be quite a nice way to go out…”
I laugh and shake my head. “You’re terrible.”
“I’m honest,” she says, picking up her fork and knife again. “And to be honest, this is without a doubt the worst idea you’ve ever had. Call the producer and back out. Tell them you’re not allowed and that it would be an unmitigated disaster for your family—which it would be, by the way.”
Disappointment creeps up from my toes to my throat. “You’re right. I’ll call them and cancel it.”
“Good girl. We’ll think of a more suitable opportunity for you to test yourself. Something that doesn’t involve eating bugs or getting killed.”
* * *
I stare at my phone, dreading what I’m about to do. I have to call Dylan Sinclair, one of the most awful human beings on the planet. She worked for my family for a time, making Tessa’s life a living hell before moving on to torture her next victim. Somehow, she must have squirmed her way in at ABN and managed to get herself hired as a showrunner.
If I had known she was on this project, Ineverwould have agreed to it. When I called Kira to say I needed to get out of the contract, she told me I’d have to deal with Dylan directly. So that’s what I guess I’ll do. Misery weighs me down until even the tiny act of pressing send on my mobile feels difficult.
“This is Dylan. How can I improve your day?”
Blech.“Dylan, hello. It’s Princess Arabella.”
