“Your new fishing friend who has recently returned from ten years in space? We need to make sure he’s not fooling.” The arch to Vin’s eyebrow says no good can come from what he has in mind.
“I’m pretty sure we can trust him.”
He snorts. “Like Felicia?”
Oh. Felicia was my personal assistant for about thirty-six hours a couple of years ago. Roberta hired her based on her impeccable resume that included working as a PA for a number of other actors and LA socialites. She even had friends who she’d set up to pretend to be references when Ivy called. The first day was good. The second day, when Felicia’s photographer boyfriend hopped my fence to take pictures of me while I was working out with my trainer in the pool house... not so much.
Still, the idea that Jack is someone who needs testing doesn’t sit well with me. Surely that’s the hotel’s job, not ours. But vetting Felicia was Roberta’s job, and look how that turned out.
“What do you have in mind?” I ask.
Vin grins devilishly as he drains his coffee in a single gulp. “I’m pretty sure it’s time for Horatio to go on a little trip.”
“What? Horatio? No, come on.”
He pouts. “Why not?”
“Because your Spanish accent is terrible.”
“How do you know this guy is for real? What if he takes us out on the water and then refuses to bring us back until he gets a naked selfie with you or a lock of your hair?”
“He’s not like that.” The idea that he could be makes my stomach turn. Being careful and making sure everyone is vetted before I put my trust in them is exhausting. To learn that Jack was lying this morning, that he was playing some game to fuck with me... I’m not sure I could handle the disappointment right now.
“What if I do the Greenpeace bit? He thinks I’m someone important, right?” Vin asks. I wince, but I can see where he’s going with this, even if it makes me uncomfortable. Is it okay to confirm someone’s not lying by lying yourself?
Still, the Greenpeace thing is pretty harmless.
“Fine,” I say. “But no accents.”
Vin crosses his heart. “No accents. Just call me Mr. Morgan.”
