Mike the Moose won, with Binna Chu coming in second. Other than the Ginger Beast (who is pouting under a palm tree), the film crew, and myself, everyone is having a terrific time. Well, I can’t say for certain if Theo is having fun because I refuse to look at him. But of the people Ihavelooked at, everyone else seems to be in full party mode. The celebrations have been going on for close to an hour while I’ve been helping the crew dismantle the sets. Not that they need my help, but staying busy is the perfect way to avoid Carolina and Theo, who, let’s face it, wouldn’t be caught dead lifting a finger.
Vincent hands me a drink, which I wasn’t sure he was going to do. I kind of figured they were both for him. “A shining star, in fact. As such, you get to taste the winning cocktail.”
He hands me a Mike the Moose Tropical Storm—light rum, fresh squeezed mango and passion fruit juices, 7UP, and jackass bitters. I give him a grateful smile, even though I’m not entirely over what he said about and to me this morning. By that, I mean I’m still pissed at him and fighting the urge to slap that pompadour right off his head.
I sip the cold drink and revel in the sweet yet tangy flavour, knowing I had a hand in its creation. “It’s delicious.”
“Right?” Vincent tips back his glass and polishes it off. “Listen, I know things didn’t go all that well this morning at that meeting, and I feel bad that I took a run at you.”
“I hardly noticed,” I lie.
“Really? Because I was pretty angry. And rude. I get so freaked out on filming days. The stress of having everything on my shoulders turns me into a monster sometimes. Anyway, I felt bad. And I also want to thank you for everything. You found the perfect spot for the event, and you were right about the scavenger hunt cards.” Cupping the side of his mouth, he says, “It literally would’ve taken weeks for these bozos to find anything if it weren’t for you.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
Or at least I would have been glad if my career path hadn’t been swallowed up by a giant sinkhole this morning. I’m as bitter as these jackass bitters, which, it turns out, are really freaking bitter.
He walks away, only to stop and turn. “Oh, and sorry about that thing I said about you and Theo having a lovers’ quarrel. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
Sure you did. “Yeah, I was surprised you said that actually. Especially since I was under the impression he and Carolina are a couple.”
Yeah, I said it, Carolina. I spilled your secret. What are you going to do about it?
Vincent’s eyes light up, and he moves closer, lowering his voice to a near-whisper. “I’d say that’s more of a pipe dream than a reality. As in Carolina’s dreaming about his pipe.”
Shocked, I burst out laughing, and Vincent shushes me. “You cannot ever repeat that. She’d hate me forever if she knew.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks, sweetie. And sorry again,” he says, leaning in and giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for putting up with me these past few weeks. I know I can be a lot to handle.”
“You’re welcome,” I tell him, and this time I’m not lying. It takes a big person to admit when he’s wrong. Unlikesomepeople I better not think about right now, for fear of my stupid eyes leaking again. How could Theo stand there and defend his choice to call me out as not being management material? Seriously, how? Because he’s a jerk, that’s how.
I finish my drink, wishing there was more coming, then busy myself collecting the used cocktail glasses and boxing them up. The entire time I wish for this day to be over so I can get back home and have a good cry. Or, even better, see if Hadley’s free this evening so I can go to her place and have a big cry there. My life is in shambles, and I’ve got far too much to tell her to hold it all in.
But for now I need to stop thinking about any of it. I refuse to cry in front of Theo and Carolina ever again. I’m going to hold my head high and be the professional I am, knowing they’ll both be out of my life forever in a matter of hours.
* * *
I was on the last boat back to Santa Valentina. The resort used two of the catamarans, as well as theRogue Fun, but with so many crew members, two trips were needed. You know who wasn’t on the last trip? The VIPs. It was just like the Titanic—the rich people got off first, because that’s how life goes.
Whatever. It’s probably for the best, since I didn’t have to have an awkward ride back with them. Also, somehow being the last one to leave lets me feel like I did my job well from start to finish, with one giant hiccup that will haunt me for years to come.
The walk from the dock to Building C seems impossible. My entire body is heavy and my feet drag. I’m going to get my handbag and go straight home. I’m too exhausted to cry on Hadley’s shoulder. I need to fall into bed and sleep for twelve hours straight.
When I get to my desk, I see the last person I ever thought would be here.
Kat. For once, she’s not on her phone. Instead, she’s sitting staring off into space with her mouth turned down, her face red and blotchy.
“Kat?” I ask. “What are you doing here?”
She looks up, hope filling her eyes when she sees me. “Oh, Nora, I need your help. I’ve made a huge mistake.” Her voice cracks. “And I don’t know how to fix it.”
I close my eyes for a second, completely out of patience for her. “You mean about the booze order? Because I already took care of it. Thanks for that, by the way. You cost me my promotion.”
Her face goes blank. “What?”
“The email you were supposed to send when I was stranded at Eden overnight?”
