Viv followed her onto the porch, realizing how hungry she was as Irene set Viv’s selections—avocado toast, a side of egg whites and feta, and fresh fruit—onto the table. The coffee was next, followed by the silverware and a bright white mug with what looked like a family crest on it.
“Can I get you anything else?” the woman asked.
Viv shook her head. “No, this is beautiful, thank you.”
“Of course. Enjoy.”
Viv let out a sigh of satisfaction as she reached for the coffee pot. Yet, as she heard Irene wheeling her way out of the suite, a thought came to mind.Tip.Was she supposed to pay one? It was a vacation home, sure, not a hotel, but the idea was the same.
“Wait,” she hollered, hurrying back into the suite. “Can I…let me grab my purse really quick.”
The woman shook her head and put out a hand. “No tip, ma’am, thank you. Duke—he pays us more than we can ask. My husband, Sebastian, and I both.”
Viv nodded, somehow not surprised to hear it.
On the agenda today was the photo shoot—which was one of Viv’s favorite parts of the interview process. Seeing how the subject reacted to being the center of attention. Having people dote over them. Prep them. Some were more used to it than others, but their response always gave Viv some added insight to the soul behind the face. The spirit behind the body. And the heart behind the actions.
A rush of excitement filled her chest. A rush that stayed with her throughout her first cup of coffee as she replayed her conversation with Duke on the jet.
She’d been so confident at the time that the feelings between them were mutually laced with romance. But as Viv started on her second mug, thumbing the crest along the heated surface, her assumption started to shift.
After all, just look how kind Duke was to Tiff, Bruce, and Irene too.
Sylvia’s ugly comment ran through her mind once more, accompanied by the vision of that sneer aimed right at Vivia. “In the end, he’ll end up with someone like me. Just watch and see.”
From what she could tell, Duke hadn’t dated many women outside of that social circle.
A sharp knot formed in her gut at the realization. Perhaps she’d just imagined the chemistry. Interpreted friendship for old feelings.
Viv tipped the coffee pot over her mug for the third time, feeling as empty as the mug in that moment. Duke had been cool about her being a mom because it wouldn’t affect him one way or another. He wasn’t interested in her that way, she was sure of it now.
Yes, he’d said she was his biggest regret. Probably just because he was a genuinely kind guy who didn’t want to hurt anyone.
She lowered the pot back to the table, opting out of the third cup altogether.
Viv could hear her mom muttering one of her favorite expressions:Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, mia cara.
So what if that’s all this was—an adventure on a private island with fine food and luxury accommodations? She may as well enjoy it.
A new wave of determination swept in. If Viv left this job with everything she had when she came into it, she’d be blessed.
She hadn’t needed Duke before this, and she didn’t need him after it, either. Viv nodded as the truth of that sank in. If friendship was all he wanted, and she was suddenly certain it was, then friendship was what he’d get. No problem. She was just glad she’d figured it out before she embarrassed herself.
Chapter 9
Viv eyed the variety of bark-covered trunks, tall branches, and vibrant green leaves blocking the sky. Lower, where she followed Duke, branches loomed closer overhead, dimming any runaway sunlight while the sounds of cawing birds and howling monkeys echoed in the space.
“This is one of my favorite spots on the island,” Duke said over his shoulder. He’d stopped walking, encouraging Viv to close the three or four foot gap between them.
“It is?” Hints of his heavenly cologne made her wish she’d have worn the tea rose after all. What would it have hurt?
“Yes, I love the rain forest,” Duke said. “They have a ton of macaws here. Howler monkeys too—that’s what we’re hearing right now, and…” He lifted a brow and grinned. “Sloths.”
There went that spot of heat around her heart again. “You like sloths?” she asked.
Duke threw her a look. “Who doesn’t? Anyway,” he continued, leading the way once more. “I was glad they wanted to shoot here. Though I’m not exactly surewhatthey have in mind.”
Viv lifted a brow. “You’re not? They didn’t tell you in advance?”
