Harper nodded. “So do I. Just curious—did you tell Willa she could post pics or have you changed your mind about that?”
“No, I haven’t changed my mind. She can post them. But I haven’t had a chance to tell her, either.” He glanced quickly over his shoulder. “Willa, can you come up here a second? Bring your phone.” He winked at Harper.
Harper smiled and stepped away to make room for her niece.
“Here I am,” Willa said, phone at the ready. “Do you need me to look something up?”
“No, I just wanted to say how glad I am to have you onboard today. If you want to post photos on your social media, that’s all right with me.” Mitch steered them past a marker and into the river channel, picking up a little speed.
“Wow, thanks. That’s so awesome.”
Mitch nodded. “You’re welcome. The only thing I ask is that you not post too many. And nothing that would let anyone identify the boat. So no pics of the name or ID number. Nothing too personal. I have a few fans who don’t need that kind of encouragement. Cool?”
Willa’s mouth and eyes had rounded into Os. “That is totally cool. I won’t go nuts, I promise. Can I tag you in them?”
“How about we do one photo together, you can tag that one, then the rest no tag. Sorry, I just don’t want to overdo it.”
“No apologies needed. I totally get it. I know you like your privacy. I don’t blame you. I appreciate this a lot.”
Harper held her hand out. “You want me to take it?”
“Sure,” Willa said.
Mitch held onto the wheel but stepped aside slightly. “Here, why don’t you drive, and I’ll stand next to you.”
Willa took his place at the wheel, griping it like her life depended on it. “What do I do?”
“Just relax and keep us headed straight,” Mitch said. “Nothing to it.” He stood next to her as Harper lifted the phone.
“Okay,” Harper said. “Look at me and smile.” They both did as she asked. “Hold that for one more. Now both of you look out at the water. Going for a serious candid shot here.”
Mitch couldn’t keep from smiling a little, though. Harper was leaning pretty hard into the role of photographer.
“Mitch, a little to the left so the sun isn’t— That’s perfect. Willa, chin up so I can see your face better.” She snapped away, taking a bunch probably so Willa could pick the one she liked best. “All right, I got a few.”
Willa took her phone back. “Thanks, Aunt Harper. And Mr. Ripley. I really appreciate you letting me post these. And for inviting us all out on your boat.”
Mitch nodded as he placed his hands on the wheel. “I hope you get some new followers out of it.”
“I’m sure I will. Mostly I just want to earn some cred with my professors.”
He laughed at the idea that her professors would think more of Willa because of her association with him, but stranger things had happened. “If my face helps with that, more power to you.”
She went back to her sunny spot. Harper inched closer. “That was really nice of you.”
“Costs nothing to be kind.”
“True.” Her arm brushed his. “But some people still aren’t. Thank you.”
“You bet. Hey, I want to ask you something. What do you know about Sullivan Tripp and Julia Montrose? What do youthink of them as actors? I’m out of the loop on who’s hot and all that, but I figured you’d know.”
Harper gave him a curious look. “Well, Sullivan Tripp is definitely a hot property. He’s up and coming, that’s for sure. Good actor, great-looking, and apparently a genuinely nice guy. Last I heard he was in talks with Spielberg for something. Don’t know if anything came of that. And Julia Montrose is beautiful in an interesting way, which I like. Atypical, you know?”
“Meaning?”
“Not a size zero blonde who looks surgically enhanced in any way. Her dad is French-Canadian and her mom is from one of the indigenous Canadian people. More than her looks, however, she can act. I mean, seriously. She debuted in some indie film about six or seven years ago and ever since then, she’s gotten work, but in my opinion, she’s struggled to find the right vehicle. Once she does, though? Watch out.”
Appealing information that only made Mitch more interested in the deal.
