Willa frowned. “They’rehere.”
“Who’s here?” Frankie asked, moving to stand beside Harper.
“The paparazzi.” Willa shook her head. “There are three big boats and one small one in the channel. I think they’re anchored, because they’ve been there for a while now.”
Mitch turned the golf cart off. He and Jack came over. “What’s going on?”
“Paparazzi,” Harper said. “They’ve got boats in the river channel.”
Jack frowned. “And no doubt cameras aimed at the house and guest house.”
Harper nodded. “No doubt.” She hated this. Even when she’d been running in celebrity circles on a regular basis, she’d never had to personally deal with this kind of scrutiny. Not until she’d gotten involved with Ford Keating. But now that she’d come to Hideaway Bay, she really understood just what the invasion of privacy felt like. Ironic, that.
But this time it wasn’t herself she was upset for. It was Jack. With him being hot news, there was every chance that Monica would use that to her advantage and ask for more money or put more pressure on him to pay.
She really hoped Angelo wasn’t all talk.
Chapter Nineteen
“Just come in the house,” Frankie said to Jack. She felt for the guy. And not just because he’d agreed to pay her ten grand for a portrait of his father, but that had definitely given him a spot in her heart. “You can hang out inside until it’s dark, then you won’t be seen going across the breezeway. We’ll turn off all the outdoor lights to be sure.”
Harper nodded. “That’s a great idea. You can have dinner with us, hang out, watch a movie, whatever you want to do. We’ll keep you entertained.”
“We can play cards,” Willa offered.
Jack smiled. “You ladies are all right, man. That’s a righteous offer. I think I’ll do that. Let those paps stew. I’m not ready to wave the white flag just yet.”
Mitch clapped him on the back. “You’re in good hands.” He tipped his head at Harper. “We can skip tonight’s chat if you want. Wait, maybe we can’t.” He made a face. “I just remembered Kyle wants to talk to you about brainstorming.”
“No worries,” Harper said. “I’ll be over at six like usual.”
“All right, thanks.” He got back in the golf cart. “Have a good night.”
They all waved. Jack held his hand up the longest. “Take it easy, brother.”
Archie tugged at the leash. Willa nodded. “Okay, let’s go.” She looked at her mom. “I’ll be in as soon as he’s done.”
“We won’t have too much fun without you.” Frankie could only smile. Jack Marsh might be too old to be a heartthrob to Willa, but he was still a major movie star and Willa had to be beside herself with excitement knowing she was going to hang out with him tonight.
Frankie was pretty excited, too. Sure, she’d rather be with Lucas, but he needed time with his brother. But spending an evening with Jackson Marsh? Nothing like that had ever happened to her before.
“Come on,” Harper said. “We might as well go in and get comfortable.”
They went inside, Jack letting the women go ahead of him. As they walked into the living room, Jack looked around. “You haven’t changed anything. I guess I didn’t really notice that before, man.”
Harper shook her head. “Nope. I didn’t see any reason to. It’s beautiful. And I like that it reminds me of your dad.”
He smiled. “Hey, would it be cool if I made dinner? Seems like the least I could do.”
Frankie already liked the guy, but this increased his star power in her eyes. “You cook?”
“You better believe I do, man.” Then Jack groaned. “I just remembered I have a package of four beautiful filets and some frozen shrimp out on the counter. I was letting the shrimp defrost and the steaks come to room temperature.”
Frankie hooked her thumb toward the guest house. “I can run over there and get it. No one has a clue who I am.”
Jack nodded. “Cool, cool. That would be great. Would you grab my tablet, too? It’s on the coffee table.”
“Sure,” Frankie said. “Is the door open?”
