Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Like right now, when she had to watch the gorgeous blond TV host flirt shamelessly with Arch as they put the final touches to the rearranged furniture for the interview. The crew had all but wrecked the minimalistic calm of Arch’s living room, setting up lighting, two cameras, and what she learned were boom mics.
Tessa kept out of their way as much as possible, taking the opportunity to get settled in her bedroom and put away the rest of her possessions. The act of hanging up her clothes made her realize this really was going to be home for the next two and a half months. The room was more luxurious than any hotel she’d ever stayed in.
When she couldn’t find a reason to stay upstairs any longer, she went down to find everything set up. Roxy was sitting across from Arch and chatting away as though they were old friends. Maybe they were. The crew were doing sound and light checks around them.
One of the crew had knocked a painting crooked when setting up the rigging. Luckily, it wasn’t damaged, but she felt aggrieved on Arch’s behalf. Couldn’t they see that these paintings were precious? An accumulation of hours and hours of work? She moved over to where the painting had fallen sideways and slid the frame upright on its hanging wire.
“Can we keep the household staff out of frame, please?” Roxy said, her friendliness gone in an instant.
Tessa felt as though she’d been stabbed by an icicle. She was about to apologize when Arch spoke up. In a firm tone, he said, “Roxy, I’d like you to meet Tessa Taylor. She’s a professional caregiver, and I’m very lucky to have her here to help me recuperate.”
She’d wanted to stay out of the interview completely, but she understood that Arch was sticking up for her, and a part of her melted.
Roxy suddenly flashed Tessa a sparkling white smile. “This must be an exciting placement for you, looking after a celebrity of Archer Davenport’s caliber.”
Inwardly, Tessa squirmed at the patronising tone. But again, Archer spoke before she had the chance to.
“All in a day’s work for Tessa,” he said. “Besides, there are no celebrities in this household. I’m just a regular California guy who got lucky at his job.”
Roxy let out a tinkling laugh. “I love how you still insist on this ‘I’m just a regular guy’ spiel. Everyone in the world knows your name. And your face. Not to mention those abs of yours.” She laughed again and then reached over and put her hand on his belly.
Tessa wanted to reach out and swipe Roxy’s hand away. How dare she touch him? She was here to interview him, not put her hands on him. It was completely unprofessional.
Somehow, Tessa managed to hold herself back and hold her tongue. She didn’t want to embarrass Arch. But she did train her gaze on him, wondering how he’d respond to this kind of behavior. In the short time she’d known him, Arch had never once seemed like a Hollywood movie star.
To her surprise, Arch ignored Roxy’s comment. He simply laughed and suggested they get started. And Tessa also noticed that he subtly shifted his torso out of Roxy’s reach.
Arch had been interviewed by Roxy before. Many times, probably. Tessa had seen a couple of the interviews on TV. There was an ease to their exchange that made Tessa’s stomach feel funny.
But then Arch turned to Tessa and gave her such a warm, genuine smile that the sick feeling in her stomach disappeared and was replaced with a little flutter instead.
“I’ll get started on dinner prep,” Tessa said, hoping that her voice sounded more natural than she was really feeling.
“That’s great,” he said. “You did an amazing job with lunch. I can’t believe you make veggies taste so good. This interview shouldn’t take too long, and then I can give you a hand.”
Tessa laughed. “I’m here to help you—not the other way around. I’ve got this covered, so you don’t need to worry.”
She retreated to the kitchen, which had a spacious prep station where she could work in peace. She couldn’t wait to get away from the film crew. Not least Roxy and her shiny hair and too-perfect makeup and figure.
The pantry off the kitchen was bigger than some of the bedrooms Tessa had slept in and was lined with fitted cupboards and drawers stocked with dry goods. For someone who traveled as much as Arch did, he sure had a lot of food at home. She looked for the brown rice she’d purchased, trying to get her thoughts in order.
Despite Arch’s kind words, the annoying thing was that Roxy was completely right: Tessa was utterly overwhelmed by Arch’s life and career. Watching him slip so easily into conversation with the TV crew, effortlessly switching on the charm, obviously accustomed to the bright lights and being a huge celebrity, brought home the differences between them. She couldn’t pretend she was used to working around film crews and famous TV hosts. Despite all her experience, everything about her current job here felt alien, whereas Arch and Roxy seemed to have great chemistry. They were from the same world. Tessa could feel the stirrings of an unwelcome jealousy.