~ Jackson Porter, Playing With Matches, Confessionals
A loud knockon my door awakens me from a deep slumber. I stretch and pat the bed beside me, feeling for Jackson, but the sheets are cool. There’s no sign of him.
By the time I get to the door, the knocker is gone but there is a basket full of pastries and coffee with a note.
Jackson asked that we send this over for you before he took off. Call time to shoot the final episode is 4 pm. See you at the gazebo. ~Rory
Jackson asked Rory to send me food before hetook off. To where? And without saying a word to me? Why? It doesn’t seem right.
I wait patiently in the room until noon for him to come back before getting dressed and seeking answers. “Has anyone seen Jackson?” I ask the crew at the confessional tent. They all shake their heads. I can’t picture where he might be.
“No. He hasn’t checked in yet today. If you see him, please send him our way?”
“How about Rob?” I ask.
“Oh yeah, he’s around here somewhere. He was headed to the pool bar for a pre-finale toast with the whole cast,” one of the grips says. “I’d check there.”
“Thanks, I say,” backing out of the stuffy tent and heading toward the pool.
Sure enough, the entire cast, including Marco, is assembled at the bar. Owen is behind the counter, assisting Alexis. Darwin and Ryker are holding hands, and Chloe and Paula are giggling about something. When everyone sees me, they all start clapping.
“Somebody sure slept in this morning. Late night?” Lacey winks suggestively at me.
“There she is!” shouts Ryker, patting the empty stool beside him. “Get in here. We can’t do a proper toast without you and Jackson, can we?”
“Oh good, there you are, Bella Isla!” Marco is sitting next to Paula with his hand on the small of her back. He stands to hug me, looking around baffled. “But, where is Jackson? I want to congratulate him. No more virgin, eh?”
Alexis rolls her eyes.
“I was going to ask you all if you saw him.”
“No,” Marco looks concerned. “I have not seen him, but never mind. I must talk to you, Bella. Everyone, do you mind if I grab Isla for a moment?” He’s speaking to everyone but looking at Paula.
“Not at all, Amore. Go, go,” Paula smiles and waves us away.
I already know what this is about.
“I see that you’ve formed quite an attachment to Paula,” I say to Marco.
“I am so sorry, Bella. Marco thought he was in love with you,” he apologizes. “But now Marco knows the difference. I just hope I can convince her I am worthy.”
“Of course, you are, Marco. Why would you even say that?” I give him a quick hug.
“All the other women, they look at me. But Paula, she sees me. Nobody else has everseenme before.”
His eyes are full of tears. “I am so in love with her, Isla. And it is all because of you. You and your magic, I am sure of it. You bring us together. You are like the good witch of romance. You will write a book about us, no?” He smiles.
“Maybe,” I hedge but I can’t help smiling back.
“Good. Then Marco will finally grace the cover of one of your books,” he crows, satisfied. “But what about your AI Swiper?” he says, taking extra pains to enunciate the A and the I. “Where is Jackson?”
“That’s what I was wondering, too,” I say.
“There is Rob. Maybe he knows?” Marco points back toward the pool area where I see Rob and Rory threading their way around chaise lounges with a cameraman in tow, headed towards the crowd at the bar.
* * *
“I wouldn’t worry too much,”Rob shrugs.“I’m sure he’ll be back by later tonight.”
