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Because kissing the hot Highland doc was like standing in a field full of fireworks. And if things got any hotter, they’d light up the entire island.
CHAPTER NINE
January
‘IT’S DYNAMITE! WHY didn’t you tell me you two were an item?’
‘What?’ Kristie rubbed her eyes.
‘The film. The backdrop of snow. The two of you silhouetted outside the hospital, kissing. The public will die for this. I tell you, once this goes out, you’ll have any job that you want. What do you want? A talk show? More reporting? How about something fun, like a game show?’
For the briefest of seconds she felt a surge of excitement. Louie was telling her she could have her pick of jobs. How long had she waited to hear those words?
But her stomach gave a flip and she tried to mentally replay what he’d said.
Her voice cut across his as he kept talking. She could almost feel the blood drain from her body. ‘What do you mean—the kiss? The silhouette?’
‘You and Gerry must have planned that. Tell me you planned it. It couldn’t have been more photogenic. I guarantee you that someone will put that picture on a calendar next year.’
Dread swept over her. ‘Is that what you think of me? That I planned to kiss Rhuaridh?’
‘Best career move ever,’ came Louie’s prompt reply.
Now she was sitting bolt upright in bed. They’d caught the last ferry to Arran the night before and when she’d gone to Rhuaridh’s cottage there had been no one home—not even Mac.
She hadn’t managed to see the last lot of the footage. Gerry had some excuse about technical issues. Now she knew why. She’d kill him. She’d kill him with her bare hands.
She stumbled out of bed, her feet getting caught in the blankets. For a few seconds she blinked then glanced at her watch. It was still dark outside. Shouldn’t it be daytime? She kept the phone pressed to her ear as she walked over and drew back the curtains, flinching back at the thick dark clouds and mist.
‘Don’t you dare use that footage. I’ve not seen it. And I didn’t agree to it being used.’
‘Of course you did,’ said Louie quickly. ‘It’s in your contract.’
‘Please, Louie.’ She didn’t know whether to shout or burst into tears. She’d try either if she thought they might work. ‘I let you get away with using my sick footage. But not this stuff. It’s not fair on me. And it’s not fair on Rhuaridh.’
‘Oh, it’s not fair on Rhuaridh?’ Louie’s voice rose and Kristie knew his eyebrows had just shot upwards. ‘Well, it’s pretty obvious that you like him now. But just remember, you have a job to do. And don’t forget exactly what he’s getting in return for us filming. And anyway, by the end of all this neither of you two will need to work. You’ll spend the next few years touting yourselves around the talk shows. The public will love this.’
Her heart plummeted. Everything she’d felt about the kiss, the anticipation, the expectation, the longing, and the electricity—the whole moment had stayed in her mind like some delicious kind of dream. But now it seemed tarnished. It seemed contrived and unreal. She sagged down onto her bed. She’d wanted to keep the kiss to herself. She’d wanted that intensely personal moment to remain between her and Rhuaridh. Because that’s the way it should be. Her perfect Christmas kiss.
‘Gotta go,’ Louie said quickly. ‘Got another call. Try and catch another kiss on film—or maybe have a fight. That could really kick the figures up.’
The phone clicked. He was gone.
Her brain was spinning. She’d planned to get up this morning and put the new clothes on she’d bought to meet Rhuaridh. She had the whole thing pictured in her head. The checked pinafore she’d picked up that almost looked tartan, along with the thick black tights and black sweater—again clothing she’d never have a chance to wear in LA. It was amazing how a few days in Scotland a month had started to change her wardrobe. She’d never had much use for chunky tights, warm clothing and thick winter jackets. She even had a few coloured scarves, gloves and hats.
Now the pinafore hanging over the back of the chair in the room seemed to be mocking her. Her jaw tightened. She grabbed yesterday’s jeans and shirt, pulling them on in two minutes flat, and marched across the hall towards Gerry’s room. She couldn’t hide the fact she was anything other than mad.
