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She turned and looked at Jake’s poster. “I saw you looking at the movie poster. He’s a real hottie, huh? Well, he’s just as nice as he looks, but he’s a bit of a player.”
“Oh?” I said, acting surprised. I wondered if the two of them had dated but was too chicken to ask. “Jake and I knew each other in high school. He’s always been good to me.” I didn’t have to tell her how good to me he’d been.
“Wow, that’s fascinating. You should give me some dirt on him. I might need it for blackmail before this film is done. He’s probably going to get a fucking Oscar nod. I, at least, want an invitation.”
“Have you ever been to a red carpet?”
“Once. Last year. Before that, I was a big fat nobody. Luckily, I got my big break in a summer splash hit, and I went as Duncan Lord’s date.”
“Duncan Lord?” I narrowed my eyes. “Sorry, I don’t know him. I spent the past two years in the rain forest, so I am a little behind the entertainment times.”
“It’s okay. I think it’s really cool that you’re practically an alien here.” She giggled. “That only means you’re not tainted. Besides, that romance ended just as quickly as it began.”
“Sorry,” I said, not really knowing what to say.
She waved her hand like it was no big deal. “Don’t worry about it, seriously. Do you have a significant other? Are you married? Kids?”
“Oh, no. None of the above. I haven’t had time to pursue anything other than my studies.”
“That must be a lonely life. You were in the Amazon all alone?”
I suddenly felt as though there might be something wrong with me, but I really enjoyed my solitude. And I hadn’t really had an interest in anyone other than Jake in ages. “I had a team, of course. We traveled around and studied some of the native tribes. That’s how I learned some of their languages.”
“Wait, they all have their own?”
“Yeah, some do.”
“And you manage to keep it all straight. How do you do that?”
“Well, considering some of them still practice cannibalism, it’s good to know who you’re dealing with, and speaking their language is a big part of staying alive.” I chuckled, and once again, she found no humor in my words.
Her face went pale. “Cannibals? Are you pulling my leg? Does Ben know about this?”
It was time to do damage control. “I’m sure he’s aware, but don’t worry about it. Most only eat their own dead.” Somehow, from the reaction, I didn’t think that put her at ease.
She put her hand on her heart. “Oh no. Don’t tell me that. It’s horrible.” She truly looked a bit green.
“I’m sorry. It’s just I guess I haven’t been around people lately. I forget that not everything is a kosher subject.”
“Kosher?” She began to laugh, and it was damned near maniacal. “That’s so funny. Oh my gosh. Like food. You’re hilarious. I like you, Kate.”
And just like that, it was all better.
“You should come and hang with me while we’re on location,” Tess said. “You can keep me safe from harm, and we’ll have a blast talking about Jake’s high school days. I could be a teacher’s pet.”
“That sounds like a plan.” I had nothing else to do but consult, and my free time was going to be used for my research. A little girl-time now and then might keep my spirits high, especially considering Jake was determined that the two of us had to remain friends, and with his working, it was likely that he’d be too busy for me anyway.
“So what are the hotels like? Are there any resorts?”
“Not where we’re going. Sorry. There is an inn, but it’s a bit more like a camp. They have cabins we will stay in.”
“Cabins? Will my hairdryer work? What will the hairstylists do?”
“They will have to get a small generator, I’m afraid.” Production was going to have a hard time making sure that everything was in order.
“What the hell is Ben thinking? Him and his visions. If I don’t get at least a nod from this, I’ll never work with him again. I should have known going into it that this is how it would be. I thought a movie based on the Amazon was about the tribe of women from Greek legend.”
“You know the Greek legend?” I was shocked that she knew that much.
“Of course. What else would I think the movie was about? Online shopping? Although the name Operation Amazon does sound like my Black Friday last year.”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud, and Tess giggled along with me. “Would you like to go and grab some lunch? I’ll have my assistant drive us. My treat.” She looked at me with hopeful eyes, and as my tummy growled at the thought of food, I agreed.
