Explore Her, More of Her by Z.L. Arkadie

Author:Z.L. Arkadie [Arkadie, Z.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Z.L. Arkadie Books
Published: 2014-12-13T06:00:00+00:00

I walk past the kitchen. Inés is cooking, and the smell of shallots, garlic, and wine makes my mouth water. No matter what happens, I am not missing the next meal. Dexter is alone and waiting in the living room.

“Who lived here—Marie Antoinette?” he asks, grinning.

It’s hard to be angry with a man who has the face of an angel, but I’m a little peeved. “I cannot believe you just showed up here! And you brought Kristin and Scott Whistler?”

Dexter thumbs over his shoulder. “Actually, the whole team’s here.”

“Then the whole team, including yourself, needs to leave.”

“So this chateau has thirteen bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and a full staff?”

“There’s no full staff, only Inés, and she’s not going to cook and clean for a production crew.”

“Then we’ll hire our own staff. We have enough in the budget for that since you bailed on us.” I’m on the verge of objecting, but Dexter lifts a finger and says, “You suggested we shoot in the South of France. We’re good now, but without you, we’ll murder our budget by making a bunch of mistakes.” He lifts his hands to showcase the house. “You can at least give us room and board.”

I sigh. Heck, I am the one who pushed for France. Was I ever really married to this whole project? No. I would’ve bailed on them sooner or later. I guess the fact that they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place is my fault.

“How many?” I grumble.

“Four producers, one host, a cameraman, his assistant, an audio team of two, and our production assistant.”

“Ten people. How many days?”

“As long as it takes.”

“Wrong answer. I need a solid number,” I say.

“How does three days sound?”

“I’ll call my father. Wait here.”

“Jacques? I’ll call him.” Dexter takes his phone off the clip on his hip. He slides his finger across the screen and taps it.

I shake my head. “You have my father’s number?”

“Remember he invited me to Louisiana?” he says in a rush. “Jacques? She said yes… yes… right… staff.” He widens his eyes at me as if to say, I told you so. “Thank you.” He ends the call and clips his phone back to his hip. “So which of the thirteen rooms are you crashing in?”

“I’m not sleeping in the main house. But what are you doing here, Dexter? For real.” My earnest expression demands to know the truth.

“I’m seizing an opportunity.” His tone suggests a number of meanings.

“Well, I’m probably leaving tomorrow, so have a ball.” I turn to walk away.

“Hey.”

“What?” I ask.

“I missed you.”

“I’m still married.”

I wait to hear what he has to say about that. Crickets.

I was hoping he’d say his missing me has nothing to do with wanting me romantically, that he missed my friendship, my company, or my stellar work ethic. Since he’s still speechless, I walk to the kitchen to get my cell phone. I can’t believe I lost my appetite. I don’t even pick at the small plate of cheese and bread that Inés has set on the table next to my cell phone.

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