Page 37 of All the Drama from New York

Ryan Collins was fast turning out to be the answer to her prayers.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Camille headed back downstairs to her apartment. She had a promise to keep with her sister in Paris.

Opening her iPad up on the kitchen counter she popped her earbuds in, then hit the video link on the secure Royal family website. For other people she used commercial apps like Facetime, but for family conversations she always went via the encrypted international link.

There was a momentary delay, then a familiar face framed with long chestnut hair appeared on the screen. “Bonjour!” Sophie waved to Camille from the other side of the North Atlantic.

“Hi, sorry I am late in calling. It’s been a busy day.”

It was midnight in Paris, so for Sophie, the night was still young. While Camille was one for getting out of bed and on with the day as early as possible, her sister was an unapologetic night owl.

I’m so glad to see your smiling face.

“How is your new employee going? Wasn’t he starting today? And did Ryan mention the tv show? Tell me everything, mon chéri.”

There were no secrets between the twins. Sophie knew all about Camille’s reality television crush from four years ago, and that she had somehow hired that same guy to work for her.

Camille’s gaze went to the door which led to the stairs between the two levels. She had closed it. She had ear buds in. But still… If Ryan knew that she was talking about him she’d die of embarrassment.

“Actually I brought it up. It just seemed the best thing to do. But I could tell he was uncomfortable when I mentioned it. He said the show was all scripted; and he knew he wasn’t going to win. We agreed to let it go and never talk about it again.”

Sophie’s dark eyebrows rose. “Do you believe him? I mean I watched the show on YouTube, and he didn’t come across as the sort of guy who hides his emotions all that well. He did cry when Kaylee chose the other guy.”

Did she believe him? Camille instinctively shook her head. No, she didn’t buy the whole scripted thing for one minute. The producers ofBachelors on the Beachmight have tried to hide him behind that blond Thor personae, but the real Ryan Collins had still shone through.

“Anyway. We are not talking about the show which shall not be named. How are things at home?”

Sophie rolled her eyes in disgust. “You are not getting away with changing the subject so easily. If you want gossip from home, you need to tell me more about Ryan.”

“Like what?”

“Like, is he still cute? And did your heart go pitter patter when he showed up this morning?”

Covering her face with her hands, Camille let out a moan. She didn’t want to answer that question. Truth be told she didn’t know how to answer it.

Was she still attracted to Ryan?

“Cami?”

Dropping her hands, Camille refused to look at the camera. “I…I don’t know what to say. He doesn’t have his long white hair anymore, but…oh.”

The Ryan of today was more ruggedly handsome than the Ryan of four years ago. And in the flesh the physical attraction was stronger than anything she’d felt watching him on tv.

“It’s really nice having him around. But.” She let out a sigh. “I think it might also be dangerous. Sophie, I don’t trust myself with him.”

There she’d said it. Put her fear into words. Her sister was right on point with her question. Whenever Ryan was close, Camille’s heart did go pitter patter.

“Are you going to keep him? I mean can you work with that sort of temptation. Keep things professional.”

Through the camera Camille met Sophie’s gaze once more. “It’s not his fault that I can’t resist him. This is something I have to learn to control. To overcome. So yes, I need him to stay.”

Sophie nodded. “Ok, just let me know if things get out of hand, and you need me to talk you out of doing something stupid.”

“Thanks. Now could you please save my sanity and tell me what’s happening in Paris.” She really missed her sister, these precious moments were the highlight of her week. Filling her in on what was happening at home, helped keep Camille sane.

“Ok. What’s been happening? Ooh!! You will love this. Earlier today I overheard Papa talking to one of the couturières, and he mentioned to her that what you had done with Chloe’s wedding gown was to a workable standard. And get this…he said that your beading was sufficient.”

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