Page 49 of Two Hearts' Ploy

“It’s a pretty long list but the names toward the top are the people who’ve worked with you the longest. I had Marc assemble the list for you. I’dlike for you to think about everyone on that list and fill out what comes immediately to mind about each of them – their behavior in particular.”

“Okay. I’ll see if I can get it done within the next day or two.”

“That would work. Now tell me about your last boyfriend.”

“Vin Desmond. He didn’t take me breaking up with him well. We thought he trashed my beach house but decided that he might be telling the truth when he said he didn’t, even though the cops caught him there. We didn’t think he could have been there long enough to do all the damage that was done.”

“I remember you talking about that with us when you first arrived,” Jake replied. “But you and Marc decided that someone might have broken in sometime earlier that day and whoever it was really did the damage.”

“That’s right,” she answered, giving Jeff a side glance when he suddenly appeared distant, zoning out of the conversation.

She heaved a sigh, realizing her reputation had proceeded her again. Hopefully, it wasn’t going to ruin things between them. Especially since Vin was…insignificant, she supposed would be the right way to describe him. Just one man in a string of many relationships that hadn’t really been real.

“Okay then. As hard as I’ve tried to work out strategy that’s more concise, the plan is something we can’t really define unless we take it one day at a time. We’re just going to be handling your security when you’re filming your video as we go along. We’ll keep in close touch as you’re moving to and from each location. We’ll go on high alert during the week or two that it’s being made,” Jake said, standing from the island. “I’ve been a little more cautious this week because I’ve had an investigator keeping an eye on you Wren. But he hasn’t seen anyone following you or even taking an interest. So far, so good. I’m pretty certain you haven’t been recognized. I suppose it helps that you’ve been dressing casually and wearing little makeup. It should be safe for you to drive your SUV for now. If that should change, I’ll let you know.”

“Good,” she answered, holding out her hand. “Thank you, Jake.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, shaking her hand. “From now on, we can video chat, so that’ll make it a little easier for us to communicate.”

“Great,” she replied, glancing at Jeff, who remained tight-lipped.

Jake winked at Wren, noticing Jeff’s sullen look. “Jeff kind of reminds me of me when I began dating Danielle. I was jealous as hell.”

“Huh?” Jeff asked, apparently snapping out of it. “I’m…,” he glanced at Wren, “fine.”

“Sure, you are,” Jake muttered, snickering.

When Jeff snorted, Wren started laughing.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Hehadbeen jealous as hell. Funny how spending this time alone with Wren had made Jeff forget about the numerous men in her past.

They walked through the hallway where the management live-in apartments were located, heading through the exit to the parking lot outside.

“I can’t make any promises,” she said softly. “But you more or less knew that already. What I can admit is that I’d never cheat on anyone I’m dating, no matter what the tabloids have said. That also means that I can’t tolerate cheating in any man I date, which was the reason I broke up with Vin. Although it was more than that. He was using me. Most guys are, you know. But the longer it goes on, the more I get tired of it, so that’s when I put an end to it. It’s just the way it seems to go in celebrity relationships. At least the ones that I’ve been in.”

“Fair enough,” Jeff said gruffly, nodding his understanding.

“Are we good?” she asked, smiling.

Bending over, he quickly kissed her.

“I guess that answers my question,” she said, walking beside him toward her SUV. “I loaded the rest of my things earlier, so we’re good to go.”

“How about taking a ride in the cruiser when we get back? And then I thought we could grill out and maybe even go over some of your music if you’d like.”

“Yes,”she answered, unlocking the SUV and stepping inside. “I like the sound of a nice relaxing night at home.”

Home?Jeff blinked.

“Lead on,” she said, grinning as she rolled down the window, revving up the engine.

* * *

The night was pretty much perfect after a somewhat stressful afternoon, Jeff decided.

She looked so sexy in her oversized sunglasses, lazing back in the cruiser wearing some kind of designer bathing suit that was meant more for a photo op than swimming.

---