Page 20 of The Princess and the Paparazzi
“No time like the present!” I clap. “How’s about we pick up some burgers and head to the diner after closing, and you show me how stuff works. Starting tomorrow, I’m you, and you’re me.”
“I still can’t believe you’re serious about this,” Kenna says.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” I ask. “You’ll get new photography equipment and a great story to tell your grandkids.”
“I’m going to need you to make me some cheat sheets or—”
“Hey Lorelei!” Tabitha calls out from the front door, followed by brisk knocking. “You in there? I saw the Porsche in the lot!”
Shit. I forgot Tabitha was coming by.
Kenna is sitting bolt upright, staring at me with wide eyes.
“Okay, so that’s Tabitha, my PA. But this is perfect timing. Why don’t you go answer the door as me?” I grab Kenna by the hand and hoist her up. In the platform boots, she stands a good five inches taller than me next to her barefoot. She does look fierce, if I do say so myself. I wonder if this is what it’s like to visit a wax museum and see a statue of yourself.
Like a statue, Kenna isn’t moving. She looks like she might panic. “And say what? I don’t know what to say to her!”
“Ask her when the DNA tests are coming. I texted her earlier to order them. I’ll just duck into the powder room here and hide.” I drag her into the hallway, toward the front door.
“What if she figures out I’m not you?” Kenna hisses.
“So what? She’s on my payroll, and she signed an NDA. She’s not saying anything. If anything, she’ll be able to help you get settled before she takes off for the week.”
Tabitha knocks again a little louder and calls out, “Lorelei! Everything okay? I just wanted to check in and go over the schedule for the next week.”
“Go!” I tug the wig back into place on her head and shove her gently toward the door.
“Hi, Tabitha,” I hear Kenna say when she answers the door. I crack the powder room door open so I can spy on them. I’ve got the perfect vantage point from where I am hiding. I can see the entire foyer, kitchenette, and living room.
“Hi, Lorelei.” Tabitha breezes in with her clipboard. “I have your schedule for the week here. There’s a list of all the numbers and contacts in case you need to call anyone to change anything.”
“Thank you,” Kenna says stiffly. Too stiff. She can do better than that.
“Do you need me to pick up anything from the grocery store before I leave tomorrow? More iced tea? Fruit? More vodka?” Is that a note of judgment in her voice?
“So about those DNA tests,” Kenna says. “Did you pick them up for me?”
“Noooo …” Tabitha narrows her eyes. “I told you they have to be mailed. They’re overnighting them, though. Should be here by tomorrow. What do you need them for anyway?”
“Oh, ummmmm … research,” Kenna says.
Just at that moment, there’s another knock on the door.Uh-oh.
“Lorelei, you decent?” Rafe calls out before walking in. Typical Rafe. Just lets himself in. Although, I had asked him to stop by and say goodbye before he left for LA.
He’s freshly showered and wearing a pair of jeans, trainers, and an old, faded hoodie. Pretty casual for travel on a commercial airline, but whatever floats his boat. Rafe does whatever Rafe pleases, and Rafe gets away with it.
“Hi, Rafe,” Tabitha says. “Can I offer you anything to eat or drink?”What is she, his mom? She’s supposed to be my PA, not his.“Maybe you’d like me to pack a picnic basket for your trip?”Is she batting her lashes at him?
“No thanks.” Rafe sounds a little cagey. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything here.”
“Oh, no. Lorelei and I were just going over the schedule for the week. I was about to tell her that I checked in with the security company about posting someone here.” She turns back to Kenna. “I hate to say it, but after hearing about the paparazzi hanging around, I’m worried about you staying alone here all week, Lorelei.”
“Okay, thanks?” she says. I cringe at the uptick in her voice. She sounds so unsure of herself.
“That’s it? No argument from you?” Rafe asks. He knows I hate having a bodyguard. It seems a little extreme.
“Well, you know, better safe than sorry.” Kenna nods.
