“Thanks, but I’m fine.” He glanced around the luxury RV his father had rented for the trip. The purchase price was probablywell over a million dollars. It was nicer than most apartments in LA. He’d taken a tour when they first leased the forty-five-foot-longvehicle complete with three bedrooms, a cozy den area, and a roomy kitchen with an island. There were two bathrooms, threetelevisions, and recessed lighting along the floor and above the cabinets, not to mention the two electric fireplaces. Theother motor home was a lot smaller but equally elegant.
“I saw an Amish woman pick you up earlier and drop you off a little while ago.” Veronica settled into a spot in the cornerof the tan leather couch and set her drink on the table beside her. Jodi had retreated behind a closed door, presumably herbedroom. A flash of humor crossed her face. “Was that like a date?”
“Maybe.” Jayce felt a flush creeping into his cheeks. He caught Veronica’s gaze. She seemed to be waiting for more, but hewasn’t sure he wanted to talk to her about Evelyn. He sat in a recliner across from her and crossed an ankle over his knee.
Jayce was more age appropriate than his father when it came to dating Veronica, but their relationship had never been thatway, even before she started sleeping with his father. They’d been friends, casual friends who didn’t know each other well.Then somewhere along the line, the relationship had grown and shifted. She was like a big sister. He recalled the sympatheticlook she’d thrown his way at the cave.
“Well, since you don’t want to share about your date, how are you and your dad getting along?” Veronica picked up her drink and took a sip. Jayce appreciated her not pushing the issue about Evelyn.
“Same as always.” He shrugged. “They’re having some meeting in the dining room. I could hear him bellowing, so I decided tohide out here.” He forced a smile. “I’m sure it’s about how to fix the equipment that failed Friday.”
The color drained from Veronica’s face. “Um, yeah. That didn’t go so well. I was at least twenty feet underwater, and somethingwent wrong with the scuba gear. I couldn’t breathe.” Pausing, she took two gulps from her glass. “But I made it out okay.”
“I hope my dad was sympathetic.” Jayce grunted. “Doubtful.”
“Actually, I think he was terrified. When I eventually surfaced and Hal got me out of the scuba equipment, I couldn’t stopgasping for air.” Pausing, she looked somewhere over Jayce’s shoulder. “Your dad was so comforting. It made me remember allthe reasons I fell in love with him.”
Jayce knew that side of his father, but he rarely showed it. Unless he was scared, and that didn’t happen often.
“But then he started yelling at everyone, more than they deserved . . .” She sank into the couch. “I remembered the horriblefights we had, the way he talked to me sometimes. I just couldn’t live like that, you know?”
Jayce nodded. “You’re too good for him. You’ll find someone better.”
She flashed her award-winning smile. “I think I already have.”
He wasn’t surprised. “Anyone I know?”
“No, he’s not in the industry. It’s still new. We’re keeping it pretty quiet for now.” She shivered. “And definitely until after this film wraps. Your dad would go nuts if he knew.”
Jayce was happy for Veronica, but she was right. His dad would go off big-time if he knew she was dating another man. No oneneeded to rile him up any more than he already was. Jayce decided to shift the subject back to work.
“You scared about Monday, about diving again?”
Veronica shifted uncomfortably, then took another swig of her drink. “You know what they say.” She took another sip. “Whenyou fall off the horse, you have to get back on.”
Jayce knew what fear could do to a person, and he could see it in her eyes. “Can’t you get them to call in a stunt double?”
“Probably.” She sat quietly. “But I want to do it myself, just to prove to myself that I can.” Her head snapped in his direction.“But, Jayce, that’s just me. I’m not saying you should do that. I’m sorry if it sounded like that.”
Veronica had known about Jayce’s claustrophobia since he’d met her. His father made sure to let everyone know. “Oh, I know.”He waved a dismissive hand. “No problem.” Even though it was a problem for Jayce. He’d like nothing better than to get onthat boat Monday, to show his father he could do it, but also for himself. So, ironically, he said, “Just don’t do it to proveanything to my dad.”
She chuckled nervously. “Oh, I quit doing anything for your dad’s benefit a long time ago.” She slapped a hand gently to herleg. “Okay, I can’t stand it anymore. Tell me about the Amish woman. I don’t know much about these people.”
“Apparently I don’t either,” he mumbled as he thought about his conversation with Evelyn. “But I’m not sure they’re quite so different from us.”
Veronica raised both eyebrows. “I beg to differ. They live like pioneers—even dress like them. How did the world pass themby?”
“Their choice. They choose to live like this.” He shrugged. “I think it’s kinda cool.”
Scrunching up her face, she said, “I couldn’t do it.”
Jayce was sure of that. Veronica was sweet as she could be, but he couldn’t begin to imagine her without her cocktails, oftenstarting at noon, her hair and makeup person nearby at all times, and her tendency to bask in the spotlight she’d earned.
She twirled a strand of her long blonde hair between her fingers and grinned. “Do you like her? You went out Friday nighttoo.”
“She’s interesting.” Evelyn was much more than that, and Jayce liked everything about her. But he was sure Veronica wouldn’tunderstand.
“Hmm . . .” She ran her finger around the rim of her glass. Usually her nails were long and painted a bright color. Now theywere trimmed short and plain, presumably for her role in the movie. “‘Interesting,’ huh?”
Jayce rested
