Player in Paradise Read Free Page A

of bullshit that’s ever crossed my screen. I know the m agazines and blogs will eat it up, and I’m hoping the fans will believe it too. I send the document over to Priscilla for review and explain to Mandy that we need an out of office lunch date STAT.

Chapter Four
     
    “So, what happened this morning?” Mandy asks, munching on a forkful of baby spinach.
    “Apparently Austin was up to his antics this weekend. I’m sure you saw the photos of him with another girl by now.”
    She nods. “Yeah, who was that chick? She looked pretty slutty.”
    “Who knows? Anyway, we’re issuing a statement that says he acted out because he was scared of the strong emotions that Cassidy makes him feel.”
    Mandy snorts and almost spits out her salad. “Genius, Olivia, that’s genius.”
    “Oh, it gets even better. Priscilla wants the happy couple to take a romantic vacation to Hawaii to show off their love publicly, and she wants me to go with them.”
    Her jaw drops. “You’re kidding.”
    I shake my head. “No lie. I’m going to Hawaii with Austin fucking Ford.”
    “Oh my God,” she shrieks. “ But, you have to keep your guard up. Don’t let him feed you those alcoholic drinks that come in the pineapples; those things are stronger than they look. Seriously though, I don’t want something to happen between you guys and lose you at work.”
    “I won’t. I promise.”
    “You probably shouldn’t wear a bikini in front of him either. Keep those things under wraps,” she says, pointing at my chest.
    “Yes, I will wear a fu ll-length cover-up at all times,” I laugh.
    “ So when do you leave?”
    I check my phone and open a new email from Priscilla. “Apparently I’m going this weekend.”
    “Well, I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
    I grin at the thought of Austin in swim trunks. His bronzed, toned chest glistening in the sunshine.
    Mandy waves her hand in front of my face, snapping me out of my fantasy. “Seriously, be careful. And good luck.”
    We head back up to the office where there’s a bunch of emails from Priscilla waiting in my inbox with instructions for booking everyone’s flights and hotel reservations. Cassidy’s getting the Penthouse Suite, Austin the Junior Suite, and mine will be adjoining to his.
    The manifest lists Austin and Cassidy’s managers, both of their security teams, and Cassidy’s mother. I book the flights to Honolulu and rooms at the beachfro nt, five-star resort in Waikiki. I then work with the hotel management and PR staff to create an itinerary that includes as many romantic activities as possible. We book surf lessons, jet skiing, cooking classes and special dinners.
    I rush to dig through my bedroom closet as soon as I get home. After trying on clothes for hours, I can’t help but wonder if I have enough swimsuits. Do I even want to wear a bathing suit in public? My thighs seemed to have magically expanded since the summer began.
    It takes me a few days to finalize my outfit decisions, but I think I do a pretty good job at choosing the right assortment. I just pray my suitcase doesn’t go over the weight limit.
    Austin calls me at work the day before we leave. “Just so we’re clear, I don’t need babysitting.”
    Who does he think he is telling me how to do my job? “ You won’t even notice I’m there.”
    “Seriously, I promise I won’t screw things up. I want my next movie to do well, and I know the consequences of another bad move on my part,” he says in a serious tone.
    “Good, I hope so.”
    I’d like to believe him, but based on his past, I don’t think he can be on his best behavior without some supervision.
    “And a cooking class? Really? I hate to cook.”
    “Just pretend you’re having fun, please,” I plead.
    “You owe me.”
    “Uh huh, I’ll see you tomorrow at nine AM sharp.”
    “See ya then boss lady.”
    His voice lingers in my head after we hang up. It’s hard to concentrate on my work knowing that in less than twenty-four