Island Hopping

Chapter 2

2

The name sounds familiar. I know that I have heard it somewhere before, but I can’t quite put my finger on exactly who T.J. Stone is.

As I stare at the card and try to discern how I know this uninvited guest, I evidently ease up my pressure on the door. The smooth producer uses my distraction to slide his way through my front door. When I look up, he is standing in my entryway.

“Figure it out yet?” His eyes are practically dancing, alight with the knowledge that he has the upper hand.

I start to shake my head, but something about his gleeful expression jogs my memory. I’ve seen that look before. It is the same expression he wore when he ruined several people’s lives by sharing their most-guarded secrets on live streaming television.

“You’re the crocodile from Cruising for Love.” I say the words flatly, already feeling confident that I have pinpointed exactly who he is.

T.J. tips his head back and laughs at that. It’s obvious that his unflattering nickname doesn’t bother him in the slightest. Once his laughter subsides, he says, “That’s Ruthie’s pet name for me. I’m surprised she shared that with you. I was under the impression that the two of you don’t get along.”

Ruthie hadn’t shared that detail or anything else with me in a very long time. I had overheard her talking about him at a restaurant, but I am not willing to admit that to the man who tried to ruin her life on reality television. He would view our tiff as a juicy tidbit to use against her the next time he manages to lure her onto one of his shows.

Refusing to play his game, I lift my chin and say, “We get along just fine. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish getting ready for work.”

Shaking his head, he makes ‘tsk’ sounds as if he is disappointed in me. “I know that Ruthie hates you, and I know why.”

I hate it that this jerk seems to know as much about my life as I do, but I refuse to be a pawn that he can later twist around to use against Ruthie. Inserting determination in my voice, I tell him, “It’s time for you to go.”

His facial expression morphs into one of sympathy. Ignoring my request that he leave, he says, “It must be so tough being hated by your closest friends, over one brief instant of bad judgment.”

I give him a brisk nod and move my hand to usher him back out my open front door.

“I’d like to help you win them back, Lizzie.”

His words sound sincere. My desperation to make amends with Roxy, Ruthie, and Baggy makes me long to believe him, but I know that he is not to be trusted.

Seeming to sense my wavering conviction, the croc goes in for the kill. “The best way to earn back their trust and affection would be for you to join us for Ruthie’s live-streamed wedding. My guess is that there will be numerous things go wrong. Your particular skills will come in handy. If you save her special day, they’ll have no choice except to forgive you.”

Even though I know he is likely setting me up in a trap, it is tempting to accept his offer. I will do about anything to make amends with Ruthie. Voicing my top concern, I say, “They don’t want me to come to the wedding. I’ll end up making things worse between us if I show up uninvited.”

“Perhaps,” T.J. shrugs his shoulders before adding, “But Ruthie tends to be a little scatterbrained and accident-prone. I’d hate for her wedding, that the whole world is watching via the internet, to become a complete fiasco.”

I see right through his innocent façade. Narrowing my eyes, I accuse him, “You’re planning to set her up to fail.”

“Ruthie has a tendency to do plenty of that on her own, without any of my help.”

It isn’t lost on me that he has managed to avoid addressing my allegation. I’m fairly certain that he has some evil plans to sabotage her big day. His goal is to have great ratings for his show. A perfect, gorgeous wedding won’t bring nearly as many views and sponsors as a completely disastrous one.

Confirming my suspicions without actually uttering the words, the producer adds, “If you’re there to fix issues as they arise, Ruthie will have a lovely wedding. If you’re not in attendance, well…” He shrugs his shoulders and lets the implied threat dangle in the air.

I am at a loss for what to do. I know that Ruthie does not want me at her wedding. Her family will not welcome me with open arms. The last thing I want is to make them hate me more by showing up uninvited and unwanted.

On the other hand, I know that the crocodile is planning to wreak havoc on her wedding. If I’m there, I can help avert any crises and keep things running smoothly. Saving the younger Rose sister’s wedding might help make up for ruining the older sister’s big day, right?

I glare at him as I consider my options. It’s obvious by his confidence in my skills that he knows what I do for a living. Being an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a multinational corporation means that I am adept at taking care of any problems that are thrown my way. From the tiny details, like picking the perfect tie for an event, to huge strategic decisions, I am the right-hand woman. Without me taking care of everything, so many balls would get dropped the company might never recover.

The show producers have been advertising the upcoming wedding for weeks. I know that it is scheduled to occur on some exotic, tropical island. Inserting firmness into my voice, I say, “I can’t leave my job.”

Waving off my concerns, he says, “You’ve earned plenty of time off. Take it. They’ll have to figure out a way to survive without you for a bit.” He narrows his gaze at me, like a lion honing in on its prey. “Besides, Ruthie needs you.”

And there it is. My job is important to me, but Ruthie is my chosen family. If there is a way for me to save the most monumental day of her life, then I need to do it. Accepting my fate, I nod and say, “If I rush, I can make the necessary arrangements for me to be off work for the wedding in two weeks.”

Turning to head back outside, T.J. says over his shoulder, “We leave in twenty-four hours.”