“Yeah, but when you’re all gussied up like that, I swear you look just like her.It’s like you were separated at birth.”
It was nice of him to say that, but they both knew it wasn’t true.Despite her best efforts, insecurities crept back into her thoughts.“Well, I hope the photographers outside share your opinion.”
Concern creased Jackson’s brow.He closed the door behind him and moved farther into the room.“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”No, she wasn’t.Every time she built up a scrap of confidence, her anxieties tore it back down.It was ridiculous, irrational, but she couldn’t help the way she felt.“Actually, no, I’m not fine.I’m scared I’m going to screw this up, I want to chew my nails but if I do it’ll mess up my manicure, and it doesn’t help that your buddy thinks I’m going to get us all killed.”
Jackson offered a comforting smile as he nodded with understanding.“I get where you’re coming from, I really do.This job has pushed you far outside your comfort zone.But trust me, you’re doing just fine.I mean it when I say you look like Sierra’s twin.”
Sloane let out a shaky breath.“Thanks.”
“Ain’t nothing to thank me for.It’s the truth.And don’t you worry about Navarre.He’s one of those guys who games out the worst-case scenarios for every situation.It can be a buzzkill at times, but he always busts his butt to make sure those scenarios don’t become reality.It’s what makes him one of the best in the business.He’ll keep you safe no matter what.”
“Do you trust him with your life?”She already knew the answer, but she wanted to hear it from him.
As expected, he nodded again.“When things go south, there isn’t a person alive I’d rather have watching my back.I’ve never met anyone as calm under pressure.It’s like he’s got a kill switch for his adrenaline.No matter how bad things get—bullets flying, buildings exploding, people dying all over the damn place—he never loses his cool.He just shuts it all out and keeps going.Saved my life more times than I can count.He’ll say I saved his life as many times or more, but the scales ain’t close to equal.”
That gave her comfort from a security standpoint, but it didn’t do much to quell her concerns about the friction between them.They’d reached an unspoken truce last night, and she didn’t want to do anything that might trigger a return of hostilities.
“Any tips for how to handle him?”she asked.
“Just don’t let his grumpiness get to you.He’ll come around soon enough.In the meantime, come find me if you need anything.You got my number, right?”
She held up her phone.“Yep, sure do.”
“Good.I’ll see you downstairs in a few.”
The door clicked shut behind him.
Sloane gave the room one final inspection to confirm there wasn’t anything she’d forgotten to pack.Assured that everything was tucked in her bag, she sat on the edge of the bed and shoved her feet into black knee-high boots.They were pretty, but they squished her toes.Thankfully, the heels were only two inches high, so she didn’t have to worry too much about falling flat on her face and breaking her neck.If given the choice, she’d rather wear her own shoes, but Sierra wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of ratty Chucks or combat boots.
Bag in hand, she exited the room, closed the door behind her, and went down the hall that led to the staircase.Halfway down the stairs, she caught sight of Navarre and Jackson in the main living area, their heads bent close in murmured conversation.What they were talking about, she had no idea, but the looks on their faces gave her the impression it was something important.
Navarre glanced up at her approach, and something shifted in his expression that she couldn’t quite identify.If she didn’t know better, she’d say it was heat, but she knew that wasn’t the case.Regardless of what he’d said by the pool, guys like him didn’t go for women like her.That kind of thing only happened in books and movies.
He reached for her bag, and when his fingers brushed hers, a zing of electricity shot up her arm.“Sierra doesn’t carry her own luggage.I’ll put it in the back with the rest.”
“Oh.Yeah.Thanks.”
He pulled a set of keys from his pants pocket as they reached the front door.He paused, his hand on the door handle.“Remember, Jackson will walk with you to the car.Wait for him to open the door for you.Don’t thank him, don’t smile at him.Don’t make eye contact.Just get in the car and let him close the door.If you hear anybody yelling Sierra’s name or asking questions, ignore them.”
“Got it.”Sloane slid on a pair of blue-tinted designer glasses that were identical to the ones Sierra had been photographed wearing yesterday at the airport.But they were more than a fashion statement; they also made it difficult for anyone to notice her eye color didn’t match Sierra’s.
“You got this,” Jackson reminded her.
She let out a shaky laugh, even as her heart rate kicked up a notch.“Yeah, I got this.”
Navarre opened the door, and sure enough, Sloane spotted a small group of people clustered around the front gate, each carrying what appeared to be professional camera equipment.
At the sight of who they assumed was Sierra, they fired off a volley of questions that ranged from innocuous to downright insulting.
“Sierra, how are you feeling today?”
“I love your boots!Where did you get them?”
“Is that a baby bump, or are you putting on weight for a role?”
“Can you confirm you’re in talks to star in the nextGalaxy Dominionmovie?”
