His eyes were still just as blue as the ocean, and in them, I could still see the boy who’d broken my heart when he left town to pursue a better life. I supposed he had found it.
It wasn’t until that moment that I regretted not coming with him like he’d wanted, but I’d had my whole life ahead of me, my own plans. I would have been unfair to myself if I had given up my own dreams to chase his.
Yet, here we were, full circle. Just when I thought I’d never see him again.
“Don’t tell me that you two know each other,” Ben said, looking back and forth at us.
Jake stood. “Yeah. We’ve known each other for most of our lives. Kate’s an old friend.”
Referring to me as an old friend hurt, but considering how things had ended up, that was the truth.
“Well, that’s just wonderful. Jake here has a million questions about the Amazon, and I’m sure you’ll put him at ease.”
“I’ll try,” I said, wondering who was going to put me at ease.
I hadn’t seen Jake since I was eighteen. I’d gone on to do my studies in anthropology, and more recently, I’d just come back from years in the field, working on a big grant. Just when I was ready to analyze the data and write something up for publication, my department head, Kenneth O’Connor, had dropped this opportunity in my lap. It was going to be good money. Money I couldn’t pass up. I had planned to just get through it while making time to work on my research, but things had changed in an instant with Jake there.
“I am quite interested in the Amazon myself,” Ben said. “And eager for you to give your speech tomorrow. I do hope you’re ready to face the crowd.” He gave me a look as if he wasn’t sure I could pull it off.
“I have no problems with public speaking, Mr. Malcolm, and yes, I’m quite ready.”
“Please, call me Ben.” The man flashed his blue eyes at me and winked.
I nodded primly. “You see, Ben, education is the key to preservation. And I really hope that your movie doesn’t leave a big footprint.”
I could tell by the look in his eyes that he hadn’t even considered it. “I’ll do my best. But you see, my priority is making your friend Jake here look like a star. I’ll leave the conservation up to the producers.”
“Well then, let’s hope that they pay attention to my speech.” I had a feeling Ben wouldn’t.
“I’ll have my assistant take notes,” he said with a chuckle. “But frankly, I’m more interested in the Amazon leaving its big footprint on my cast, particularly our friend Jake here.” Ben clapped Jake on the back.
As I frowned, Jake stepped in. “Um, I think I can take it from here, Ben.”
Ben gave Jake a wink and leaned in close to mumble, “I’ll leave you to it, man. Maybe you can find the bug up her butt.”
I rolled my eyes as he chuckled and then walked away, screaming, “Ally!”
As Ben Malcolm left, I walked over and took a seat at the table. Jake stood until I was seated, then he found his chair again.
He leaned in toward the table. “I can’t believe it’s you. Did you come knowing this was my film?” Jake gave me a sideward look, his brows raised as if he was waiting for a confession.
He actually thinks I came here for him? “No, I really had no idea this was your movie. I haven’t spoken to Ben but once. Some girl named Ally made the arrangements.”
“Oh,” he said. “I’m sorry. I mean, I figured you knew all about my career taking off. I did a big movie last year, and it was a hit. Stone Soldier. I guess you can say I was an overnight success.”
It’s good to know you stayed so humble. “Sorry, but no. I don’t really have time for movies, but then again, I’ve been in the rain forest for years, so I haven’t actually watched a film in a while. My department head offered me this consulting job, and I took it for the easy money while I compile all my research from the past several years.”
“Oh, I see.” He smirked as he stared, looking me up and down as if remembering the last time he’d seen me naked.
I pushed that thought to the back of my mind. “Well, I suppose congratulations are in order. You have a big career. That’s wonderful. So what do you do, make movies? Are you in production?”
He chuckled, and the sound lit me from within. It was so familiar, even though I hadn’t heard his voice in a long time. “No, I’m an actor. I’m the star of Operation Amazon.” He narrowed his eyes as if he couldn’t believe I didn’t know anything about his rise to fame.