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Fen studied him for a moment. The teasing disappeared, replaced by a seriousness Grady hadn’t expected. “When was the last time you two had more than five minutes alone?”

His hand squeezed the door handle.

Well, shit.

He should’ve known this was coming eventually. Fen spent more time with his employer than anyone else. If Willow could spot something from one look across the street, the man who organized most of Amanda’s day had no chance of missing it.

He kept his expression neutral anyway. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Fen gave him a look that said he wasn’t buying the bullshit for a second. “Please. I manage her schedule. I’ve spent the past week watching the two of you try to find thirty seconds when the crew, the paparazzi, or half the population of Antelope Rock isn’t around.”

Apparently, they weren’t hiding it nearly as well as he’d thought.

“Does Amanda know we're having this conversation?”

“God, no. She'd fire me.”

He remembered Amanda threatening Fen with exactly that fate more than once. The fact that the man didn't seem remotely concerned told him those threats probably happened often. “Good to know.”

Leaning one shoulder against the SUV, Fen made himself comfortable as though Grady didn't have somewhere else to be. “So?”

“So what?”

“Answer my question. When was the last time you were actually alone with her?”

He considered telling Fen it was none of his damn business. Technically, it wasn't. Whatever existed between him and Amanda belonged to them, and he had no intention of discussing the details with her assistant.

Fen apparently took his lack of an answer as encouragement. “What if I told you I could arrange for the two of you to have some time alone? No cameras, no reporters, and no one interrupting you every five minutes.”

A spark of hope flared before common sense could stomp it out.

He should refuse. In fact, he definitely shouldn’t be interested in whatever scheme Fen was about to propose. The man had proven himself damn good at his job over the past week. He’d also proven he had no problem meddling when he thought the situation called for it.

Then again, nine days without Amanda had made common sense a hell of a lot less persuasive.

“How?”

The smile that spread across Fen’s face immediately made Grady suspicious. “Leave that to me.”

“No.” The answer came without hesitation.

Fen drew back, his eyes wide. “No?”

“I know that look, and I don’t like it.” He let go of the door handle and turned to face him. “If whatever you’re planning involves lying to Amanda, manipulating her, or getting me photographed sneaking into Edith’s house, forget it.”

Indignation replaced the surprise. “I would never do any of that! Please. I’m a professional.”

“At what?”

“Managing Amanda’s life. You have no idea how complicated that can be.”

After the past week, Grady was beginning to.

“I know her schedule, and I know when the crew needs her and when they don’t. More importantly, I know how to make several hours disappear from her calendar without anyone panicking.”

“Several hours?” The idea sounded damn near luxurious.

“Possibly more if you stop insulting me.”