The Model: A Workplace Romance

by Layne, Harlow

  “You know I hate going to the doctor.” Every time I stepped inside a doctor's office, I came out sicker than I was when I walked in. The last time I got strep and had to cancel all my appointments for a week. Otherwise, they never knew what was wrong with me and continued to charge an outlandish amount while asking me to make multiple appointments. Fuck that shit.

  With her hands on her hips, Raine’s face grew serious. “If you’re not better by the end of the week, I’m making an appointment.”

  “Fine,” I huffed, giving in.

  “Great,” she clapped. “Also, I picked up your new business cards with your new phone number,” Raine handed the box to me from across my desk. “I took a peek to make sure they didn’t mess up, and I love the new look. Should I email everyone in your contact list your new phone number tonight?” She bit her bottom lip and chewed on it.

  “You don’t have to stay late.” I sat the box down on my desk. “You can do it tomorrow when you come in. Now, let’s get to work before the natives get restless.”

  “We’re going to melt out there. It’s so hot.”

  “Too bad we don’t have a mister. Can you tell me why we don’t have one? It would make life so much easier.”

  “I can take a spray bottle and spray it in the fan when it gets too hot.”

  “Or we can take a dip in the pool,” I cocked my head to the side. “I guess that wouldn’t be very professional, would it?”

  “Probably not, but I don’t think anyone would fault us. You are planning to have Sebastian and Kamilah get in the water at some point, right?”

  I grabbed my extra battery pack off the charger. “So, what are you saying, we should all jump in the pool together if we need to cool off?”

  Raine shrugged as she picked up my clipboard with my notes for the shoot. It helped to be organized and to know ahead what you and the client wanted, especially when you weren’t feeling well.

  Two hours later, I was close to ruining the shoot. I felt like at any moment I would projectile vomit all over Sebastian and Kamilah as I squatted down in front of them while sweat trickled down my back. If I had been able to shoot in the morning or evening, I would have, but the lighting wouldn’t have been right, so we were all suffering.

  The shoot was taking longer in part because I was swallowing back the bile that was sitting in the back of my throat, everyone was taking multiple water breaks and getting their makeup and hair retouched due to all the sweating.

  “Lexie, are we almost done?” Kamilah whined. Her straight black hair was sticking to her back, and she looked utterly miserable in between each setup.

  “As soon as I get this shot, we’re done. I guess I should have held out on doing the water shots until now, huh?”

  “If it was up to me, the entire shoot would have been in the water,” Sebastian added.

  We all nodded in agreement. We were afflicted by the unseasonable heat along with the humidity, making the time seem to drag on and on. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I found fun in any shoot I was doing, but not today, and my mood was reflected back at me.

  “Get the misery out of your eyes and pretend you’re in the mountains with snow all around you. Feel the cool breeze against your skin. Imagine goosebumps erupting on your skin. Now arch your back and bring your face closer to Sebastian’s, Kamilah.” She did as directed, and I could finally feel the shift. “Turn your head toward me, but keep looking out into the distance.” I took the shot and knew it was flawless. “Sebastian, shift your hand on her hip.” Moving his hand, his long digits gripped her inner thigh. His fingers were close to touching the purple underwear that I was trying to get customers to buy. I applauded Kamilah for keeping her composure. I wasn’t sure I would have been comfortable having some stranger’s hand that close to my most private parts for the last hour.

  “Perfect. That’s a wrap. Now go cool off,” I ordered. I was already stepping back under the canopy and positioning myself in front of the fan as Kamilah and Sebastian jumped into the pool. The relief from the heat was instant. I sagged in my seat and closed my eyes as I felt the nausea slowly seep away. Taking in a deep breath, I let it calm my racing heart and slowly let it out. When I opened my eyes, Raine was standing in front of me with a concerned look.

  “Are you okay? It seemed like you were struggling the whole day.”

  I wanted to tell her it wasn’t nice to comment on such things, but I kept it locked down. “Everyone was struggling. It felt like the heat was melting us on this roof. Are you telling me it didn’t bother you?” I knew it had. Raine’s clothes were drenched with sweat, and the little tendrils of hair that had escaped her ponytail were plastered to the side of her face. She was a mess, and I didn’t even want to know what I looked like. I’d sprayed mist on my face so many times throughout the last few hours and repeatedly put my hair up in a messy bun on the top of my head. I was sure my hair was sticking up all over the place.

  Raine plopped down in the chair beside me and sprayed herself in the face. When some of the mist drifted over to me, feeling like heaven, I let out a happy sigh. With her hand resting on the back of the chair, she turned to look at me. “I thought my shoes were going to melt to the roof. Can you imagine how hot it would be if the ground was black?”

  We wouldn’t have been able to continue.

  “How are you feeling?”

  “Better now that I’m cooling off. I’m not sure why we’re still up here and not inside with the air conditioning. I need to drink a gallon of water and take a nap after that.”

  “At least you look a little less green,” she commented. “Now, you’re slightly flushed.”

  What the hell was wrong with Raine today? I wanted to say she shouldn’t say anything since she looked like shit too, but that wasn’t nice, and I was trying to be better. For the last two weeks, I hadn’t been pleasant to be around with Ryder’s betrayal and lack of communication, dealing with Ben’s incessant voicemails, and feeling like I wanted to throw up almost constantly, but I vowed to myself I wasn’t going to let it get to me and affect my job.

  Raine’s cheeks pinked up. “I’m sorry I just realized how that sounded, but I’m worried about you and hate seeing you so sad.”

  “I know you are, and it’s sweet. I can tell you’re going to be a great mother one day with the way you’ve taken care of me. I don’t like being like this either, and I’m trying not to let it get to me, but it’s hard when I feel like I’m going to throw up at any given moment.”

  Raine cocked a knowing brow at me and mouthed ‘doctor’ at me.

  Letting out a frustrated sigh, I stood. “When am I going to find the time to go to the doctor? I have too much work to do.”

  “You won’t be able to work if there’s something seriously wrong with you, or you end up dead.”

  A startled laugh escaped. “That’s a little drastic, don’t you think? I doubt I’m going to die, but to make you feel better, you can make me an appointment.” Hopefully, the doctor could give me something to make me feel better, as well.

  “Really?” When I nodded, she jumped up. “I’m going to do it now before you change your mind.”

  I’d go to the doctor, but they’d probably tell me that it would pass and all I needed to do was rest. I appreciated that Raine was worried about me and the situation with Ben. She’d offered to stay with me numerous times since she hated that I was here by myself all the time, but I was used to it. This was my life.

  18

  Ryder

  Sitting in a chair way too small for my size, I waited for my name to be called. My agent had insisted since I was in South Africa that I go to this casting call for a brand I’d never heard of. She assured me they were very big in the Latino culture, and it would be great for my career. I wasn’t sure how a company in South Africa was big in the Latino world, but I’d take her word on it. I wanted to argue I was busy enough, but when she threatened me with no more gym time, I kept my mouth shut. She knew exactly where to hit me so it hurt. I couldn
’t be a successful model if I didn’t work out, and we both knew it. It was a good thing I loved the post-workout high; otherwise, I’d never get out of bed.

  With Lexie no longer taking my calls, I’d been working out during all my spare time. It was the only thing that got her out of my mind.

  “Yo, what’s up, dude?” Parker sat down beside me with a big grin. That guy was always happy.

  “Chillin’ while I wait for them to call my name. I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you were in…where was it again? Paris?” It was hard to keep track of what country I was in, let alone someone else.

  “I was, but once my job ended, Angie sent me here.”

  Fucking Angie. Not only did she want me here, but she was sending more competition for me as well. Only one guy was getting the job, and at this point, I didn’t care if I got it or not. In a little over two months, I would be back in the US and headed to Washington to see my family for a whole month. I couldn’t wait to see them and be lazy.

  “You don’t mind, do you?”

  “Nah, man, I don’t care. I’d be happy if you got the job. You deserve it.”

  Parker frowned. “So, do you. You work harder than anyone I know.”

  “Whoever gets the job will be busy traveling all over the world for the next six months, and I’m burned out. I need a break and a home-cooked meal.”

  “Why’d you come then if you don’t want the job?”

  “Angie,” we both said in unison.

  “Can I tell you something, and you won’t tell anyone?” Parker was a good guy, but I wasn’t sure if he was a secret keeper or not.

  “Of course, we’re friends so you can tell me anything.” He pretended to zip his lips and threw away the key. I didn’t even know people did that in real life. I’d only seen it on TV a handful of times.

  “When my contract with Angie runs out at the end of the year, I don’t think I’m going to sign with her again. I want to have more control over what jobs I pick. She has the mentality that I should take every job that’s offered and while that’s been great…”

  “You need a break. I hear ya, man. I don’t think I could handle the schedule you’ve kept this year. I fly out maybe once every month or two for a shoot, and that’s all I can handle. You’re constantly on the go.”

  “I am, and I know I’ve been lucky with Angie. She normally makes it so I can stay an extra day or two to sightsee before I move on to the next place, but damn, I’m tired. She threatened to cut my gym access if I didn’t go on this casting call. Can you believe that?”

  “What a fucking bitch. She’s using your niceness to her advantage. I would love to be a fly on the wall when she finds out you won’t be signing with her again.”

  Yeah, me too. Angie was going to blow her lid and would be relentless for me to sign with her again.

  “Do you know who you’re going to go with?”

  I shook my head. “Not really. Lexie said she had some contacts for me, but…”

  “But,” Parker’s eyes went wide, “what happened with that hottie photographer? You didn’t fuck it up, did you? Because, seriously, when we were in Rio, I was so damn jealous of you. You’re one lucky son of a bitch.”

  “I don’t feel so lucky now. When I was in Sydney with Lana, my phone somehow got busted. I swear she did it on purpose.”

  “Your brand new iPhone? Dude, what the hell? And better yet, why were you with Lana?”

  “Unfortunately, we were on a job together. If there was a way for me to make it so I never have to work with her, I would, but you know I can’t.”

  “Not yet, but once you’re the most famous male supermodel there is, you’ll be able to,” Parker cracked up beside me at his joke, making me laugh right along with him. If I ever did become a supermodel, I wouldn’t become a diva like some models out there. “So, what happened?”

  “She asked if she could borrow my phone because there was something wrong with hers and she needed to call her agent with some urgent matter. When she came back with my phone, it no longer worked. Instead of going off on her, I left the club for a little while to cool down.”

  “Wow, hold up there. Why were you in a club?”

  “For the shoot. It was pretty awesome except for Lana being there.”

  “She ruins everything.” His jaw ticked.

  “It took a few days for me to get a new phone and phone number; when I called Lexie, she didn’t answer or call me back. I didn’t get a chance to call her again for a few days, and when I did finally get the time to call her, it said her phone was disconnected or was no longer in service. I don’t know what I did to make her so pissed off at me. Before that, we were good and talking every few days and then nothing.” I clenched my hands into fists at the thought.

  Parker looked at me like I was crazy. “Why did you get a new phone number?”

  “Because I’m stupid. I don’t know. It made sense at the time with what the guy told me. Now it probably fucked me with Lexie.”

  “Are you sure it didn’t have anything to do with the picture Lana posted on Instagram?”

  My stomach sank.

  “What picture?” I had a feeling what I was about to see wasn’t going to be good.

  “You’re kidding me, right? Lana posted a picture of you guys all up close and personal and made it seem like you two were together.”

  “Together?” I tried to gulp down the rock that had formed in my throat, but it wouldn’t go down.

  “Yeah, you don’t follow her?”

  “Why the hell would I follow Lana? I can’t stand her and now…” And now I wanted to pull my hair out. Did Lexie seriously think I was with Lana now? I didn’t think there was a person on the planet that she hated more and if she thought I’d fucked Lana or was with her…

  She couldn’t.

  Parker pulled out his phone and scrolled with furrowed brows. “You only follow four people. What’s wrong with you?”

  “I only go on to post.” And to try and stalk Lexie until she blocked me. “Angie didn’t say I had to follow people, and who would I follow, anyway?”

  “You’re so lame, dude. Since you don’t follow the_lovely_lana, here’s what she posted.” He handed his phone over to me.

  I took it gingerly, like the surface was as hot as the sun, and stared down at a picture of Lana and me on a couch with her on my lap as she kissed my cheek. Her title read: Living my best life with this man. There were five emojis, all with heart eyes, that made me sick. I closed my eyes, trying to get rid of the image, but when I did, all I saw was Lexie with tears in her eyes from when we parted ways in Rio.

  I should have known Lana was up to something when she turned sweet as pie halfway through the shoot and asked to borrow my phone. Why was I so stupid?

  “Do you think Lexie saw this?”

  “Why do you think she changed her phone number?”

  Throwing his phone at him, I glared at Parker. “Lexie wouldn’t change her number because of me.” At least I didn’t think so. I at least deserved the chance for her to hear me out. “When I first met her, her ex…” I broke off thinking of all the things she’d told me about Ben. He was unstable, and who knew what he’d done since I’d last talked to her. Did she change her number because of him? Had something more happened? Was she okay? He could have hurt her again, and I wouldn’t even know it. My head spun with questions. Maybe once I was finished here, I’d find someplace with internet and google her.

  Parker cleared his throat, and I tried to shake off my worry for the time being. “What happened with her ex? It can’t be good if she changed her number because of him.”

  No shit, Sherlock.

  I’d never mentioned it to Lexie, but every time I saw what her ex had done to her, I wanted to fly into a rage. I knew if I touched upon it, she would have felt self-conscious about the mark, and by the time we left Rio, it had been looking better. Now I wasn’t sure what state she was in.

  “I don’t know if you noticed she had a long scratch
on her neck.”

  “Of course, I saw it, but I wasn’t going to say anything about it.” Thank God for that. He finally used his brain.

  “That was why she met me in Rio. It happened a couple of days before, and Lexie was scared. Her ex seems deranged, and now I don’t know what’s going on with her or the situation with him.”

  “So, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to give up on that little hottie photographer?”

  I hated him calling her that, but Lexie was indeed a hottie, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

  “I don’t want to, but what can I do? I don’t have her number, and I’m out of the country until the end of November?”

  “Go see her when you get back to The States. Explain what happened and beg for forgiveness. Get down on your knees if you have to, do whatever it takes. You don’t want to let ‘the one’ get away.”

  “What makes you think Lexie’s ‘the one’?” I thought maybe it had all been in my head after she stopped communicating with me. She never seemed to want more, and I never asked. Maybe if I had…

  I stopped that train of thought. I knew I couldn’t go down the ‘what if’ train or my mind would be reeling with questions.

  “What makes you think she isn’t?” Parker fired back.

  “When we left, Rio I thought she was, but now…”

  “Now?”

  “I still think she is, but what do you do when your person hates you?” Because Lexie had to hate me after seeing that damn picture. The next time I saw Lana, I was going to…hell, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was too pissed off to even think straight when it came to her, and it made me realize why Lexie felt the way she did about Lana.

  Parker put his hand on my shoulder. “I think in a couple more months she’ll be cooled down and ready to listen to what you have to say.”

  And if she wasn’t?

  As if he could read my mind, Parker gave me a sad smile. “Do what I said. I only saw you two together for a short time, but I believe you’re meant to be together. The way you looked at each other when the other wasn’t looking. Hell, even when you were looking at each other.” He shook his head. “I knew then you had it bad.”