“Don’t I know it,” Brooklyn sighed, and the women laughed.
“Knowing I wouldn’t be able to swim competitively forever, I launched Streamline to design swimming gear that I wanted to wear. It was hard to find a suit that fit correctly, a cap that wasn’t too tight, or goggles that didn’t fog or let water in, so my company was born. I’ve recently designed two new lines. One is for men, inspired by my handsome husband.” She pointed out Noah, who reluctantly waved, looking like he rather be anywhere else. He also wore a Streamline T-shirt with a pair of Peyton’s newly designed board shorts.
“The other is a casual women’s line more for a day at the beach or lounging by the pool instead of competition. I’m excited to have you model them today.”
Stella handed her a suit, and she held it up. “As you can see, I designed these with my love of tropical fabrics. We have the classic string bikini, but we also feature sporty suits that you could wear to surf or play beach volleyball and not have to worry about one of the girls popping out.”
The women laughed. “That’s happened to me before,” Carmelina moaned. “So embarrassing.”
“It is,” Peyton agreed. “We have a selection to choose from that will keep that from happening, from tankinis to rash guards to as close to a sports bra as you’d find. We’ve got zip fronts, racerbacks, and everything in between. As a bonus, all of my suits provide UPF fifty-plus protection, meaning that the fabric blocks ninety-eight percent of the sun’s rays, thus reducing your exposure. And something important to me is that the suits are made in the USA in a Fair Trade Certified facility that provides sustainable livelihoods and safe working conditions for the women and men who sew the suits.”
Rubi Hewett held up a hand.
“Yes?”
She patted her hips. “What about us plus-sized girls? No one wants to see me in a bikini.”
“I wouldn’t consider you plus size,” Peyton disagreed. “You have a beautiful body.”
“Thank you, but by model standards, I’m huge.” She pointed to Nari Kim standing beside her. “Look at the difference.”
“All I see are two gorgeous women I’d be happy to have wear my swimwear,” Peyton said. “But to ease your concerns, we have halter tankini tops that provide full torso coverage and rash guards in both short and long sleeves. I’ve also brought along some of the competitive suits that offer more coverage as well if you’d feel more comfortable in one of those.”
“Thank you, Peyton,” Brooklyn said. “Your designs are gorgeous. Ladies, head to wardrobe and pick out your suits. You’ll come back here for the shoot.”
The women shrieked and rushed forward. Brooklyn and Peyton barely avoided being plowed over.
“I can’t thank you enough for doing this on such short notice,” Brooklyn told Peyton.
“Are you kidding? This couldn’t have happened at a better time for me. Besides, Gage asked. That’s all that was needed. We take care of family.”
The statement, said so honestly, slammed into Brooklyn. Yes, she had Ginny and her grandmother, but there was no one else as far as family. She loved Cheyenne, but they were completely different people leading busy lives. They rarely connected. She certainly didn’t count the twins. She was glad Gage had the support he needed.
“And I can’t thank you enough for volunteering to model for the print ads. Sales will skyrocket.”
“I’m sure it’s your name that sells the suits,” she said with sincerity. “Not to mention the fit and designs you created. I wasn’t kidding when I said they were the most comfortable suits I’ve worn and ones I’ll wear from now on.”
Peyton hugged her. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”
While they were waiting for the first woman to arrive, Brooklyn brought up something she thought about last night. “Have you visited the boutique in the main house?”
“We all did and bought outfits.”
“What do you think about selling your suits there? The boutique does well all year round, and your swimwear would be a perfect fit.”
“Are you kidding? That would be fabulous.”
“I’ll contact the manager and have her get in touch with you.”
Twenty minutes later, Jax led Terica Burr to a spot on the beach close to the water. Peyton sat with Brooklyn behind monitors beneath a canopy tent, watching the photos appear as Paulo Montoya snapped them. Gage sat under another tent with Noah and one of the security guards. His other coworkers and their wives left to enjoy the island amenities.
Jax ran the shoot like a drill sergeant, providing guidance and instructions to the women as they arrived. He directed them into the correct positions and coached them on how to catch the proper lighting.
“Wow, it’s going to be hard to choose a favorite,” Peyton murmured. “The girls are all so stunning.”
“They are,” Brooklyn agreed. “I had a hard time narrowing the field to ten. Now I don’t know how I’ll choose from them. They all have star potential.”
Two more girls had their pictures taken before Jax called for a break. Staff from the main house brought boxed breakfast dishes and drinks for the crew. She and Peyton ate in the tent with Gage and Noah. They talked and laughed, and again, she marveled at how easy it was to converse with people she’d just met. It felt like she’d known them forever.
Shooting started again, and once all the women were photographed, they headed back to their house. Peyton left to be with her husband for a few hours while Brooklyn went to work going over each picture and selecting the best one representing each woman’s ability to highlight the swimsuits yet still look like a model. It was more challenging than she thought. While many of the photos were good, they weren’t great. The women had much to learn. Once she selected the best shots, she printed them out and handed them to one of the assistants to transport them to the judging room.
The sun bathed the island in warm rays as she stepped from the tent. The most handsome man on the planet was waiting for her, and her heart flipped in her chest.
“Hey,” she said to Gage. “I’m sorry you had to sit through this. I’m sure you were beyond bored.”
#
“Nah,” Gage said. When Noah had been around, they talked, and he was fine. Then Noah left with Peyton while Brooklyn went over the pictures. That’s when the morning seemed to drag. Mainly, he focused on Brooklyn, and time flew.
“How did it go today? I’ve never seen a live shoot, so I don’t know what distinguishes good from bad.”
She clapped her hands excitedly. “It was great. The women did a good job, although they still have a lot to learn. Peyton’s designs are amazing. She’ll be very successful.”
“She is at everything,” he agreed. “She was so excited that you offered to model the suits for free.” Brooklyn was at the top of the supermodel world. He remembered one model years ago saying something like they didn’t wake up for less than ten thousand dollars a day. That was probably thirty years ago. He could only imagine how much Brooklyn commanded for a shoot. That she’d offered to do so for Peyton had warmed him from the inside out.
“It wasn’t totally noble,” she insisted. “I love her suits. They’re what I’d wear to the beach. When I come across a product I truly love, I don’t mind waiving the typical fee.”
He’d watched her photo session live, but he couldn’t wait to see the prints of her in the bikinis. He’d be stealing some for personal use.
“Thank you again for convincing her to be a part of the show. She made it clear that it was because of you she even considered it. I owe you.”
There were so many responses to that sentence, but he took the high road and said, “You don’t owe me anything.”
“Are you kidding? Peyton Durant, Juliet LaRue, Harlow Duquesne, Cassidy Swain, and Layla Brooks? You’re superman.”
“Not hardly.” It was his coworkers who stepped up to the plate when he needed them. He was just the middleman. He changed the subject. “What happens next?”
“One has to leave already?”
“Yes and no. They have to leave the house and competition, but I was able to convince the network honchos that they needed to stick around to continue learning from the special guests. We’ve booked rooms in the hotel in Miami where most of the staff are staying. They’ll boat over in the mornings and take part in the lessons and shoots, but they won’t be on camera.”
They returned to the cottage so Brooklyn could change. Gage waited outside. If he went in with her, it would be a very long time before they left.
#
After Brooklyn changed clothes, they headed to the main house to grab lunch before driving to the model house. Kaycee would give the women lessons on developing their signature walk, and then they would navigate the runway constructed over the infinity pool.
Though she loved having him at her side, Gage stayed outside to chat with members of the security staff. The women were sitting on either side of the runway when she entered. She took a seat beside Jax and Stella while Kaycee waited for the prompt from the director to begin. The cameras came to life, and Kaycee stepped forward.
“Models spend a long time developing their walk at the beginning of their careers,” she started. “Many agencies have training, but you should also spend time in front of a mirror getting your walk down. Remember that you don’t want to run, but you don’t want to go too slow, either. Listen to the music if it’s playing and feel the beat. Keep your strides long, smooth, and natural. Plan where you’ll stop, shift your weight, and pose again before you move to allow photographers to take your picture.” She demonstrated the moves.
“You’ll want to practice expressions, too. Some shows might call for a serious vibe, while others will be flirty and fun. Know how to engage with both. Look ahead at all times, never at your feet. When you turn, your head should be the last thing to move.” She walked back down the platform, stopped at the other end, and turned.
“Practice makes perfect, but remember, you’re human. If you trip or fall, learn how to pick yourself up with grace and good humor. Then carry on as if nothing occurred. Chances are, it will happen to you more than once in your career. It certainly has to me, numerous times.”
“Me, too,” Brooklyn commiserated.
“Okay, ladies, show us what you’ve got.”
An hour later, Brooklyn left to find Gage. She needed to have her makeup touched up for the afternoon filming, so they motored to the conference center. She felt guilty that Gage had to sit around and wait on her, but he assured her he was fine.
The contestants arrived to have their hair and makeup done as she was finishing. She spoke to Jax for a few minutes before climbing back inside the golf cart so that Gage could drive them to the main house. The bleachers beside the pool were starting to fill. Gage’s coworkers were in attendance, and he went to sit with them. The production crew wanted a big crowd and asked the island staff to show up, and they obliged.
Curtains had been arranged to shield the women from view until it was their turn to walk the runway. When Jax arrived with the contestants, she met them in the staging area.
“This will be your first test of the competition. Give it your all but remember to enjoy yourself and have fun. The woman with the best combined scores from your runway walk and earlier photo will win a selection of Streamline suits.”
The girls cheered.
“Because we can’t make this too easy on you, the runway has been constructed over the infinity pool, and it’s only twelve inches wide.”
“Oh, my dear Lord,” Terica muttered.
“What happens if we fall in?” Nari asked nervously.
“Don’t,” Jax replied succinctly.
“Remember what Kaycee told you. If you stumble or fall, pick yourself up and continue. It’s not the end of the world. It happens. How you deal with it is what matters.”
“You’re up, Brooklyn,” one of the production assistants told her.
“That’s my cue. Good luck, ladies.” Brooklyn parted the curtains and walked out to announce the event to the crowd. Clark Hardy gave her the signal to begin, and she thanked everyone for attending before providing a brief rundown on what was about to happen. She pointed out Peyton, who stood and waved for the cameras. Once she finished with the introductions, she took a seat on the bleachers beside Kaycee and Stella.
Music began to play, and the first woman appeared. Genie started okay, though she looked exceedingly nervous, and her walk needed to be refined. She tended to sway her hips too much and hunch her shoulders, but her blond hair was artfully styled, and the red suit with white hibiscus flowers fit her perfectly. Suddenly, she stuttered and then teetered when her heel snapped off. Her arms windmilled, and with a scream, she tumbled over the edge and landed with a splash. The audience gasped. Brooklyn wanted to run to her but refrained, letting her handle the accident herself.
Genie surfaced looking humiliated, but she managed a smile and a small wave as she stroked to the steps. Jax helped her out. She turned to the audience and waved again as she limped away. Points for the way she handled the wardrobe malfunction.
Having the first contestant take a tumble wasn’t the beginning Brooklyn envisioned. It was hard following a model after they fell, with worry making you fear your own steadiness. Olathe Lovett walked out looking high fashion in a black bikini with a green leaf pattern. Her black hair was teased, and her makeup accentuated her strong features. She paused at the end, turned, and headed back without missing a beat. Two more models followed, both lacking in fundamentals and correct posture. They’d need to practice in front of mirrors to perfect their walk. Then Hazel Castillo stepped out. She strutted with her head held high, looking glamourous and as if she belonged on the stage. But the unexpected happened. The strings holding her bikini top came undone, exposing her chest to a gasping audience. She looked down and screamed, trying to cover her breasts. Her jerky movements caused her to wobble on her heels, and she ungracefully plunged over the side, wailing like an injured animal.
Brooklyn winced, feeling horrified for the woman. The true character of a model was how she dealt with unexpected obstacles. Unfortunately, unlike Genie, Hazel failed. Instead of acknowledging the mishap and going forward as they’d been taught, she broke down and sobbed in the water. One of the lifeguards swam over to assist her, but she angrily batted her away, screeching the entire time. When she finally made it to the side of the pool, Jax leaned down to help her out. Once she was out of the water, she shrugged him off and stomped away with her arms crossed over her chest.
It wasn’t common for an outfit to fail, but it happened. Hazel should’ve been able to regroup and proceed. The rest of the show proceeded without incident. Brooklyn thanked the crowd for attending and headed to the conference center with Kaycee, Jax, Peyton, Gage and Noah.
Once Clark gave the signal, the women filed inside and stood in two rows in front of the judges. Brooklyn studied their faces. Many looked apprehensive. Genie bit her lip in distress. Hazel looked pissed.
She called the women one by one. Each judge issued a score from one to ten for the photos from the morning shoot and another score for the runway walk. The highest combined total would be declared the winner, while the lowest score would be eliminated. After each contestant had been critiqued and the scores tabulated, Olathe earned the highest marks and was declared safe. Her photo would also be featured on the Streamline website. She was followed by Nari, Alease, Rose, Rubi, Genie, Carmelina, and Terica. That left Hazel and Amber. She asked the two women to step forward. She hated to say anything negative, especially when they were trying their best, but constructive criticism would help them improve.
“Amber, your pictures weren’t good. I had a hard time finding one where you looked like a model.
Jax said you didn’t follow directions. However, your runway walk was solid, and you showcased the suit well.” She turned to the other woman, who glared at her belligerently. Brooklyn was taken aback by her attitude. “Hazel, your photos were strong, and we felt you showed promise. However, your runway was a disaster. Accidents happen all the time, as Genie can attest. She made the best of an unpleasant situation. Instead of regrouping, you fell apart. No one would’ve faulted you if you’d attempted to hold the halter over your chest as long as you continued. But your breakdown was disastrous.” Hazel rolled her eyes, causing Brooklyn to clench her jaw to keep from commenting.
“We’ve combined the scores from the photos and the runway, and the person who will stay is…Amber.”
Amber covered a sob and hugged Brooklyn. “Thank you so much.”
Brooklyn approached Hazel. “This isn’t the end of the road. We want every woman here to benefit from the opportunities we’ve scheduled. Therefore, you’ll be taking part in each of the remaining shoots to add to your portfolio. You’ll also be in the running for the fan-favorite award once the show airs, but you will move out of the house.”
Hazel’s green eyes blazed as she stalked forward. “This is totally unfair. It wasn’t my fault the wardrobe malfunctioned. It was yours.” She pointed a threatening finger, but Brooklyn refused to flinch. “I should’ve been guaranteed a safe environment. The wardrobe people should be held accountable. Not me.”
“I’m not sure where your bravado is coming from, Hazel. No one here is guaranteed anything. Accidents happen. I was in a show once in front of a group of high school kids. One woman’s boobs popped out. Instead of flailing around, crying hysterically, and frankly, making a fool of herself as you did, she strutted forward and owned the show. It certainly wasn’t planned, and no one expected it to happen, but instead of making it into a disaster, she worked it. You could’ve done the same.”
Dressed to Kill (COBRA Securities Book 22) Page 20