Total pages in book: 210
Estimated words: 203847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1019(@200wpm)___ 815(@250wpm)___ 679(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 203847 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1019(@200wpm)___ 815(@250wpm)___ 679(@300wpm)
“Are you sure? I think it could be starting to move.”
“No, no. I’ll get out now.” I dig my hand into my purse and pull out two tens. “Here. Keep the change.”
“Sure you’ll be alright, darlin’?”
“It’s only a block away.” I smile and push the door open. “Thanks.”
I push it shut behind me and step onto the sidewalk. A wolf whistle echoes behind me and I roll my eyes, reaching for my ringing cell at the same time. What is it tonight?
“Hello?”
“Liv,” my agent’s voice comes through the speaker. “Where are you?”
“Downtown. I’m having a few drinks with the guys from the wine bar.”
“Great. I’m just calling to let you know you have a shoot on Thursday.”
“Really?” I scoot round a group of girls hogging the sidewalk. “For who?”
“It’s a trial for Victoria’s Secret. Since Luisa left last month, they’ve been holding secret shoots around the country, and I got you one of the last in the North West.”
I stop in the middle of the street. My jaw nearly hits the floor. Did she just say what I think she did? “Victoria’s Secret?”
“Yes. It’s tough competition. Mr. Stone pulled some strings and is having you photographed by one of our photographers instead of theirs.”
“Great.” I look up and notice I’m standing outside the club I’m meeting everyone in. “Shall I come in on Monday to get all the details?”
“Yes, do. Have fun tonight. Bye, Liv.” Sheila clicks off.
I take a deep breath before I enter the club and my head is assaulted by the incessant pounding of heavy music. It’s still early but that doesn’t matter—I still have to shimmy my way through groups of people with yells of, “Excuse me! Sorry!” to reach the stairs to take me to the second floor bar.
It’s blessedly empty on the short stairwell, and I take a deep breath. Man, I’m getting too old for this clubbing shit.
I move into the second floor. This one is emptier than downstairs, and immediately I find my ex-colleagues at the bar. All of them have a glass of wine in their hands, surprisingly, and it’s Amy who notices me first.
“Liv! Liv’s here! Jackson, pour her a glass of wine.”
I accept her hug and turn to Jackson. His light green eyes seem to smile at me as he hands me the glass and stands.
“Thanks,” I take the drink from him and perch on his empty stool. His eyes comb over my body approvingly, and a low tingle starts in my lower stomach.
“You’re welcome.”
I turn away with a smile. Everyone knows sleeping with your boss is a bad idea… but he’s not technically my boss anymore. So he’s fair game. Right?
He certainly doesn’t look like he wants to not sleep with me, that’s for sure.
“Right,” Leanne says, looking around at us all. “Can we please get this party started now?”
My head is a little fuzzy. My feet are kinda hurting, too. I wish I could whip off these god-awful heels and prance around barefoot for the next ten minutes, but that would be undignified.
Woops.
I lick my spilled wine from the back of my hand and giggle to myself. Dignity-schmignity. Clearly I left mine at home. Or maybe it ran away in the restroom. Who knows?
Perhaps it never existed.
I giggle again.
“Someone’s had their fair share of wine tonight.” Jackson slides into the seat across the table from me, his light hair mussed and sticking up. He shoots me a dazzling smile.
“It’s your birthday. Celebration, right?”
He mock-pouts. “Celebrating what? Me being a year older?”
I pat his hand across the table. “You’re only as young as the woman you feel.” I wink.
“How’s the new job?”
My stomach drop at his diversion. “It’s good. My new manager gives me the hours and flexibility I need.”
He raises his hands in the air in defense. “The orders came from the powers that be. I just did what I was told.”
I try not to put my lingering annoyance in my gaze. Truth is, I love the wine bar. I worked there for three years, and I never wanted to leave. But they wouldn’t adjust my hours so my days are free for modelling, and it’s vital I have that option.
Especially now. If the next few shoots go well, especially the one my agent called about earlier, then I won’t have to work in a bar at all.
I hold onto this thought as I finish the rest of my wine and set the glass on the table.
“Do you want another?” Jackson motions to the empty glass and I shake my head.
“Not right now. Thanks, though.” I smile and he returns the gesture. Our eye contact lingers, and just when I think he’s going to—
“Do you know where the others went?” he asks.
My stomach drops again. Apparently I’m not finding my way to his bed tonight either.
“Nope,” I reply. My tone is noticeably clipped, and Jackson pauses before he stands.