Page 39 of Hidden Desire

Two hours later, she was all dolled up and, in a robe, told which dressing room she could wait in. She grabbed the same woman that had initially pulled her to the side. “Excuse me. You know that woman that came here with me, will you ask her to come to the room?”

“I’m sorry, but I have been rushing around here all morning, and do you think I could possibly remember everyone that was here?”

Stassi sighed. “I understand, but if you have remember her. She’s probably sitting by the front door or something. She’ll look out of place. Just I really would love if you could get her for me. Since I’m dressed like this, I really don’t…well, you know.” She gave a genuine smile, hoping that the woman would budge. The woman shrugged and walked off.

“How rude,” Stassi mumbled. She checked up and down the hallway. The hallway was empty. She shrugged and hurried down the corridor until she reached the opening where people were gathered around with the cameras. She finally spotted Sage and was relieved when she looked up and met her gaze. Stassi motioned for her to come over to her and Sage did but seemed to with such reluctance.

“Thought I lost you,” Sage replied. Her words barely came out above a whisper.

“Sorry about that.” Stassi led the way back down the corridor to the dressing room. “I tried to get them to go and get you and well, it was a feat that I failed miserably.” Stassi closed her door and grinned. “How do I look?”

Sage gave a semi-smile and nodded. She then glanced around the room. “So, what happens now?”

“Well, my agent Kelly will come in at any moment. Then wardrobe will bring in my outfits and they’ll devise a plan. Could take several hours, though.” Stassi leaned back against the vanity. “If you hadn’t noticed, there’s at least fifty other models that are going through the same thing.”

“Overkill,” Sage mumbled.

Stassi frowned. “What was that?”

Sage shook her head. “Didn’t realize what it took to do a photoshoot.”

Stassi nodded. “Yeah, it’s a lot, but the end is usually worth it.” When Sage didn’t acknowledge that, Stassi smiled. “So, you and Lena…how long have you been friends? Where did you meet…hospital, I assume?”

“You would think,” Sage began. “We actually met and became friends in Biology class at the University. Then we sort of drifted apart, until fate brought us back to the same hospital.”

“Wow. Impressive. She seems like a great woman.”

Sage nodded. “She is. I’m lucky to call her my friend.”

The conversation died and Stassi considered another path to bring Sage out of her shell. If Sage didn’t want to converse about the modeling, then she would keep the conversation on her and the hospital. It should have been an easy task, but Stassi faltered. There was a knock on the door and that thirty seconds was a beacon.

“I’m decent,” Stassi hollered out.

Kelly opened the door and peered inside. She came in and gave air kisses in Stassi’s direction, then heaved a sigh. “I have been roaming the halls looking for someone that could point me in your direction. It is a nuthouse out there.”

“That’s what I was saying. It’s been a while since I’ve seen so many models in one place.” Stassi opened her mouth again to introduce Sage, when Kelly looked in her direction.

“Hon, will you get me a green juice? I’m literally dying. And if I don’t have my pick-me-up, ain’t nobody happy.”

Sage’s jaw dropped, and Stassi took a step closer to her. “Kelly, you have it wrong. This is Sage. She’s with me.”

Kelly gave a nod, then looked down at her phone. “I wasn’t going to pass judgment Stassi. If you hired an assistant, then kudos to you.” She looked up and gave a fake smile. “My juice and all will be right with the world.”

“Kelly!” Stassi hollered. “She’s not my assistant. She’s my girlfriend.”

Kelly looked up, eyes wide. “Oh, didn’t see that coming.” She tossed up her hands.

Stassi glanced over at Sage, and Sage had her eyes directed on her. There wasn’t one hint of a smile and that startled Stassi. She bit her tongue and turned back to Kelly.

“I’ll get someone to get you your juice,” she mumbled. She reached for the phone that every dressing room came equipped with. One that you use if you need anything. Pushing a button connects you to the main desk.

“This is Margot,” the woman answered.

“Hello, is there someone that could bring a green juice to dressing room 32. I would appreciate it.”

“On its way, Ms. Hewitt.” She hung up the line and turned to Kelly.

“It will be here soon.” She turned to Sage, who looked down at the floor, and Stassi mentally sighed. The morning wasn’t going as she had hoped. A few short minutes later, there was a knock on the door, and Kelly’s juice had arrived. Stassi turned to Sage. “Did you want anything?”

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