Page 7 of Enjoying the Ride

“Names please,” she says by way of greeting.

“Um, I’m Posey Allstrom and this is Kelly Dwyer.”

Kelly gives a small smile as the receptionist hands me two clipboards.“You’re the last girls to arrive.Go ahead into the meeting room, just down that hall.”She gestures vaguely to the left.

“Okay,” I say too brightly, my own nerves growing as Kelly and I turn to make our way forwards.I have pretty much zero doubt that I’ll get eliminated within the first fifteen minutes of this contest, but still, I have pride.And I don’t like the idea of being kicked out or embarrassed in front of other people.

“Last chance to run,” I mutter to Kelly as we come to stand in front of the large doors.

She shakes her head.“Nope, this is my opportunity to get out from under Dr.Smiley’s grabby hands.And I’m taking it.”

Kelly pulls one of the doors open, and we step inside.It closes behind us with a silent hiss, almost like the sound of our fates being sealed.

Like the main foyer, this so-called conference room is elaborate and beautiful.The space is full of lush couches, low tables, and gorgeous flowers.There are floor-to-ceiling windows on one side of the room which offer a sweeping view of New York City.

I can’t help myself and immediately walk to the large, tinted windows.

Thisis why I moved to Manhattan, I muse, pressing my hands against the glass and taking in the city before me.It’s awe-inspiring.

“Posey,” Kelly hisses, bringing me back to reality.“Oh my god, we’re toast.Look at the other girls.They’re gorgeous!Who the hell has curves like that?”She juts her chin toward a sassy brunette, who’s tossing her hair back as she giggles.

I roll my eyes.“You, Kelly.Youhave a body like that,” I remind her.

She huffs.“No,youdo, Posey.Oh shit, this was a mistake…”

But we don’t have time to argue the point any further.The woman who greeted us strides into the room, clapping her hands together as she crosses the large room.

“Girls, settle down please and take a seat.Your pageant director will be arriving at any moment.Please stay calm.”

Kelly and I exchange a shrug before making our way toward the handful of couches gathered into a semi-circle.Stay calm?I’m expecting a frumpy middle-aged woman with a notebook, or maybe a former beauty queen with too-much make-up and helmet-like hair.

The receptionist strides back out and the murmuring picks up once more.But then, a door on the far side of the room opens, and the crowd goes silent because the newcomer isgorgeous.

The most stunningly handsome man stalks towards us.He strides into the room like a god about to partake in a feast—and I’m pretty sure us women are on the menu.

His chiseled jaw is sharp, his lips set in a soft frown.Blue eyes—bluer than any eyes I’ve ever seen before— feel like they can see straight into my soul.His pitch-black hair is the perfect balance of disheveled and styled.

But it’s his body that makes me gasp.He’s wearing a white button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to reveal bronzed skin and the collar unbuttoned just enough to show off his chiseled chest.His arms look like they’re about to bust the seams as he crosses them, broad shoulders like a tank.

“You didn’t tell me that male models were part of this whole thing!”I hiss at Kelly.She waves her hand at me, shushing me.

Then, two other men stride in after the first one—also sexy and full of masculine energy, albeit younger.Their sharp blue eyes take in the room, but unlike the first man, these two are actually smiling.One of the guys smirks and I blink at the perfection of his features.

Oh my gosh these are the hottest guys I’ve ever seen in my life.I really, really don’t want to make an ass of myself in front of them.

But the three men don’t join us on the couches.Instead, each one takes a seat in the plush chairs set up to face the semi-circle.The first man— the one it’s impossible to stop looking at—sits in the middle chair and leans toward us, his gaze intense.

Realization strikes me.

Oh crap, oh crap.

“Welcome, ladies,” the man drawls, sending a shiver through my body.“My name is Trek Mirago, and I’ll be serving as your pageant director.”

This MAN is the pageant director?I thought pageant directors were women!

I swallow hard and sit up straighter, my entire body quivering with surprise and arousal.Blue eyes lock onto mine, the fierceness within their depths a shock.I manage to quit squirming, and instead, stare back at the man, mouth agape.Then, I realize that I must look like an idiot.My jaw is hanging open and I shut it with an audible snap.

Oh god, I’ve already embarrassed myself.I definitely won’t be in contention for any kind of prize now.Meanwhile, the man smirks and looks away.

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