Page 15 of Take Hold of Me

Wanting to deflect her away from Wills, I pick up my spoon, stir the caféand say, “Maman, it is time for me to sign again with the Agency.” The soothing scent of the brew perfumes the air as if I were back in Paris, taking some of the sting out of Wills’s rejections.

She removes her earring at the change in topic but goes with it. “Price Modeling has done a wonderful job with your career.”

I purse my lips. “Oui. But I think I should have an attorney look it over again. Lizzie says she always has someone review hers when it comes up for renewal.” She mentioned this to me a few months ago when I ran into her at a fashion show.

“Lizzie is quite a bit older than you.”

After blowing on my café, I reply, “True, but she set the standard and has always given me good business advice. It cannot hurt to have someone look it over now. No one has since I first signed.”

Maman’s eyebrows furrow. “I’m sure you won’t have that many changes as you don’t want to make waves. The attorneyPapaand I got for you before has retired. Do you want us to find you another one?”

I shake my head. “No, I can ask around here. Maybe Lizzie can give me her attorney’s name.”

Her eyes focus on something off-screen. “You are building your own life away from Paris. But I do hope you return someday.”

“Of course, I will. Paris is my home. You are there.”

Her palm presses to her chest. “I thought for a second.” She shakes her head. “Never mind. With all of your traveling, you are able to get out here, but it is never enough. And now that you are going to be a movie star, well, I am thrilled.”

Emitting a very unladylike sound at her last statement, I reply, “I would not say I am going to be a movie star,Maman.I only have a cameo.” I take my first sip of café and enjoy its bitter warmth as it slides down my throat.

She waves her hand. “Just do your best, and you will shine.” Her smile lights up my screen. I cannot let her down. I will continue to make her and my family proud. And how hard can it be to do my best, when I will be playing myself on-screen?

After our call ends, I take my mug into the salon and sit on the sofa. The contract from the Agency sits in a pile on the coffee table. Reaching over, I flip through the pages, but my eyes cross at all the dense type, in English no less. I would like to have a bit more control over my schedule going forward, so perhaps an attorney could help negotiate that for me. I pick up my cell phone and text Lizzie.

While I am on my phone, I hop over to one of my favorite places, Instagram, and scroll through my feed, smiling at the photos my followers posted with questions about their outfits. Of course, as the account is not under my real name, they do not know I am behind the advice. And I like it this way. I get busy responding to their style questions.

Reaching for my mug, I sip the now lukewarm brew. I cannot believe well over an hour has passed since I answered Maman’s call. The ding of a text brings my eyes to my cell, where Lizzie’s smiling face shows on the screen. After thanking her for her attorney’s name, I call and make an appointment for next Friday, the day before I fly out to Las Vegas for Rose’s bridal shower.

Thoughts of the shower remind me that I need to wrap Rose’s present. Grinning at the thought of Cole’s response to seeing her in the sexy black outfit from La Perla, I take the shopping bags with me into the dining room.Spreading out the gift, box. wrapping paper and assorted accessories on the round glass-top table that seats six, I make quick work of her gift. After considering it from various angles, the present looks better than I feared it might. The ribbons certainly hide a bevy of sins, namely bumps and bubbles. Oh well, it is what is inside that counts.

Pleased enough with my handiwork, I place the gift next to the card in my office and check the time. I have a while before I need to prepare for the club opening, so I turn on the flat-screen television hanging above the decorative fireplace in the salon. I cue up the English language video I have been watching to improve my proficiency and reduce my French accent.

The life of a model is always so glamourous.

Checkingthe mirror one last time, I add some sheer gloss to my red lips and step into my Jimmy Choo’s. Then, I fasten a gold open chain-link belt around my waist to complete my outfit. Vera Wang’s creations always fit me so well. Placing my gloss next to my cell in my clutch, I leave my bedroom and sit down in the salon to wait for the limo the Agency sent. My new bodyguard, Neil, will be in it.

One hour. That is all I am contracted to do. I will be back here in yoga pants in no time.

The doorbell chimes, and I stand, smooth down my dress and walk over to meet Neil. Taking a deep breath, I don my professional smile and open the door.

And it takes all the strength in my core to remain upright.

Looking back at me is not the face that I expected based on Neil’s headshot, but one belonging to a man who can set this night on fire.

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