Page 5 of Take Hold of Me

“Merci.” Come to think about it, though, I do not recall a single blocked date ever preventing Stacy from scheduling a gig. “I have to be at the shower. I am helping to plan it.” My chest puffs up—this is the first time I have ever been asked to be involved in, let alone help plan, such a party.

She points her pen to the bottom of her notepad, nodding her head once. “Got it right here.”

“Très bon.” I bring the bottle of water to my lips.

“There’s just one more thing we need to discuss.” Monsieur Price locks eyes with Stacy, who reaches under her notepad and passes me a stapled document. He continues, “It’s contract renewal time. Of course, Price Modeling Agency is thrilled to have you on our roster and we’re looking forward to representing you for many years to come. This renewal has the same terms as your prior contracts—no new clauses. I just need you to sign it in three places, where you see the sticky notes.”

I lean down to grab the handles of my oversized Burberry tote I was given after a recent shoot for the house. Placing it on my lap, I reach inside to search for a pen. But something stops me from signing immediately like I have always done with blind trust in the past, and I accept the paperwork with a smile. “When does this have to be signed?”

Monsieur Price’s eyes narrow and return to their normal size with such rapidity that I could have almost imagined his reaction. “Not until the end of next month. No rush.”

“I will have it signed before then. I just want to spend some time going over it. With a bottle of champagne,” I throw the last part in to absolve any perceived suspicions about my commitment to the Agency.

“Let me know if you have any questions,” he says, his smile tight.

“Sore thing.” I pause and mentally review the phrase. “I mean, sure thing.”

He chuckles at myfaux pasand they both stand. I place the document into my tote and take a final swallow from my water bottle. Empty, I toss it into a recycling bin. And miss. Walking over to the bottle on the floor, I pick it up and place it into the receptacle. It sits right under Lizzie’s photo.

Now that the Agency is righting my career, I have some unfinished business to tend to with a certain blond bodyguard. Who challenged me to go beneath the superficial.

Wills better be ready.

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