Page 4 of Take Hold of Me

Tucking my hair behind my ear, I say, “I know someone who would be perfect for the job. Wills Sumner. You remember, he was Cole Manchester’s bodyguard.” I check to make sure they are paying attention to me. “Although, I am uncertain whether he is still in the industry after—. Anyway, I will send you his information.” I pull out my phone.

Simultaneously with my pressing “forward,” Monsieur Price’s authoritative voice states, “Don’t worry about it, Beautiful. We have an agency that we use.”

Visions of Wills protecting me dissipate like theOh-Snap!lingerie contract. Sighing, I defer to the professionals. As always.

Stacy clears her throat, pulling my attention back to her. “I know we’ve been over this before, but let’s run through your upcoming calendar for Lloyd’s benefit. Plus, there have been a few changes, and I want to make sure you’re both up to speed.”

A shot of adrenaline zings though my body. “Oui.”

“As I mentioned, you have the club opening on Thursday. Then, Sunday you’re off to Rio for theSwimsuit Annualphotoshoot. The following week, you’re back here in LA filming the commercial for UC Cosmetics as an expansion of your role as their print spokesmodel.”

I hold her gaze. “I am so excited for that one. To prepare, I have been rehearsing the script every night.”

I also have been working on making my French accent less pronounced. But not too much. A while ago, Wills told me—with his American twang—“Don’t ever lose your accent, Ems. It’s sexy.”Maybe my sexy accent will be enough to convince him to get together with me? If he would ever answer his phone for me to test this strategy, that is. It is not like we ended things on a bad note. Truth is we never got started before work took me away. And then…

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Monsieur Price adds, “Great. You’re going to do really well. Once other TV ad execs get wind of your work ethic and talent, your career will probably veer in that direction. It’s a natural progression. We’ve transitioned many models this way.”

My ears prick. I tilt my head as the wordtransitionedplays on repeat. Stopping a frown from forming for fear of wrinkles, I ask, “I still will be doing runways and magazine shoots, correct?”

Stacy rubs her extended belly. “Of course you will. But it’s great to expand your horizons and move into new mediums.” She smiles like there is nothing to worry about and taps her pen on her notepad. “And here’s my big surprise. I snagged you a movie cameo.”

I run a shaky hand over my hair. This new information certainly lessens the stress oftransitioning. And Geonna. “I am going to be in a movie?Ooh la la.” I take a big swig of water.

She leans back in her chair. “Yes. Now, it’s a small role, and you’ll be playing yourself. That said, it’s like the commercial. You’ll still need to impress these people, of course. But when you do, others in the movie industry will want to work with you as well.”

“You said a cameo, right? I will not have too many lines to memorize then?”

She nods. “I haven’t seen the script yet, but I was told some of your lines will be in French.”

I exhale through my mouth and crack my first real smile of our meeting.I can do this.I will impress. “Oui.I can do French.”

Monsieur Price chuckles, a feral smile overtaking his face. “I think you might be able to pull that off, Beautiful.”

Stifling my urge to recoil, I turn my attention back to Stacy. She continues, “I haven’t nailed down a date for that one, but Lloyd will let you know. Other than that, you’ll be in Hawaii for a photoshoot forFashion Monthly Magazinelater in the month. You’re on the cover. Then you’ll be in England for London Fashion Week in September and in Spain for another shoot . Following that, there’s Venice ….”

As Stacy rattles off more bookings, my nerves settle. I readjust my posture and take another swallow of water. The Agency wants me to stay in demand as much as I do. How long was Lizzie on top? At least fifteen years. And she still snags gigs.

And now I am getting a bodyguard. An image of Wills pops into my head. When Stacy stops talking, I cannot keep myself from asking, “So, do you really think hiring a bodyguard is necessary?”

Monsieur Price’s lips curl upward. “Out here in LA, you’re a nobody until you have a guard following you. Then, you’re in demand twice as much.”

Nodding, Stacy adds, “Remember all the media attention you received when Cole Manchester’s PR firm created publicity dates for you two? You never were seen without his bodyguards.”

“Oui.” As if I ever could forget—that was when I met Wills.

Before my thoughts veer off-track again, Monsieur Price takes over the meeting. “Now, we all know you don’t have any threats against you. But by having a bodyguard, you’ll demonstrate to the industry how hot of a commodity you are. Illusion breeds reality. So, you better keep your calendar open for more movie premieres, award shows, charity events, those sorts of appearances. I plan on boosting your profile so high that companies won’t even remember another model’s name.”

Under the table, my right foot lifts and I pivot my heel back and forth. “This will work. I will do whatever you say to fight for my bookings.” Something new for me. This could be exciting—especially if I can get Wills involved. As Maman says, nothing worth having comes easy.

Tapping her pen on the table, Stacy says, “I know you will, Emilie. You always do, which is why I’ve loved working with you. And so does everyone in the modeling industry.”

I push my shoulders back. Her confidence that those five lost bookings were merely a blip reinforces my desire to up my game.

“Now, do you have anything for me?” Stacy asks, dropping her pen on her notepad.

I am about to shake my head when I remember the party. “Oui. I have the bridal shower for Rose Morgan—Cole’s fiancée—in Las Vegas a week from this Sunday. That is the only date I need to block out.”

“Mark that down,” Monsieur Price says to Stacy, who retrieves her pen and scribbles in her notepad. It is weird to see her taking orders from anyone as, usually, she is the one doling them out. And when she does, people listen. I guess I will have to get used to the new order.

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