Page 37 of Take Hold of Me

Emilie

The soundsof the parking garage and nearby road noise fade away as I fold in on myself. I wrap my hands over my ears, willing Monsieur Price’s words to disappear.

“Caymans.”

“Broke her leg.”

“Leave tomorrow.”

“You need to stay relevant.”

All I can think about is Rose’s bridal shower, and how that celebration will now be added to my list of missed events. My regrets. The list could span from here to Paris. And the Agency knew about it.

I become aware of my surroundings when masculine hands touch my shoulders and upper back, wrapping around the back of my neck with the lightest of touches. Wills. Even he cannot make this any better.

“Shhh. Emilie, let me help you up.”

I do not want to stand. I shake my head, tears jumping off my cheeks.

“C’mon, Ems. We’re out in the open. Let’s get you into the Jeep.”

The Jeep. He gave me his keys. I am supposed to drive us home. My eyes are flooded—I cannot drive. Over sniffles, I say, “I do not want to drive.”

He chuckles and a tiny part of me unlocks. “No, I didn’t think you’d be up for LA traffic. Here, let me help you get upright, okay?”

Wills comes around in front of me, my eyes taking in his polished black lace-ups. He offers his hands toward me, palms upward, urging me to put mine in his. I can do this. I am not the first person on this earth who has had to miss an event due to work obligations. This certainly is not my first time. It was, however, the first time I had put my foot down and stood up for myself. But the Agency made it clear, yet again, who really is in charge of my life.

Reaching out, I place my hands in his, ugly green nail polish facing up, and stand.

“That’s good, Ems. Talk to me. What happened?”

His use of my nickname wraps around my heart. Closing my eyes, I replay my call, “Jaci—a model from Atlanta—broke her leg skydiving. I have been called in to be her substitute on a shoot in the Caymans.”

“I’ve heard the Caymans are beautiful.”

He brushes hair off my face, causing me to lift my eyes to his. His lips quirk upward, and my eyes zero in on the bit of stubble he missed shaving. That stubble felt delicious rubbing against my skin in the elevator. Was that only minutes ago? Perhaps after I tell him about the call he will better understand why I needed this meeting with my attorney.

“The islands are wonderful.” I force a smile. “I just do not want to be there tomorrow.”

His eyes wander off in the distance for a short time, then snap back at me. “Tomorrow?”

I nod. “Oui.”

“But you’re flying out to Las Vegas tomorrow.”

I rub my palm over my nose. “Not anymore.”

His fingers wipe the trail of tears off my cheeks. “Oh, Ems. Can’t you change the date?”

“No. This is how the cookie dough crumbles in my industry. I must take the photoshoot that my Agency scheduled. Otherwise, my reputation will go down the hill and I will be passed over for future jobs.”

He rubs his hands up and down my arms. “I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell them no?”

I scoff at his idea. “The Agency did not ask, they told me. This is how it works.” The corners of my mouth turn downward. “I have no control.”

Gentle hands cup my face. “When do you leave?”

“Sometime tomorrow afternoon.MonsieurPrice is sending me my flight details.” Shiny car keys attract my attention on the pavement, and I step away from Wills to retrieve them. “Here you go. Please take me home.”

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