“Okay, so maybe the coffee isn’t a huge deal. But a student modeling for a professor? That’s sure to raise some eyebrows, if not break some rules.” I was careful to keep my voice low.
“I hadn’t really considered it.” His tone was so blasé.
I shook my head with a laugh.
“What?” He lifted a shoulder. “It’s a professional arrangement.”
“It’s just that most so-called ‘professionalarrangements’ don’t require nudity as part of the deal.”
“Most but not all. What will it take to convince you?” he asked. “Because I need your help, and I promise to be nothing but professional.”
I found that oddly disappointing, though I was intrigued.
“You said this would be for an exhibit?” Was I actually considering this? Had I lost my mind?
He nodded as people brushed past us to pick up their drinks. “I need twenty pieces.”
“How long do you have?” I stepped forward when the barista called my name, grabbing my latte from the counter. “Thanks for this,” I said, lifting the cup, “by the way.”
“Six weeks.”
“And how many are outstanding?” I sipped my chai latte, the spicy beverage filling me with warmth.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Ten.”
“Let me get this straight.” I turned to him, a hand on my hip. “You need ten pieces, finished pieces, in six weeks?”
“Mm-hmm.” He thanked the barista for his coffee, adding some sugar before replacing the lid.
My mind spun, and I felt dizzy on his behalf. That was nowhere near enough time to complete so many paintings. “Was this a last-minute thing?”
“No.” He twisted the sleeve on his to-go cup. “I’ve been…stuck.”
“No shit,” I blurted before clapping a hand over my mouth. “I’m sorry,” I said, though it came out garbled.
“No.” He laughed. “It’s true. But I think you could help me get unstuck. Just think about it, ’kay? But don’t take too long because…”
“The clock is ticking.”
“Yep.” He gave me a rueful grin as he removed his wallet from his back pocket. “Here’s my card. I really hope you’ll consider it.”
He turned and strode toward the exit, denying me the opportunity to shut him down once and for all. Nearly every woman in the coffee shop had stopped to stare, and a few men too. When he reached the door, I spotted Brie standing off to the side, watching us with wide eyes.
I slid his card into my back pocket and gave her a little wave as she walked over to me. “Hey.”
She glanced back at the door Xander had disappeared through and then back to me. “Was that—” Her brows furrowed. “Were you just talking to Alexander Kline?”
“Mm-hmm.” I took a drink of my coffee to avoid giving more of a response.
“Man, he is even hotter in person.”
I nodded, unable to disagree.
“So—” She nudged me with her elbow. “What did he want?”
“Grab your coffee, and then we’ll talk,” I said in an attempt to stall. I was still trying to process the fact that he wanted me to model for him. I wasn’t sure I was ready to tell anyone, even my best friend.
“Yeah, you bet we will,” she said with a knowing grin.
