Chapter 33
Lauren
Time waits for no one.
And it seems as though the last couple of days have blown by like a hurricane. It’s the day of my cover photo shoot. It’s also the day I learn if all of what we have been preparing for just gets tossedaway.
I could just call thisdoomsday.
Antonio Michaels has not confirmed if he will be going through with theALLMecampaign or not. And today is the daythatshoot is scheduled, as well. I’ve even asked Daniella if she knows and she swears he’s been real hush-hush aboutit.
You should have just asked Jaxson to do it, I keep tellingmyself.
But I didn’t want to ask for his help. Asking for help is something I don’t do very well—and it will probably cost me my dreammagazine.
I should have just stuck with simple fashion design. That would have beensafer.
Plus it doesn’t help that I have fallen in love with the one man who will ultimately make or break this deal forme.
Jaxson Malone. A man who I literally bumped into just a little over two months ago. A man who took my breath away then, and takes my breath awaynow.
The real and true-life man of mydreams.
“We’ll need the files for the magazine no later than Tuesday so we can prepare and format for publication,” blares Daphne Richards ofLa Boutiquevia a conferencecall.
André and Daniella silently grimace while I feel likebarfing.
“Of course. We will get those files to you no later than Tuesday of next week,” I say, trying hard to conceal the tension in myvoice.
“Wonderful. Also, we have decided that the first issue will also include a print edition.” Daphnesays.
“Okay...will the digital version still be available forfree?”
I hear Daphne clear her throat. “Yes, we just feel the first issue will bring in a ton of revenue. Besides all of theHaute Couturestuff, there are quite a few of us here who are also dying to have a physical copy of the magazine along with the spread forALLMe.” Shegiggles.
“Oh believe me, we too are dying to see it,” I say, sarcasmunhidden.
“Right, well, you have a lovely day and we’ll talk soon, mydear.”
Anxiety builds as I sit,waiting for some type of call, email, text…lightning—anything to let me know there has been a decisionmade.
“Hold still,MadameBlake,s’il vous plaît, you’ll mess up your makeup,” says Ralph, theHaute Couturemakeupartist.
How can I be still, when I am too worried? Now, I wonder if I just opened up to Jaxson, even revealed what was at stake, would he have just said yes to thejob?
Ugh, the agony issickening.
“You all ready for your shoot, boss? They are all set and waiting. Daniella will be in there withyou.”
“Uh, sure, André, I’ll be right there. Ralph is just applying the finishing touches to my hair andmakeup.”
“As long as you remain still,Madame,” Ralphclarifies.
“Okay, okay. I won’t move. Has anyone told you you’re quitebossy?”
His perfectly shaped brows rise and he says, “Oui, oui, my wife tells me that is what she likes most aboutme.”
I roll my eyes, but can’t stifle mygiggle.
