The prep part was a little freaky.
I’ve never had my hair blow-dried, I don’t put gunk in it either, and I’ve never worn makeup before. When I look in the mirror, I barely recognize myself. I even got a manicure and a pedicure. You’ll never see that happen back home.
“Rhett, you have the perfect body,” Basil says before moving his attention away. “Janice, more oil.” He snaps his fingers.
A short brunette comes running with a squirt bottle and sprays oil all over my body before rubbing it in.
Geezus, I feel like a turkey on Thanksgiving.
“Enough!” One word from Basil, and the oiling stops.
Janice offers a bow before rushing off.
“As I was saying, your body is a work of art.” Basil’s steel blue eyes meet mine. “Not sure why you feel awkward?”
Let’s see.“I’m the only one who’s shirtless and flashing his white boxer briefs?—”
“Abs sell, Basil says. “A six pack even more. So does a peek of the underwear.”
Peek? That’s all I’m wearing for God’s sake.
“They aredesigner, you know.”
“Right.” I nod.
Because that makes all the difference.
“And top sellers worldwide,” Basil says. “The designer can’t produce them fast enough.”
They’re nothing more than overpriced tighty whities.
I thought I was going to wear my regular clothing, but nicer since Molly said they had the wardrobe part covered. My wardrobe consists of ripped low-riding jeans and white designer boxer briefs. The jeans are for later.
“I don’t have abs.” Basil isn’t done talking. “Not even when I was twenty. And God knows now at fifty-nine, there’s not a hope in hell for me. I’m stuck with my jolly belly.”
The crew snickers.
“And may I point out, no one in this room is as chiseled as you are,” he says, looking around. “So, for today, you’re our poster boy.” He accentuates his words with a theatrical hand gesture.
The room claps and cheers.
I can’t remember the last time I blushed so hard.
Here goes nothing.“Let’s do this.”
Basil swings his gaze away from me. “Kendra, does the NYT need a video before the first shoot?”
“We do,” she says.
“Let’s get it out of the way,” Basil says.
She nods. “Rhett, I want to record a quick LIVE video for the fans,” she says, approaching me.
“Fans?”
“Molly must’ve told you there’s a lot of excitement about this photo shoot?”
“Yes, she talked about the growing excitement, but fans? Already?”
