"It's great to be here, Lucky. I think I speak for everyone when I say that,"Paulsaid.
"I'm happy to have you guys. I hope you love playing my music as much asIdo."
A flashbulb popped and Ian grinned. "Just ignore me, love. Trust me when I say the more this camera goes off, the more you'll get used to it and the better my photoswillbe."
Lucky tried to forget the camera, but Ian was everywhere. She and the band continued to talk for a few minutes as Ian took candids. Eventually, they did forget he was around and ignored the flashes. When they appeared the most relaxed, Ian put his camera down and tested the bulbs at the plain white set hecreated.
He lined the band up with Lucky in the middle, turned towards the side with her foot facing forward, and Kat at one of the ends, then beganshooting.
"Ian, maybe we should do one with Kat more centered," Richardsuggested.
"Fuck off, Richard, I'm the artist here, not you. The camera loves Lucky, I'm not going to put Rock Star Barbie nexttoher."
"Hey!" Katcomplained.
"Who are you kidding, darling?" Ian said as he continued to take pictures of the band, repositioning them slightly every fewminutes.
Kat didn't reply and Lucky felt bad for her. She knew the reason Ian positioned her the way he did was to make her look thinner to the camera. Of course she was grateful he didn't say the words out loud. She was getting used to people picking on her size, she never realized that someone as perfect looking as Kat might get pickedon,too.
While Lucky was lost in thought, Ian stepped back and snapped a few more photos then stopped. "Lucky darling, I'd like to take some of just you. After all, this isn't the Lucky Saldano Band, it's just Lucky Saldano,"hesaid.
"Huh? Wha--justme?"
"Yes. Would you mindchanging?"
"Changing? I didn't bring any other clothes,"Luckysaid.
"Clear the set! Everyone go! I'm done with all of you. I need Lucky to be comfortable." He looked around the room as the band left and spotted Jordan texting in the corner. "You! Pixie Girl! My car is around back. Inside you'll find a shopping bag. Bringithere."
Jordan looked confused and shot Ian a nasty look but still went to the car like he asked. Lucky and Ian were seated talking quietly when Jordanreturned.
"I just don't like having my picture taken," Lucky said. "Do you realize the label wanted me to lose weight? Kat was hired because I'm not prettyenough."
Lucky couldn't believe she opened up to Ian this way. He was a complete stranger, yet something about him made her feel at easewithhim.
"Richard is an asshole," Ian said. "He only sees dollar signs. Yes, sex sells, Kat's appearance sells, but that's not what you're about. I can see that. You, love, are a rare girl." He grabbed the bag from Jordan and handed it to Lucky. "In here are some things I bought for this shoot. I guessed your size but I know it's right. If there's one thing I know, it's a woman's body. Put those on. I had your label send me your record before I agreed to do this shoot. As soon as I heard it, I got an image of what your album cover will look like. We're going to shootthatnow."
Lucky listened to what Ian said and didn't question it. The thought of her album cover hadn't even entered her head. She recorded it just weeks ago, but it still wasn't real to her until Ian mentioned it. She took the bag and headed into the bathroom andchanged.
Ian had selected a pair of white jeans with a peach belt and a white, midriff baring long-sleeved top. Lucky had on a peach and brown stone bracelet she pulled over the sleeve since the sleeves were so long. She felt uncomfortable showing her soft stomach and walked back to the set with her arms wrapped aroundherself.
"Perfect. Just relax," Ian said. "Pixie Girl, bring Lucky theguitar!"
Jordan grabbed an electric guitar that was in the corner next to her and handed it to Ian. He held the guitar upright and handed it to Lucky with the bottom resting on the ground and her holding onto the headstock. Next, he slid her hips to one side and went back to hiscamera.
"Perfect!" he said as he snapped a few shots, pulled his laptop over to him, and brought up the photo shoot on the screen. "Come here, Lucky. You too,Pixie."
Lucky held onto the guitar like a security blanket and brought it over to Ian and his laptop. As he began scrolling through the photos, she was speechless. In the white outfit, with the way he had her standing, he accentuated the curve of her waist and hips, making her look sexy and not big like she hadfeared.
"You look amazing, girl!" Jordan exclaimed. "And how good are those shots ofjustyou!"
"See, I was right. Listen to the pixie, Lucky,"Iansaid.
"Okay, they're great," Lucky said with a sigh. "I just have one complaint. I really don't want to have to look at myself every time I look at myalbum."
"Ahh. That's a first. Usually everyone wants to see themselves staring back,"Iansaid.
"It's not about me though, it's about the music," Lucky said. "That's what's important. This isn't some vanityproject."
"Yes, yes, the serious artist. I should know better, right?" He quickly cropped the photo, bringing her body closer and showing only the neck of the guitar but cutting it so everything from the shoulders up wasn't visible. "There. Guitar up front and center. What do youthink?"
"It's perfect Ian, absolutely perfect.Thankyou!"
