Page 70 of Tell Me Something

“Don’t you Haylee me. It’s a reasonable question, considering she doesn’t like to hear no for an answer. Your words, Josh.”

“This is exactly why I didn’t want to argue about this here and now. I need to get back to work, and Nigel is returning any moment. I don’t need the aggravation of this here in the office.”

Checking my temper, I went out to my desk, first putting my torn underwear in my purse. I then walked back in and, to his shock, wiped the desk with my Clorox wipe.

“If you didn’t want to do this here, then you shouldn’t have done me there.” And with that, I turned and went back to my desk.

As I shut his door, I heard his chuckle. Asshole. I smiled in spite of my irritation. After I settled in, I called Catherine to set up lunch during the next week and thank her for the amazing gift.

NIGEL INSISTED that I join him and his partner for Thanksgiving. Truth be told, I was excited finally to meet David after hearing so much about him. I was also anxious to wear my new designer jeans, which made my butt look incredible, if I did say so myself. Catherine was certainly right about the silk underwear, too, as I felt like a million bucks.

I kind of wished Josh was in town so that I could show him how sexy I felt, but I think he’d been relieved to hear that I was celebrating Thanksgiving with Nigel. He’d flown to Virginia to spend the long weekend with his mom and brother.

The subway was easy enough to take into Brooklyn, where I was instantly charmed by Nigel and David’s brownstone. David was adorable with his bow tie and big brown eyes. For a man who had lost his hair to chemo, he was rocking it like a nerdy Jason Statham. He took me for a tour, showing me all three floors and their latest remodel project in the basement. I learned that gardening was his true passion as he led me out to the back yard, leaning on me for strength, a measure for which I told him to stop apologizing.

Nigel was an incredible cook laying out a feast with a full turkey and all of the traditional side dishes. Listening to them talk over dinner and witnessing the affection between them, I could see how they complemented each other.

While helping Nigel clear the table, I heard my phone ringing. I looked at the unknown number, wondering if Josh was calling me.

“Hello.”

“Haylee, it’s Bart Chesley. I hope I’m not interrupting your Thanksgiving evening?”

“No. Actually, I’m about to head back to my apartment. Everything okay?” I could hear something in his voice, anxiety maybe.

“Yes, well, unfortunately we have a model who got shingles. The shoot is tomorrow morning, down in the Bahamas. I don’t suppose you could come down?”

I jumped on the opportunity since I had nothing else planned for the long weekend. “I’d love to.”

He gave me all of the details, and I got booked on the first flight down there the next day.

MY MORNING WAS hectic once I arrived at the resort in the Bahamas. Bart introduced me to Gina, who was hair and makeup for the day. Soon the two of us were off and running, taking care of all the prep work.

The first shoot was in a bikini, and I was thankful it was a tasteful, black one this time. The idea was to look like the girl next door, down here on vacation. I could definitely do this role much better than filling in for a supermodel.

Then I got a good look at my significant other for the shoot. Uh, yeah, he was not relatable; he was gorgeous. Well over six feet tall, clean-cut with close-cropped dark brown hair, he already had his shirt off, displaying impressive washboard abs.

“Hi ya, you must be Haylee. I’m Will.”

Oh, boy, he had an Australian accent.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you, Will.”

His eyes were blue, his smile revealed perfect white teeth, and I was suddenly a bit more insecure about this model shoot. Guys like him belonged on billboards. Girls like me were pretty but definitely not exceptional.

“You’re from New York, yeah?”

“Yes, well, originally from California, but I’m in New York now. You?”

“I’m in New York, too.”

And with that, the staging crew was ready for us to take our places. As we got into the shoot, I realized that it was a lot easier for me to do action-type activities in front of the camera rather than merely posing, which is what I’d had to do in the other shoot. In-the-moment shots were more natural. It also helped to have Will. As it turned out, he wasn’t simply easy on the eyes but was funny and easy to feel comfortable around.

“I’m so glad I got you as my partner on this job,” he confessed in between scenes.

I checked my phone for the umpteenth time, having not heard from Josh yet. “I’m really glad I got you, too,” I said sincerely.

“Boyfriend?” he inquired, watching me with my phone.