Page 79 of Tell Me Something

Bart looked a little frustrated. “I can’t see the ensemble very well in either shot, so new plan. Will, I want you to sit on the edge of the bed, feet on the floor. Haylee, stand in front of him, and Will, put your hands on her hips.”

He moved over to us and placed us in the intimate position, with me turned slightly more than Will toward the camera. “Good,” he encouraged, taking a couple pics and then coming back.

I was stiff, but how could I help it? I was in lingerie in front of everyone who was looking on.

Will’s fingers tickled my side.

“Hey.” I giggled at his funny face.

“I thought it might relax you. Do you have plans for New Year’s Eve?”

“I’m not sure, but I don’t think so.”

“Well, let me know. I’ll be back the day before. We should do something.”

“A little less chatty, please. I need more sexy, smoldering looks,” Bart interjected.

I couldn’t help it; I giggled. Then Will laughed. When I looked at Bart, even he was now smiling.

“Okay, you two, I’m going to get above you. I want you both across the bed gazing at each other. I want tender and smoldering looks.”

Sure enough, there we were giggling at the fact that Bart was standing literally between us looking down. Finally, Will turned serious and caressed my face. He pressed his thumb on my bottom lip, causing me to catch my breath. Even if I was completely involved with Josh, Will was too good-looking and sweet for me to avoid some reaction. Damn.

“Good. I like those shots. Catherine, what do you think?” Bart asked her to come over and look while Will and I sat on the bed waiting.

“Holy intensity, you two. You sure you aren’t a couple?” Catherine joked.

Blushing, I glanced over to where Josh was now ignoring me, apparently completely engrossed in his phone.

“You looked amazing,” Gina confirmed, taking off all of the heavy eye makeup for the next shot.

Everyone was hanging out while Gina did my hair. She started chatting with Bart about her holiday plans. It was obvious the two of them had worked together a number of times over the years. Turning toward me, she asked, “Are you sure you’re set on traveling to California, Haylee? Because you’re welcome to come over to my house for dinner. I’m just over the river in Jersey.”

Oh, shit. She’d overheard me tell Will my fictitious plans. Now everyone seemed to be focused on me at once, including Josh.

“Uh, yes, I’m going out to LA to meet my old roommate, Angela.” I figured she would be the best excuse as no one knew her, and there wouldn’t be a lot of questions.

I was grateful for Bart’s interruption. “I’m almost ready. You can get her into the dress.”

“All set. Let’s go,” Gina announced, having sleeked my hair back into a fun ponytail.

I loved the Pucci dress. It was vibrant and cool and the perfect vacation dress. It paired great with the vintage pearl and diamond jewelry. My oversized sunglasses and beach bag completed the look. We posed in front of the green screen and clinked champagne glasses for the next few shots. Catherine had mentioned something about inserting a beach scene for the actual finished product.

“Show us the rings, Haylee,” Bart ordered.

We managed to go through a couple more poses, one of which had me on Will’s lap in a beach chair. Luckily, this shot was the simplest of them all, and we were done quickly.

Now for the crowning jewel. Gina pulled out all the stops for this one, arranging my hair into a bridal up-do, and Lucy came over with the pink diamond pendant necklace and matching earrings.

“God, it’s perfection, isn’t it?” Sasha proclaimed while she and Catherine looked at me in the jewels. It was the culmination of our three combined efforts, and we savored the moment. Sasha did the honors with champagne while Catherine handed me a box.

“I knew as soon as I saw these they were meant for this dress.”

I flipped open the lid and found the most breathtaking shoes I’d ever seen. “Oh, my God, Catherine. They’re beautiful.”

“Blush-colored Valentino lace pumps with bows,” she supplied.

We all sighed while I could hear Brian’s voice carry.