Page 78 of Last First Date

“More than a hundred times,” I agreed. “That doesn’t mean I have all the answers. In my experience the most important thing is to be yourself in front of the camera. You can’t fake authenticity. And try to enjoy the process. Last night, you wowed the crowd because you were you. You enjoyed yourself and it showed. Do that again here.”

She nodded, taking in every word, and I couldn’t help but be struck by her earnestness.

“Also, remember that everyone here wants you to succeed,” I continued. “The director, the crew, me. We’re all on your side.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind,” she said, offering me a small smile that momentarily made me forget about the awkwardness between us.

I left her with the beauty team and went to check on the backdrops and lighting. My experience in the modeling world gave me an advantage. Maybe that was why the lingerie company hired us. They knew I could navigate formal events and things like a photoshoot.

With everything taken care of, I settled into one of the folding chairs to observe the shoot. As soon as Waverly stepped onto the set, a transformation happened. The shy, awkward woman who had been standing with the director not too long ago disappeared. What emerged was a confident, stunning woman who fully owned her beauty and sensuality. She moved with a grace that was captivating, turning simple movements into an elegant dance. Even her eyes sparkled with a new energy. This was the Waverly from last night, unencumbered and free.

The director clapped her hands gleefully as Waverly moved through the poses effortlessly. The camera loved her. It was obvious to everyone in the room. I could hear murmurs of agreement and admiration from the crew, the stylists, and even the other models. Her ease under the spotlight was remarkable. It was as if Waverly had been doing this her whole life.

For a moment, I let myself be entranced by her. The way she flicked her hair, bit her lip, smiled. Her every movement radiated an intoxicating confidence that was impossible to resist. I watched as she managed to bring a playful innocence to lingerie modeling, charming everyone with her authenticity and poise.

As the shoot progressed, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride swell in my chest for her. Despite our strange circumstances and the tension between us, I was genuinely happy for her. She was truly thriving in this unfamiliar environment, proving not just to those around her, but to herself as well, that she belonged here.

“Alright, let’s wrap it up!” the director announced after a while.

A cheer echoed through the room and people started to pack their stuff. After a minute, Waverly returned from the dressing room, now back in her casual clothes, but the sparkle in her eyes hadn’t dimmed.

“Great job today,” I told her. “You were fantastic.”

“Thanks,” she replied shyly.

I didn’t get much time with her before she was surrounded by people. Colleagues were congratulating Waverly just as she congratulated them. She stood nearby, chatting with some of the other models while I spoke with the director about the next events. I kept an eye on her like I was her security guard. She was new to this world, and I knew how easy it could be to get sucked into the darker side of the industry.

I decided to approach her, weaving through the crowd until I reached her side. She looked at me with a grateful smile. “Everything okay?” I asked.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“Have you eaten tonight?”

“No,” she said, laughing. “You are always watching what I eat.”

“Because I know you’re busy,” I said, shrugging. “I’ll get you a plate.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be right back,” I said, leaving her side once again to fetch her a plate of food.

As I filled her plate with small bites from the catering table, I found myself lost in my thoughts. The way Waverly had transformed in front of the camera was nothing short of mesmerizing. It was like witnessing a caterpillar morph into a butterfly, beautiful, graceful, and awe-inspiring. And knowing that I had played a part in that transformation left me feeling humbly satisfied. I liked being the guy taking care of her. I could honestly say I had never taken care of anyone in my life. It was a nice feeling.

When I returned to Waverly’s side, she was still surrounded by a group of models and minor celebrities who were all eagerly vying for her attention. I handed her a glass of punch and the plate of food. “Why don’t we take a minute?” I suggested.

She nodded and allowed me to steer her away from the crowd. We took a seat at one of the tables that had been set up away from the office party. “Thank you,” she said, glancing at the plate of food before meeting my gaze. There was a touch of warmth in her eyes that made my heart skip a beat.

“Don’t mention it,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just trying to take care of you.”

We sat there in companionable silence, watching as the party continued without us. The photographer was moving through the crowd, capturing candid moments. The director was holding court at another table, gesturing animatedly as she shared what I figured were tales from her varied experiences in the industry.

“Did you enjoy it?” I asked. “Modeling?”

Waverly studied her plate for a moment, as if the answer were hidden beneath her untouched food. Her eyes flicked back up to meet mine. “I did,” she replied. Her lips tugged into a genuine smile that reached her eyes and made them sparkle. “It’s different from anything I’ve ever done before. Challenging. Intimidating at times, but liberating. I’m not considering a career change, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“That’s great to hear,” I responded with an attempt at an easy smile which felt somewhat forced on my face. I didn’t want to lose her. If she accepted the many offers coming her way, I didn’t know how I was going to see her again. She’d be living in the Big Apple, and I would be in Utah. It would be like we were switching lives. That was not something I was interested in.

She turned her attention to the plate in front of her, picked up a small fork, and started eating.