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“That’s a given. I realize you’ve only been an agent for five or six months, but what part of the work do you enjoy the least?”
“Having to tell someone the agency isn’t interested in representing them,” Nicole said promptly.
“I wouldn’t like that, either.”
“Some are rather arrogant or wildly ambitious for themselves or their children, and saying ‘no’ can spark an argument from them, so that isn’t pleasant. But the ones I hate turning down the most are the shy hopefuls, the people who long to be recognized as pretty or handsome or talented.”
Jordan’s face seemed carefully devoid of expression and she didn’t know if it was because he was trying to be aloof, or if he’d taken exception to something she’d said.
“It must be hard knowing how to say no tactfully since you’ve never been on the receiving end of that sort of message.”
She chuckled. “Is that what you think? I’ve been turned down my share of times. I even showed up once for a commercial and the director told me flat out that even though the advertiser had requested me, I was completely wrong and could just go home.”
“I can’t imagine why he felt that way.”
“That sounds suspiciously close to a compliment.”
“I’m simply aware that your type seems universally popular.”
“My type?”
“Golden-haired, sexy and classically beautiful. I’m not saying that to be flattering. You know what you look like.”
Nicole sat back in her chair. She wasn’t flattered. Jordan was right about how she’d been marketed and it would be hypocritical to pretend otherwise.
“So what does that have to do with this interview?” she asked.
“I wonder what it’s like to shift out of a career where you were in demand for your beauty. You’re behind the camera now, in a sense. That’s a wholly different dynamic.”
He’d led up to that question quite neatly.
* * *
JORDAN WATCHED VARIOUS expressions flitting across Nicole’s face. Assumptions were tricky. Until a week ago, he might have assumed she was having trouble being out of the limelight. But that wouldn’t make sense. She wasn’t a fading beauty, desperately longing to stay the center of attention. She’d left the field while she was still stunning and demand for her image was high; leaving had been her choice.
After a few moments her head tilted to an angle he’d seen in a dozen advertisements. “In a way, it’s a relief. There is a sense of loss, though I think that’s natural when someone is adjusting to change. I’m still sorting it out.”
The answer seemed straightforward, if not overly informative.
“Can you tell me what led you to make such a big change?”
“I couldn’t be a model forever, could I?”
“Some have done it much longer. Look at Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs. They’ve redefined how the world looks at women past a certain age, along with actresses such as Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren.”
“I know, but doing it now means I have more time to explore new possibilities. Helping other people succeed appeals to me. I’ve been lucky to have people help me and hope to do the same for others. Seems like a great way to make a living.”
“So you want to do something noble?” he asked. He was trying to restrain his skepticism, not wanting to be influenced by years of sour comments from his mother.
The memory of his discussion with Nicole on Saturday returned with ironic force. She’d wanted to know whether he’d like revealing how his family experiences had affected him. He definitely wouldn’t. On the other hand, everyone was affected by their past. Surely it was a legitimate line of questioning. Or was it? She could be right claiming a man in her position wouldn’t be asked about parental influence.
“Becoming an agent isn’t about being noble,” Nicole said firmly. “I liked modeling and wanted a second career that would be equally interesting and mean something. This is what I chose.”
Jordan thought there was more she wasn’t saying, but he had plenty of time to get at the truth. If necessary, he’d just keep asking the same questions in different ways until he got the information.
