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“Can I help you, Miss Vanders?”
“I’d like to know why the door was locked when the agency is supposed to be open.”
Nicole had stepped inside, but the model paid no attention to the chime.
“I apologize. I was concentrating on paperwork and didn’t realize it was past nine,” Chelsea said.
“In any case, Ashley,” Nicole said briskly, “Chelsea isn’t your employee, she’s mine. If you’re interested in leaving modeling and becoming an agent, that’s your decision, but first you need to serve out the contract I negotiated for you at the car dealership. Plus you should know we won’t be able to consider taking you on as a junior agent at Moonlight Ventures.”
Tory’s face turned flustered, though still belligerent. “No. I mean, I wasn’t saying that. I was just upset because she was here and the door was locked.”
“So that’s why you dropped by today, to find out if my office manager was doing things to your liking?”
The arrogance in the model’s face faded and she blushed. “No. I’m sorry, Nicole and, uh, Chelsea. I’m here because I need to talk.”
“Then come back to my office.”
After giving Chelsea the barest of winks, Nicole conducted Ashley down the hallway. Chelsea tried not to giggle. If only she could be so poised and quick-witted when someone was being difficult. But she was getting better at it.
Settling back in her chair, she returned to the form she’d been studying, certain she could begin taking care of this part of the paperwork for the agency right away.
The phone started ringing and she launched into the more challenging aspect of her job, dealing with people.
Much as she loved working for Moonlight Ventures, the people part took a lot of energy. She was looking forward to this weekend when she was going hiking with Barton.
A shiver of anticipation went through Chelsea. Doing something with Barton was another challenge because of the way he made her feel, but she was looking forward to it. He’d promised they wouldn’t do anything too strenuous—he just wanted to show her the Smith family’s favorite huckleberry picking sites.
Her lips curved. Things in Seattle were good, even if Ron had sent another package and called again. Surely he’d give up soon and she could focus on her new life.
* * *
NICOLE FORCED HERSELF to listen as Ashley complained about how the car dealership commercials were being made. Then she explained, again, that it was normal. Ashley needed to remember that the product being sold was the car, not the actress.
“But they want me to do the same thing over and over as if I hadn’t done it right and I know I did,” Ashley protested.
“Ashley, you’ve modeled before and know that repetition is to be expected.”
“Not like this.”
“Live action commercials often require even more repetition. The photographer and the director are the ones who get to decide if something is right, not the models or actors. Are they asking you to do anything dangerous or treating you inappropriately?”
“Uh, no.”
“So you need to do it as many times as they decide are necessary unless you want them to try and break the contract. Trust me, the last thing you want is a reputation for being difficult. It can kill a career.”
Ashley gulped and left, looking both alarmed and chastened. Nicole sighed. Dealing with her most annoying client wouldn’t have been her first choice to start the morning.
The night before had been pleasurable in the extreme, and it had gone on until after midnight. She would have preferred Jordan to leave at that point, but they’d fallen asleep before any discussion could take place. In the morning she had woken up and managed to dress and slip out without disturbing him.
Jordan’s life seemed so polished and planned. Maybe she should have made sure he saw her with mussed hair and creased skin from wrinkles on the pillow case. Instead, she’d simply left written instructions on how to leave the house without setting off the security system and then headed for the office.
She checked back with Chelsea and realized she must have come in early. Chelsea waved it off, pointing out that she’d left before closing on Monday to attend the ballgame. While they were still discussing paperwork, Nicole saw Jordan pull into the parking lot.
