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Fifteen minutes later, Griffin and I are done with hair and makeup. Nakita leads us back down the short hallway, past the sitting area where Kandi interviewed us, and toward another room on the opposite side of the space.
Kandi is there waiting for us with another woman. She has short, salt and pepper hair and dark freckles across her nose and cheeks. She looks familiar.
“Emma, Griffin,” Kandi motions toward the woman beside her, “this is world renowned photographer Shonda Picard.”
The name registers instantly. As Kandi mentioned, Shonda Picard is known worldwide in the photography industry. She’s the Anne Geddes of adult, intimate photography.
My stomach drops. My mind races with all the possible scenarios. I remind myselfThe Dressis a national magazine; we’re not going to be posing nude.
Nakita opens the door behind Kandi and Shonda. “Everything is ready.”
Kandi smiles warmly. “This is going to be a moment you’ll treasure forever. The photos of you two are going to be utterly breathtaking, I can feel it.” She clenches her fist in passion.
God, I hope she’s right.
Nakita motions us in the door. Kandi and Shonda follow.
Inside, the room is small. The walls are made of brick and there are three large ornate windows on the far wall letting in natural light. The window frames are black and rustic looking, likely preserved from the time this building was constructed. There, positioned below the middle window is a large claw foot bathtub with gold accents.
Nakita is busy hanging one of my dresses from a hook on the wall between two of the windows. It’s the dress from my collection that Griffin had said he liked the best.
Flanking the tub are two large photo lights on tripods.
I know what’s happening, but Griffin hasn’t caught on.
“What is this?” he asks.
“The photoshoot set,” I tell him, before swallowing thickly.
His brows furrow. “A bathtub?”
“Intimate photoshoots are Shonda’s specialty.”
I see the moment he gets it.
“That’s a thing?”
“A very popular thing, actually.”
“So, we have to get—”
“Naked,” I finish for him, my heart pounding against my ribs.
While Shonda prepares her camera and Kandi settles in near the digital playback monitor, Nakita ushers us toward a table on the side of the room.
“We have refreshments available.” She motions to the large assortment of food. My stomach twists with anxiety. There’s no way I’m eating anything right now.
“No thanks.” I shake my head.
“I’m good.” Griffin holds up a hand.
“It’s here if you change your mind.” She walks us over to a door on the left side of the room.
“Your wardrobe is in here.” She motions inside the room. It’s a tiny bathroom complete with water closet, walk-in shower and a vanity. On the vanity is a variety of skin tone underwear. “Emma, you’ll wear a thong and Griffin, there are briefs for you. Robes are hanging behind the door. I’ll let you two get changed while I draw the bath.”
She closes the door behind her and that’s when I start to lose it.
“Oh, my God.” My hands tent over my nose and mouth. “How are we going to do this?” I start pacing. “We can’t do this. There’s no way. We didn’t practice. We’ve never,” I motion between us, “you know, touched body parts. They’ll know. We can’t fake it, Griffin. They’llknow.” As panic starts to set in, I can feel my neck and face starting to heat. The mirror over the vanity reveals splotchy red spots on my neck. Luckily, my face is faring better with the makeup they put on. I fan myself, trying not to overheat.
