Tell Me Something (The "Something" Series Book 1) (20 page)

“I’m not sure yet. The Hastings, you know, my father’s former partner, invited me out to California. Nigel invited me to have dinner with him and David, and I have friends I can spend it with, too. A lot of options, but I’m not sure what I’m up for at this point.”

That appeared to ease his mind a little. “I don’t want you spending Christmas alone, Haylee. I’ll be home in Virginia, but I could come back if you needed me to.”

I fought the lump in my throat and the slight disappointment that he wasn’t inviting me with him.

“Thank you. I appreciate it, but I’ll be fine.”

The next few days went by quickly as, in complete awe, I experienced the holidays New York-style. I had spent a day just marveling at all of the window displays and Rockefeller center’s tree. It truly was magical. It was almost enough to take my mind off of the first Christmas I’d spend without any family.

I mailed off a package to my aunt and uncle and was pleased when the gift I’d bought for Josh, arrived in the mail. What did you get a guy who had everything? Something silly, I figured, not even knowing if he would reciprocate or when I’d get the opportunity to even give it to him. I’d hardly seen him this week as he had an engagement each evening pertaining to the holidays. Although I didn’t ask, I was pretty sure he knew it had been that time of month for me. It was unsettling that he’d know that, but considering this was the first mature relationship I’d been in, I guessed it was par for the course.

I woke up early the morning of the shoot and headed out to the location of the studio. I was greeted by Bart, who was busy setting up his equipment, in the small intimate setting. The space was made up of one room with a smaller dressing room off the side. This setup would mean that Bart would be close, but so would everyone watching too. Seeing Gina put me instantly at ease as she had been wonderful with hair and makeup in the Bahamas.

Will showed up and looked astounded to see me. “Haylee?”

“Catherine didn’t tell you I was your partner, I take it.”

He shook his head and hugged me tightly. “No, but she said that someone recommended me. How are you?”

We caught up, and I was delighted to hear he was leaving in the morning to go home to Australia for the holidays to spend them with his family. Gina came over, assessing my face and nails, obviously ready to get to work. When Will asked about my plans, I hesitated slightly but then proceeded to explain that I was going out to California to visit with a friend.

I watched Brian and Josh come in with Sasha. All of them had the same expression on their faces once they took a look at Will. Yeah, he was hot, and even though I didn’t seek to make Josh jealous, I could tell by his narrowed eyes that he wasn’t happy about my male counterpart.

Will chatted on with me until Bart came over to show us the photos from the Bahamas shoot.

I had mentioned the post-Thanksgiving modeling opportunity to Josh, but I hadn’t gotten into a lot of details, namely Will. Judging by the expression on his face he was none too happy to see the photos of the two of us from the Bahamas.

I realized I was being rude by not introducing Will to everyone. “Sorry, Will, this is Sasha Brooks, Brian Carpenter and Josh Singer. They are all with Gamble Advertising and represent Delayne Diamonds.” Will shook each of their hands and I felt the growing unease at the way Josh was looking at him.

Will didn’t help matters when he put his arm around me.

“So you two know one another?” Brian questioned, looking amused.

Will jumped in before I could form an answer. “Yeah, we met on the Atlantis shoot last month. We had a lot of fun that day and luckily we get to work together again, right Haylee girl?”

Nodding, I mentally cringed at his term of endearment for me and stole a look at Josh. His lips were now in a firm line. I was saved from any more awkwardness when Gina took my hand and led me to my chair to get started on my hair and makeup.

First up was the purple trapeze dress with my hair half up and half down and black platform shoes.

Sasha approached, introducing Lucy, with the rep from Delayne Diamonds, and a man who looked like he was a bodybuilder, evidently hired to ensure the safety of the jewelry.

Lucy draped me in the first set of diamonds after I had donned the dress and was ready for the shot. I was the girl standing against the wall at a party with a drink in my hand.

“Great Haylee, give me a touch of lonely and insecurity as you scan the room,” Bart instructed.

I scanned and swallowed hard when I saw Josh’s eyes on me. They didn’t give away a single thing.

A few more pictures and poses with Will coming in to meet me, and then I was swooped off to get ready for the next shot.

The date scene was a simple one with my cute floral print YSL dress. Will and I pretended to be at a small intimate coffee shop table and leaned into one another emulating the body language of a successful date. He made me laugh with his disaster story of a first date and before I knew it Bart called a wrap. Turned out just chatting with Will made it feel natural instead of like work.

Next up was the black Givenchy gown. The scene was a romantic dinner for two at a fancy restaurant. My hair was mostly up and I was positioned so that the slit in the dress exposed my left leg, where I wore a diamond anklet and black stilettos.

“Now that’s hot.” The voice had to be Brian’s.

My face heated. Nothing like posing with an entire peanut gallery of comments mere feet away.

The props people were still busy fussing with the table setup, so I opened the ring box to take a peek. “It’s absolutely gorgeous, isn’t it?” I said to no one in particular.

Will glimpsed at it and kind of shrugged.

Admiring rings must be more of a girl thing. Confirming that thought, Sasha and Catherine came over to take a look.

“I have to get a peep, too. God, it is even better in person. Exquisite,” Catherine said, and Sasha nodded.

Both Brian and Josh appeared uncomfortable when I glanced over.

Bart called for the scene to start, and we were back to work.

“Great body language, you two. Haylee, do you think you can give him a kiss? Make sure the ring is visible on the side of his face,” Bart requested.

It was no a hardship to kiss Will, but it was certainly awkward with Josh looking on.

Josh stepped away the moment the shot was over.

The final scene before we broke for lunch was the bridal shower. For this I wore the pink Jean Desses dress that I’d met Catherine in. It was perfect for a fancy bridal shower. Lucy came in and changed out the diamonds while Gina put my hair back in a twist, making the look subtle with nude lips and pastels.

“Okay, Haylee, make sure we see the ring. Play with the bow and look like you’re excited about what is in the box.”

I did a few more shots while sipping on a mimosa and others while holding up a lacy garment.

“Good, fantastic. That dress shows up well with that background,” Bart remarked. “All right, that’s a wrap on this one.”

By lunchtime I was grateful we only had three scenes remaining. The lingerie scene was the first up, so I took my water and my fruit and regretfully stayed away from the sandwich and chips.

“Man, Haylee, is that all you’re going to eat?” Brian asked.

“You would stick to fruit and water, too, if they were going to put you in underwear for the next shot,” Sasha quipped.

He took it good-naturedly and gave me a wink.

I kept the robe on as long as possible before the next shot, but I had to remove it partially when the ring of diamonds was placed around my neck, all thirty-two carats of them. This was the most expensive piece and would set off the ice-blue ensemble in the scene for which I hoped Josh would not show up. I was not in luck, as everyone was already standing around mere feet from the bed.

When Will took off his shirt and Gina gave him oil to set off his abs, I swear both Sasha and Catherine audibly gasped. I might have appreciated them myself if my secret boyfriend hadn’t been watching me watch Will.

“All right, Will, sit up against the headboard and Haylee, you’re going to lie across his lap on your side. Light the candles. Let’s do this,” Bart said, instructing everyone to take their places.

I swallowed hard at the intimate shot we were about to do and dropped the robe, refusing to look at anyone in the room aside from Will. The problem was that his appreciative look made me blush two shades anyhow. “Stop,” I whispered, embarrassed.

“Sorry, you’re absolutely stunning, Haylee girl,” he reassured me.

“Thanks,” I said shyly and awkwardly tried to position myself. I was sure the pose was going to look good for the photo, but looking good in print and looking natural in real life were often two different things.

“Lean up more, Haylee. Good. Someone get her a magazine,” Bart called.

I did a scene flipping through it.

“Let me see both the engagement and wedding rings.”

They would be hard to miss, I thought, wearing a four-carat solitaire and a band worth another two carats.

“Okay, you two. Will, stretch out on the bed, flex the abs. Yes, across the bed, and Haylee, I want you to be on your stomach facing me and up on your elbows reading the magazine. Good, but too much cleavage. Pull it up a little.”

Shit. I sat up and tugged at the corset, managing to catch Josh’s dark look before I got back into position.

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 on the same side 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 towards 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, and 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 looking 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 not to have some reaction. Damn.

“Good. I like those shots. Catherine, what do you think?” Bart questioned, having her 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 inquired.

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

“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 towards me she said, “Are you sure you are set on going 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 had overheard me tell Will my fictitious plans. Everyone seemed to focus on me at once including Josh.

“Uh, yes, I’m going out to LA to meet my old roommate, Angela.” I figured Angela 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. Lucy came over with the pink diamond pendant necklace and matching earrings.

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

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

I opened the box and found the most breathtaking shoes I’d ever seen. “Oh, my God, Catherine, they are beautiful.”

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

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

“What the hell are they all staring at?”

Josh answered in a mildly amused voice. “Shoes. Women and shoes.”