Chapter 7 #2
“You’re going to be a real model! This is what you deserve. This is what I’ve been talking about, Nina. You’re too beautiful and too fashionable just to be modeling online. You need the world to see you. You deserve for the world to see you.”
“Thank you.” I grinned. “But just so you know, what I do on social media can be seen by people all over the world. But I get what you’re trying to say. And this will take my platform to a whole other level.”
“So, what’s next? What do you have to do first? When do you start? Do you need anything?”
Her rapid-fire questions and giddy tone made my smile bigger. “So I guess I start tomorrow. Technically, I turn in the official paperwork on Monday, but I get to meet everyone at this event tomorrow.”
“I’m so happy for you, Nina! This is such a big deal!”
“Thank you! I have to make some calls, but I wanted to tell you and Dad first.”
“I’ll let your father know you have some news for him as soon as he gets a minute.”
“You can go ahead and tell him. I’ll call you both before the event tomorrow, and I’ll send you a picture of my completed look.”
“I can’t wait!” she squealed. “Nina! I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
We said our goodbyes and I was still buzzing from her energy. Her excitement and pride were palpable. My parents were always the boost of serotonin I needed.
I had several things to do and one of the first was to nail down my date.
I called The Romantic One as soon as I stopped at a red light. “Hi, Dru.”
“To what do I owe this surprise?” he replied.
“Are you busy?”
“I have two minutes before I’m about to walk into a meeting. Can I call you back in like an hour?”
“Yes, but can we reschedule tonight’s date?” I asked him quickly.
“Oh, uh…” I heard the papers stop rustling in his background. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, a work thing came up and I need tonight to prepare. Are you available tomorrow night instead?”
“I could be…” he stated slowly. “Yeah, yeah, I’m free.”
“I have an event that just came up and I think it would be fun to go with you. I want to go with you.”
I could hear him smiling as he said, “Send me the details. I’ll make it work.”
My mind already started running through outfits he’d look good in. “Sounds good, thank you.”
“No, thank you for inviting me to this… event. It’s cool that you’d want to go with—oh shit, I gotta go. Send me the details so I can come correct tomorrow.”
“Okay, thanks, Dru! Bye!”
Of the four men on my roster, Dru was the best candidate to take to The Player’s Ball.
Dru lived locally. He was willing to change his schedule to do what I wanted him to do.
He was full of romance and passion, so he’d dote on me and fawn over me like a good date should.
And with his handsome face and swimmer’s build, made for semiformal attire, he would make me look good.
All that energy and charm was exactly what I needed for my debut event with the company.
But he was also the biggest risk.
Dru seemed to be growing weary of being one of many.
He denied it when pressed, but he was starting to express deeper feelings than what we’d originally agreed upon.
Although I’d checked him on it, I could tell he was still fiending for something more.
And I just wasn’t interested in anything more with him.
He assured me he was good, but something told me he wasn’t.
But he was my only option.
James—The Funny One—was hilarious and kept me cracking up, but he was not fashionable at all.
He would’ve been the worst candidate for a fashion event.
He would’ve worked the crowd, and then they would’ve talked about me and him the moment we walked away.
If there was more time, I might’ve been able to style him.
But he was too far gone for a last-minute date.
Tyrell—The Smart One—had model good looks but I could see him being overwhelmed in a fashion environment.
He wasn’t socially awkward, but he would’ve found a corner somewhere to stand and observe.
He seemed most comfortable in the academic world and might’ve inadvertently dampened the fun party mood. He would’ve looked the part though.
And then there was The Fun One.
Russ—The Fun One—would’ve been the best choice.
But because he didn’t live locally, it was unrealistic to invite him to a last-minute event.
He was such a good time. It didn’t matter what we did, we always had a lot of fun and we just enjoyed each other.
He was fashionable and we looked good together, so that would be good for my brand.
He had a similar personality type, so he would be great in a social situation like that.
There was no denying it: Russ Long was my first choice.
But no matter how much fun I could imagine having with him both during and after the event, I knew he wasn’t a real option.
A time would’ve been had with that one, I thought as I pulled into my parking spot.
My phone dinged and my eyes lit up when I saw the name that flashed across the screen.
Speaking of the front-runner… I thought before picking up my phone.
Russ: I have some things lined up that’ll put me in Richland. Please tell me you’re free on Sunday so I can take you out.
A flashback to the last time we were together sent a ripple through my body. Our conversations between dates were great, but I always found myself anticipating our next meetup. Even if I wasn’t free, I would clear my schedule for him.
Nina: Depends on what you have in mind, me and my schedule can be wide open for you.
Amused, I got out of the car and made my way into my apartment. I’d barely gotten my shoes off when my phone rang. A smile stretched across my face as I answered.
“Nina…” Russ’s thick, deep tone sent a chill down my spine.
I loved the way he said my name.
“Hi, Russ,” I greeted him back.
“I’m going to be in Richland, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time than with you.”
“What do you have in mind?”
He let out a short, low rumble of a laugh. “Well, that depends on how much time you’re giving me.”
“How much time do you want?”
“All of it,” he answered flirtatiously.
My stomach flipped. “I think you like me a little bit,” I teased.
He just let out a light chuckle in response and then continued. “I would say I’d just scoop you on Saturday, but I don’t know when I’m going to be done with everything and I don’t want to keep you waiting.”
“Well, I appreciate that.”
“So, if you let me get you first thing Sunday morning, can I have you all day and night? I have a meeting Monday afternoon, so we have to be back first thing in the morning. But I’ll make it worth your while.”
I bit my lip as I made my way down my hallway. “If you have me back by nine, ten at the latest, I think I can accommodate your request.”
“Good. It’s been a hell of a week, and when I realized I needed to be in Richland, seeing you was the first thing that crossed my mind,” he admitted.
I smirked. “I’m glad to hear that. It has definitely been the kind of week that would warrant some fun with Russ.”
“I’m making the arrangements now.”
“I look forward to it.”
“I’m staying downtown, at the same hotel since you liked it. Anything specific you need to know, I’ll hit you up later with the details, okay? I have a couple of meetings this afternoon and then I need to pack for my flight tomorrow.”
“Okay, you go do what you need to do. I have a busy afternoon as well.”
“So it sounds like we’re both due to let out a little steam.”
“Yeah, it sounds like it.”
“Well, I got you.”
My lower body clenched. It wasn’t necessarily the words he said but the way he said them.
“Yes, you do,” I murmured instinctually.
I didn’t mean to say it, but his sexiness pulled it out of me.
“I like the sound of that,” he whispered. “You know what else I like the sound of…?”
“What’s that?”
“You coming for me.”
My panties were soaked.
“Russ, please. You’re not about to get me all hot and bothered and then not see me until Sunday,” I reprimanded him playfully.
He chuckled. “The minute my assistant said Richland, I thought of you and my dick got hard. So the feeling is mutual. Trust and believe.”
“Oh, I believe it. But if you aren’t here to do anything with that hard dick, I need you to stop teasing me.”
“You’re right. There will be plenty of time for teasing on Sunday.”
I giggled. “Goodbye, Russ.”
We ended the call and I almost let myself get caught up in what Russ could have in store for us. Just imagining it put a smile on my face and a flutter in my belly. There was something about him, about our time together, about the way he made me feel that was indescribable.
I like him.
The thought took me by surprise.
It wasn’t that it was untrue. I did like him. But unlike the other times, it felt different. It felt deeper—almost like the feeling was embedded in me.
That made me uncomfortable.
Immediately, I backtracked, explaining the thought away.
I’m just excited about the event and the job and the opportunity…
I had a few things in my closet that I could wear to The Player’s Ball, so I wasn’t worried about finding something.
I just needed to figure out how I could find an RL Fashions piece to work with something I already had.
Then I had to figure out what Dru was going to wear so I could send him his information. Then I needed to book my appointments.
“I have so much to do,” I mumbled aloud as I made my way into my closet.
But surprisingly, it didn’t take long.
I thought it would be easier to find something to go with the elegantly sexy black-and-white cocktail dress I’d gotten last year.
But I’d been dying to wear the showstopping red dress I’d yet to find a place worthy enough to debut.
The cups that held my breasts and the skirt of the dress were made of red layered mesh.
The space that covered my torso was red lace.
Even at my height, the length of the dress, in heels, brushed the floor, and it even had a slight train.
And like a hidden surprise, the split that stopped mid-thigh only exposed my leg when I stuck it out.
After having my outfit figured out, I felt like the rest of my list was light work.
I figured out what I wanted Dru to wear and called Charlotte to see if she had what I was looking for.
Because she did, I sent Dru the information I’d gotten from the email Sasha had sent me, and I told him to pick up his shirt from Charlotte’s Webb.
He called to confirm pickup and I checked him off the list.
I made all the appointments I could, but I wasn’t able to book a hair appointment at the last minute.
Instead of worrying about it, I spent the rest of the night trying out different styles.
It was time-consuming, but worth it when I came up with my final look.
I washed and deep conditioned my hair, twisted the thickly coiled strands, and sat under the dryer for an hour.
It wasn’t until after I climbed in bed that I checked my phone.
Russ: Everything is booked, and I’ll pick you up seven o’clock Sunday morning.
Nina: Seven o’clock in the morning!
Russ: I know it’s early, but we have to be on time. I promise you it’ll be worth it.
Nina: It always is with you. I’ll meet you at your hotel at seven. What do I need to wear or bring?
Russ: Wear sneakers and something comfortable. And as long as you pack some shoes you can dance in, I’ll take care of everything else.
A chill ran down my spine.
This is the energy I like, I thought as I wiggled my toes under the covers.