Vote Then Read: Volume I

by Carly Phillips

  When I set the dog down, it runs to its handler, leaving Claudia looking into my eyes. When I lower mine, she mimics and I offer her a hand. Her dress is long and she’s slow as she moves it with her and sits down in the passenger’s seat. I get in the car and pretend to start it.

  We’re told to look back and give a farewell. When we do, I see Reese on the phone behind Becs. I fulfill my role and Bryker finally yells, “That’s it. Last shot.” He hands his camera to his assistant and claps his hands together. “Thank you. It’s going to be a stunning campaign.”

  I face forward and exhale a long breath. Claudia stays next to me, staring ahead, lost in her thoughts. I reach over and take her hand. When she looks at me, I say, “You were good.”

  A smile not often seen tempts her mouth. “You were good. We were good. I think it will be very successful.”

  Nodding, I put my hands on the steering wheel. “Where do you head next?”

  “Nowhere.”

  “Home?”

  She laughs. “Where is that again? It’s been awhile.”

  Relating, I chuckle. She gets out of the car and shuts the door. “I’m glad I know you, Danny.”

  Scooting up on top of the door, my smile fades, her sentiment catching me off guard. “I’m glad I know you, too, Claudia.”

  This time she nods, and then picks up the skirt of the dress so it doesn’t drag and walks to Becs.

  Reese joins me car side, and says, “Vinnie is going to love these shots.”

  “I hope so.” I’m not sure what else to say. I’m aggravated because I’m not even sure what to do around her, or what I can do. I get out of the car and mumble, “I should return this suit.”

  “Don’t do this. Please.”

  The tremble in her voice hits deep, gutting me. “Reese, don’t make this harder than it is already.”

  Taking a step closer, she touches me cautiously on the arm. “You’re shutting down on me.”

  I am.

  “I’m not.”

  The sky blue in her eyes clouds over, and this time, she lets me walk away. The gravel crunches under my leather shoes, but the raging in my ears from the lie I just told overpowers it. Becs sees me coming.

  My devastation.

  My resolve.

  She’s quiet as she stands behind me and helps me remove the suit jacket. I loosen the tie, but it’s caught. After she hangs the jacket on the rack, she comes around and helps me. “I’ve got it.” As her nimble fingers slip it neatly through the knot and she pulls it from around my neck, she stops in front of me. “You can talk to me.”

  “I know.”

  “Trust me, you do not want me to sing “That’s What Friends Are For” to you. I’m a God-awful singer. Spare us both the trouble and talk to me, Danny.”

  My eyes burn, so I squeeze them shut. “I can’t.”

  “You should. You need to talk to someone and if you can’t talk to Reese, talk to me. I’ll help however I can.”

  Getting my emotions in check, my specialty after all the years I’ve modeled, I put on a smile—it might not be my million-dollar one, but it’s at least a 10K one—for her. “I’m paying the price for making a deal with the devil.”

  She knows me too well to let the charade of my expressions cover the words I’m saying. Like I hoped. Focusing on the real issue, she asks, “And who’s the devil?”

  “Klein Advertising.”

  “Ahh,” she says, seeming to understand. “So it’s true? You were served for breach of contract?”

  I unbutton my shirt and hand it to her. “I was served for letting her leave ten years ago. I’m just paying the price now.”

  “Are you? Are you going to pay the price?”

  “I want to. My legal team says no.”

  “Well, you’re the one who makes the final decision. How much is love worth to you?”

  “That’s not fair, Becs.”

  “You know what’s not fair? Turning your back on someone who loves you as much as she does.”

  I follow her gaze straight to Reese who is back on the phone and pacing behind the car. It’s clear she’s upset. Her hands are swinging around making her point to someone who can’t see them. Her head is down as she talks intently.

  “I’m not turning my back on her. I need to figure out the best way to handle this.”

  “Are you talking about the lawsuit or Reese Carmichael?”

  I strip down my pants, not even caring I’m not behind the screen. I need to get the fuck out of here. I warn, “Careful.”

  “No, I’m not going to be careful. We’re friends, remember? So I can tell you when you’re screwing up.” She snatches the pants from me and throws my jeans at me. “You’re screwing up, Danny.”

  Holding the jeans against my chest, I stare at her. “What has gotten into you?”

  Her irritation lessens and she says, “That woman is ready to give up her life for you. Can you say the same?”

  “I have to consider all the options.” The words come rushing out. “I picked her once and she left.” Shit. To throw her off my heart’s pain gushing out through the open wound, I think fast and let my wallet speak instead. “It’s a lot of fucking money.”

  “You picked her once?”

  Fuck. Of course, she sees. She is a woman. They don’t miss anything. I pull my jeans on and slip on my socks. “Yeah,” I mutter. “I was ready to give it all up for her. And she left me.”

  Becs is there, her hands rubbing my arm in consolation. “Oh, Danny. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to make things worse. I’m trying to make you see what you have. The second chance you’ve been given.” I look over at Reese. She’s hung up and talking to Bryker. When I turn back, Becs asks, “Money gives us security but it doesn’t keep the bed next to us warm.” She walks away, leaving me with flashes of holding Reese all night and how good that felt, how good she feels in my arms.

  The sheets are warm when we’re together. It occurs to me that it’s never been about hating cold sheets. It’s always been about the sheets being warmed by the right woman, by someone who turns my life upside down and then rights it again.

  I look back at Reese. She glances my way but looks away just as quickly. That woman. That woman right there.

  She’s my someone.

  Reese is my someone.

  I shove my sneakers on and grab Becs into a tight hug. “Thank you.”

  She says, “For what?”

  “For making me see it’s never been about the sheets.” I kiss her cheek and do a one-eighty.

  With purpose, I go to her, walking past Bryker and Claudia, and head straight for Reese, who’s separated herself from the group and is back on the phone. She sees me and turns her back. But I move around and bend down so I’m eye level with her. “Hang up the phone.”

  Her pretty little face scowls and places her hand over her ear. “I’m sorry. Can you repeat that? I’m getting interference.”

  “Hang up the phone, Reese.”

  She squints at me in warning and points at the phone, mouthing, “This is an important call.”

  I take the phone from her hands and tell whoever’s on the other end, “Reese will call you back.” I end the call and toss the phone into the grass nearby.

  “What the hell are you doi—”

  Grabbing her by the waist, my lips are on hers. Her shock relents and her body softens against me, her hands are on my back, pulling me closer. Her lips become insistent as she lifts up on her toes and wraps her arms around my neck. I pick her up and spin us around. Her feet go into the air behind her as she holds on as tight as she can. When I set her down, we pull back, both breathless.

  I’m met with a smile made of pure sunshine, filled with beauty. “I don’t care about the money. I only care about you.”

  “I care about you, too. So much.”

  Reaching up again, the relief I see in her eyes assures me I’ve done the right thing. The hurt I saw earlier broke me. But this? This beautiful, happy woman in my arms? This is right
. This is what I am fighting for. And fight I will.

  She plants her lips on mine and I know I’m home.

  This time when we part, I share my whole heart. “I want you to be a part of my life. A big part. I want you to warm the bed with me. I want you to be my someone. I want you to be mine.”

  “I’m all yours.”

  This time my smile grows and I grab her into a tight embrace. “I love you, Reese,” I say as if I can’t keep my feelings bottled up any longer.

  As if the sun couldn’t shine any brighter, her smile blooms. “I love you, Danny Weston.”

  33

  REESE

  Sitting at a table in the back of a bistro next to the hotel, I can’t take my eyes off him—my handsome “someone.” Danny and I are on our second bottle of a recommended French red when we hear, “There they are.”

  When we look toward the entrance there’s a spectacular commotion of purple. “Vinnie,” I say, standing up and running into his arms. “You’re here.”

  “I am,” he says, whispering in my ear. “How are you, Candy girl?”

  I take his hand and look him in the eyes. “Ridiculously happy.”

  “Happy looks great on you.” We walk back to the table. Danny stands, and Vinnie asks, “How’s our favorite model?”

  Danny reaches out to shake hands but Vinnie makes a face and they hug. Danny rolls his eyes as Vinnie embraces him around the middle, but he laughs. “It’s good to see you too.” When Danny tries to break the embrace, Vinnie remains latched on. “Okay. Okay. Back it up there.”

  We laugh together. It’s light and carefree, feeling so good. After we sit, Danny asks, “What brings you to Paris?”

  “I came to check on my favorite dynamic duo.” He picks up my wine and drinks half before speaking. “I also wanted to check on my store here and to see how the shoot went. It’s good to check on an investment.” Looking at me, he asks, “How did it go?”

  “Better than we could envision.”

  “I received some preview shots. They are better than we planned. I’m thinking Vogue and Elle for the New York and Paris shots. GQ for the Marfa photos. Thoughts?”

  “I think they’re perfect for those magazines. I was also thinking a collage that moves for the commercial. Bryker said he took enough to make that happen.”

  “Interesting. I’d like to see that.” He turns to Danny. “How do you feel it went?”

  “The locations were amazing. The clothes were incredible. I loved being a part of it.”

  He takes a sliver of Brie from the tray in front of us, and as he wiggles it back and forth, he says, “Let’s be frank here. I heard about the breach of contract. I’m here. How can I help?”

  Danny says, “I don’t think there’s anything you can do. Thank you though.”

  “What are you going to do?” He pops the Brie in his mouth.

  “I’m going to pay. I’m not willing to sit in a court of law under oath and lie about how I feel about Reese.”

  Vinnie’s smile is contagious. He takes my hand and kisses it. “I love a good romance and yours is one of my favorites. I saw that connection the first time you guys met. But I guess that was because it wasn’t a first meeting but a reunion. So romantic.”

  “I couldn’t have made a better match for my Candy than you, Model Danny.”

  Danny chuckles. “I’m glad you approve, Designer Vittori.”

  Vinnie stands and claps his hands together again. “We must celebrate. Why don’t we go get you two hitched?” His eyes are wide with expectation and hope.

  “What?” I take the word out of Danny’s mouth.

  Vinnie nods. “So that’s a yes?”

  “No,” we reply in unison.

  Standing up, I say, “Slow your horses. We just got back together. I think we’re enjoying right where we are.”

  Danny adds, “For now,” and drops money on the table.

  I’m drawn to him when he stands, surprised by his response. His hand warms my lower back, and he shrugs. “I’m not opposed to marriage. I never was.”

  I lean against him. “You just made my heart flutter.”

  Vinnie says, “You both just made my heart flutter. We should celebrate your togetherness with a wedding.”

  My evil eye works and Vinnie backs off. “Fine. Can’t blame me for trying. Think how romantic that would be. Just the three of us and a candlelit service.”

  Danny ushers me forward. “Come on. I know a great bar around the corner.” His phone rings and he stops, his hand disappearing from my back.

  I turn back when I realize he’s stopped. “Vinnie. Wait for Danny.”

  Danny turns his back to us and plugs the opposite ear of the one with the phone pressed to it. I overhear him ask, “Where are you? What room? I’ll be right there.” He hangs the phone up and comes toward us with purpose. “We need to get back to the hotel.”

  “What is it?”

  “Claudia.” As soon as we’re on the sidewalk, he takes off running to the hotel next door.

  Vinnie and I run after him. He’s disappeared up the stairs, and we rush to the elevator. I’ll never be able to run those stairs in the heels I’m wearing. “I know her room number.”

  The door is open when we reach her room, the large latch from the inside, swung out. I push it open slowly and walk in. I find Danny on the bathroom floor holding Claudia. Her head is tucked against his chest and her mascara has run down her face from crying. Her hair is a mess, and when I look around, several prescription bottles are in the sink. I try to stifle my gasp, but I don’t think it works. Danny looks up and shakes his head just enough for me to get the message. I back out of the bathroom, tugging Vinnie’s sleeve as I go.

  In her room, we sit on the side of the bed. He whispers, “She’s alive and they’re talking. That’s a good sign.”

  Nodding, I watch the bathroom door for any sign of them coming out. Danny’s deep voice carries even when he’s trying to be quiet. “You’re going to be okay. I’m here for you.”

  My memories drag me back to the time he was leaving me for a job, back when we were together years ago…

  The tears keep coming and my body is racked with sobs. I can’t do it. I can’t watch him walk out that door again. I was going to marry someone who wanted to study maps, travel during work hours, not gone weeks at a time. Danny’s degree came with those guarantees. Modeling came with none. “I don’t want to be alone anymore, Danny. Please stay.”

  “I’ve taken the job. I can’t back out on them at the last minute. It’s one week. I’ll be back before you notice I’m gone.”

  He’s convinced himself that this is normal. Maybe this is our new normal. I hate change. I hate him being gone even more. “You’re not even using the degree you just spent four years earning.”

  Rolling onto his back, he drapes his arm over his eyes. “Please don’t do this. I can’t back out now.”

  “I’m sorry if my emotions inconvenience you,” I snap.

  Turning to face me again, he says, “I love every one of your emotions. Even the ones currently angry at me. I understand. I miss you too, but I want to earn money for us, for our future.”

  “You’ve been home three days in the last two months. This doesn’t feel like a relationship. This feels like an affair. An affair you’re having on your job.”

  “Reese, it will be okay. You’ll be okay. We’ll be okay.”

  He leans in and kisses my shoulder. “We are going to be okay. Let’s just get through this. I’m sure it’s just the busy season for modeling or something. This won’t be my life. You’re my life.”

  “Promise me. One week and then you’re home for at least a week.”

  A gentle smile that wins me over every time it appears. “I promise you.”

  …He broke that promise. And in the end, for what? Money he earned that he’s going to have to give away now if we want to be together? The only life he’s known, he’s willing to sacrifice for me. My eyes tear up.

  Vinnie bri
ngs me in for a side hug. “Don’t cry. She sounds like she’s going to be fine.”

  “It’s just that man. He’s too much. Too good.”

  “You’re good. That’s why you two work.”

  “Thank you.” I rest my head on his shoulder.

  In the quiet room, I hear Claudia say, “He broke up with me so he could date a girl who works at Hot Topic.”

  “He doesn’t deserve you. He’s just cleared the way so you can find the man you’re meant to be with.”

  She laughs and that’s a great sign. “Let’s hope. I have terrible luck with men.”

  “Those bad boys will wreck your heart every time.”

  “Sucks because I always liked Hot Topic. Now where am I going to get my Funko Pops?”

  They laugh, their tones much lighter. I hear shuffling coming from the bathroom, and Danny say, “Let’s get you something to eat. I think you need something more than water-based foods tonight.”

  “Me too. I might take your girlfriend up on that burger.”

  Danny says, “I think she’d like that.”

  I laugh under my breath, and stand up.

  Just as they walk out, Danny takes her and hugs her. I hear him whisper, “You’re not just beautiful on the outside. You’re beautiful on the inside too. Don’t let some jerk ever dull that beauty again. Or I’m going to kick his ass and I fucking hate getting in fights.” When they part, he winks at her, and adds, “Takes me out of the game if I mess up this pretty face of mine.”

  Claudia pushes him in the chest. “You’re ridiculous.”

  “You’re not the first to tell me that but it’s usually followed by –ly handsome. I’ll settle for the shortened version though.”

  When Claudia is done rolling her eyes, she turns to me, and teasingly asks, “How do you put up with him?”

  “He’s the easy part. It’s his ego that is impossible.” After sharing a laugh as a group, I see her tears are dried and a smile lingers on her face. I hug her and she hugs me. I’m thankful she had someone to call who she trusted. She’s not a threat. She’s Danny’s friend, and that makes her mine.