by Dayo Benson
“So what did you do in Australia, and what is the family business?”
Dan shook his head. “No, today is about you. We’ll talk about me some other time. How long have you been a model?”
“Since I was thirteen.”
“How did you get started?”
“I tried it one summer because my mom’s friend said it would help build my confidence,” I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, I loved it, so I carried on.”
“Why weren’t you confident?”
“Do you care?”
“Yes.”
“No, you don’t. Anyway, I’ve had quite a few pretty good bookings, but nothing this big since I moved back to LA. I only recently decided that I was going to really go for it as a career, so I’m just really excited. I can’t believe it.” I realized I was babbling.
Dan was smiling like he couldn’t believe he’d succeeded in getting me to talk. “I love Roz Petroz lingerie.”
“Of course, you do.”
“So does your agency pay for flights and hotels?”
“Yes, but only up to a certain amount. They claim it all back though.”
“Are you going to come back loaded?”
I shrugged. “I’m sure my agent will negotiate a good rate. But I just hope it goes well. I need to be doing more editorial work if I want to really break into the industry though.”
“What’s stopping you from doing that?”
“This is like an interview.” I looked at the menu. What was stopping me from doing editorial work? I hadn’t really thought about it, and I should have. “Maybe my living in LA is one thing that’s stopping me because most of the magazines are based in New York.” I turned a page in the menu and scanned the options. “Also, I guess I need to get out there more and get as much exposure from runway shows as I can because I haven’t really had many jobs this year.” Plus, I was short for a model.
Dan gave me a slow smile and then lifted his glass. “A toast to a successful modeling career.”
“I’ll toast to that.” I clinked glasses with him.
“A toast to Lexi Dixon taking over from Shola Cardoso as queen of the catwalk.”
I laughed and lifted my glass again. Obviously, he’d noticed the big poster in my room.
“She’s gorgeous, but for what my opinion is worth, I think you’ve definitely got what it takes to give her some competition.”
“You haven’t even seen any of my pictures.”
“I know, but I’m sure they’re great.” Dan touched my cheek. “To be honest, I think she’s hot, but so are you.”
A waiter approached and then dropped back. I looked up and beckoned to him to come over. We must have looked like we were having some kind of romantic moment.
“What can I get you?” the waiter asked.
Dan shut his menu. “I’ll have whatever she’s having.”
Chapter 41
A loud bang jolted me out of my sleep on Saturday morning. I opened my eyes and blinked away images of Jace Washington. I groaned and turned over. I hadn’t seen the guy for months. You’d think I would have stopped dreaming about him after so long.
There was another bang and I jumped up. Whoever was banging my door like that needed to be referred to some kind of clinic. I hated living on campus. My roomies were so loud and annoying. This wasn’t the first time they’d done the whole ‘bang on Lexi’s door and run’ thing. How pathetic!
I would have packed up and gone home, but I needed to be away from my mom to work on my modeling career. I didn’t need her restricting what I could and couldn’t do. I needed the freedom to make my own decisions. If I needed to fly out to Spain, for example, during semester my mom would probably say ‘what about college.’ She definitely wouldn’t let me jet off to New York to pose in lingerie. I didn’t need her questions and restrictions.
There was a knock on my door. A civilized knock this time, not a bang. It took me literally just one stride to cross the room; it was so small. I realized that I had slept in my corset dress. No wonder my sleep had been fretful. I opened the door and squinted at Carl. “Hey.”
Carl held up a paper bag and a Starbucks coffee. “I’m on my way to soccer, and I just thought I’d bring you breakfast. I know it’s lunchtime, but I also knew there was no way you’d be awake.”
I grabbed the paper bag and looked inside: two bagels and a banana. “Thanks.” I turned and went back to sit on my bed. The cheese bagel came out first.
“What’s with the dress?” Carl entered the room and shut the door behind him. He set the coffee on my table.
“I was trying on some clothes,” I mumbled. I stared at the cheese bagel guiltily. If Carl got any inkling that I’d been out with another guy in this dress, he might find it hard to believe that nothing was going on.
“Well, it’s nice.”
“Thanks.”
“I hate this room,” he grumbled as he always did when he came to see me. “How do you survive in this hole?”
“Carl, I’m not moving into your room.” That’s what his complaints were really about, and I wasn’t going to give in. He’d been trying to get me to move in with him since we got back together two weeks ago, but I didn’t think our relationship was at that level yet. And the fact that he lived in one of the best apartment blocks on campus was no enticement to me at all. Besides, my mom, Aunt Milly, and my grandmother would probably go into cardiac arrest if they found out. “Anyway, guess what? I’m going to New York,” I said as if he didn’t already know.
Carl feigned surprise. “Why?”
“Roz Petroz booked me for their lookbook.”
Carl knew what a lookbook was; I’d educated him well. “Hopefully, they’ll love you and book you for some runway shows. And I’ll come and sit on the front row and cheer while you walk past in a lacy thong.”
I bit into my bagel. “You really do have a one track mind.”
There was a knock on the door, and Carl went to open it. Dan stepped into my room wearing nothing but Ralph Lauren boxers. “Hey, Lexi,” he said, totally ignoring Carl. “Just wanted to ask if you want to join me for breakfast.”
“What’s on the menu? Stir fry?”
Dan winked. “If you want it to be.”
“Well, you’re about two and a half minutes too late. Carl already brought me breakfast.”
“Are you sure you don’t want pancakes with maple syrup, or honey?” Dan pressed. He licked his lips. “Or chocolate, or vanilla sauce? Are you sure I can’t tempt you?”
I couldn’t believe he was doing this in front of Carl. But darn it, it sounded good. “I’ll have maple syrup, and can you bring it in here for me?”
“No, it’s a package deal. You get breakfast with me, not just breakfast.”
I gave Carl a quick look. He was looking at me like ‘who is this loser?’
“I’ll pass,” I told Dan. “But thanks for the offer.”
“Why?”
I waved my bagel. “I already have breakfast.”
“You’re just scared to be alone with me.”
“Get out, Dan.”
Carl’s phone broke in with a loud gangster rap song. “I’m on my way,” he answered. He looked at Dan and then at me. “Gotta go, Lexi.”
I gave him a hug. “Thanks for breakfast. Do you want us to do something tonight?”
“I’m not sure what I’m doing tonight, yet. I’ll let you know.” He kissed my cheek. “I’ll call you.” He gave Dan a frown on his way out. Dan waited until the door at the end of the corridor slammed, and then he shut my door.
“You are out of your mind, Dan. I can’t believe you just did that.”
He shrugged looking maddeningly gorgeous.
“What?” I asked when he didn’t say anything.
“I can’t believe he just left with me here,” Dan said in disbelief. “He’s just watched me flirt with you, and then he leaves us alone together. Is he for real?”
“He’s got soccer.”
“I don’t care if he’s go
t a gold ticket to see God. Most guys would stay and defend their territory.”
I reached for my coffee and sipped the creamy foam. It was just how I liked it, sweet and frothy with chocolate sprinkles on the top. “Dan, please get out of my room.”
He came and sat beside me on my bed. “Sorry.”
“You’re not sorry.”
“I am,” Dan insisted, not looking sorry at all.
“And why are you strutting around in your boxers?”
“Can’t a man wear boxers in his own house?”
“Point of correction: this isn’t your house.”
He was like Jace Washington before salvation, and it was too weird. God, I yelled internally. What’s up with this?
***
I decided to go home and tell my mom that I was going to New York. I omitted the part about lingerie, and she was delighted. I took the opportunity to pick up my car, too.
Sheena called again with more details of my stay in New York. She’d booked me into the Holiday Inn for the duration of my stay. I could hire a car if I wanted, but that would be on me. I was booked with Roz Petroz for Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, I had a ‘go see’ with Teen magazine at eight and could possibly be called back at twelve to do a photoshoot that would feature as part of their campaign against bullying. My flight back was Thursday morning at six forty-five.
Carl and I went for dinner that evening. He was tripping over Dan, and I assured him nothing was going on. I did feel really guilty though.
Chapter 42
I’d never been to New York before. My nose was pressed to the window as the cab driver weaved through the city to The Sherrington. I wondered if I’d get a chance to go out and explore the city during my stay. As we neared the hotel, I caught a glimpse of the Empire State Building in the distance. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t brought a camera. My phone had to do. I zoomed in and took a couple shots. I was actually in New York. It was unreal!
I walked into the hotel lobby half an hour early for my appointment. The elegant Asian receptionist directed me to the Phoenix suite where four other models were waiting. A light breakfast of croissants, fruit buns and hot drinks was set out on a table at the back of the room.
“You must be Lexi Dixon,” one of the girls said as I helped myself to a cup of coffee.
“Yes.”
She offered me a piece of paper. “I know because that’s the only name that doesn’t have a signature next to it.”
“Thanks.” I signed in and then studied my competition over the rim of my plastic coffee cup.
We were all dark-haired except for one, who had a short blond crop. The girl who’d spoken to me had the strongest looks with her poker straight black hair and pale skin. The other three girls were each standing on their own; one staring at her cell phone, another reading a copy of Vogue, and the other sitting on the floor. “What’s your name?” I asked the one who’d spoken to me.
“Terry.” She moved over like she’d been dying to talk to someone.
“Are you from New York?”
“No, San Francisco. What about you.”
“LA.”
“What agency are you with?” Terry asked.
“Transition. I’ve been with them for a few years now, and I think they’re okay.”
“I’m with Visage.”
The girl who’d been sitting on the floor got up and came over. She poured hot water into a cup and tossed a spoonful of coffee into it.
“Hi,” I said. She was the blond.
“Hey,” she returned. “I’m Sadie.”
“So are we all doing this lookbook, or are they gonna sift us?” Terry asked.
I shrugged. “I have no clue. I only got told about this on Friday.”
“I think we’re all doing it,” Sadie said. “I told my agent I couldn’t come all the way just to get cut out. This is my final year of college, and I really need to be in classes unless there’s a good excuse.”
“I’d say Roz Petroz is a darn good excuse,” Terry said.
“Not if you come all the way just to get rejected,” I said in agreement with Sadie.
“I’ve worked with Roz Petroz before. I did dresses for their lookbook last season,” Sadie said.
“I’m told we’re doing lingerie?” I asked.
Terry’s eyebrows lifted. “Really? I was told I’m doing nightwear.”
I shrugged. “Maybe we’re doing different things.”
“I was told I’m doing the same as last time. Their dresses look like lingerie anyway,” Sadie said.
“What about you guys?” Terry asked the other two who’d been silent so far.
“I was told that it’s swimwear,” the phone girl said.
“I’m doing lingerie,” the Vogue girl said.
So Vogue and I were both doing lingerie. Maybe they didn’t want to take too much of a chance on me. I studied Vogue. She had thick dark hair that tumbled past her shoulders in easy waves. It was lingerie girl hair. I hoped we were both doing it and not competing to do it.
I blew my coffee to cool it. Roz Petroz was mainly about lingerie, which made me feel like Vogue and I were probably the main girls since we’d both been told we were doing lingerie. But the fact that I was such a late addition to the squad made me nervous, like maybe they only wanted to check me out. I sucked in a deep breath and exhaled again. Whatever happened, being here was bound to be good for my career.
At nine-thirty, a scarily tall woman entered the hall to welcome us. We all grinned and said hi like we were really happy to see her, but all I could think was ‘you’re late, you moron.’ Just because you’re the client doesn’t mean treat the models like trash. But it was the same nearly everywhere. Modeling was like having a daily diet of humble pie. You couldn’t say what you thought. You could only smile or nod.
“I’m Anita,” the woman said. I couldn’t believe she was wearing heels too. “And I’m sure you all know why you’re here.”
We all smiled and nodded.
“The shoot will take place in this hall and on the balcony. Set up will start at ten and should take about an hour and a half. In the meantime, you lovely ladies will go through to the suite next door for hair and makeup.”
She looked at the signing in sheet. “Which of you is Lexi Dixon?”
I raised my hand.
“Have you brought your portfolio?”
“Yes.” I removed it from my purse and handed it over.
“The rest of you, hair and makeup,” Anita said taking my portfolio.
The other models left the suite and Anita opened my portfolio. “I did ask for it, but I haven’t had a chance to look at it. We thought you were blond.”
“A client dyed my hair for a particular job because they were expecting a blond.”
Usually people just flipped through my portfolio, but Anita pored over every picture on each page like she was reading a novel. I watched her, but her expression gave nothing away.
Finally, she closed it. “You haven’t done any lingerie.”
“I’ve done it on the catwalk quite a few times, but I’ve never done it in a photoshoot.” I hoped that wasn’t a problem, because I knew I could do it. “I’ve done swimsuits and bikinis though,” I reminded her. That was like lingerie. It was a good thing I kept my portfolio up to date. Some of my bikini shots from January were in there.
“Well, you have a great skin tone for what we want to do today. You won’t look too pale against the black back drop we’ll be using.” She gave me back my portfolio. “Why have you never done lingerie before?”
“Um, my mom wouldn’t let me.” I felt my face reddening. Now I sounded like such a baby. I could have given a better answer than that.
“Right.”
“But I’m eighteen now, so she’s cool with it,” I lied.
“Go and get your hair and makeup done. Rob wants to do one test shoot anyway, so we’ll see how you do during that.”
“Okay, thanks Anita.”
I went to hair and ma
keup. It didn’t take as long as many of the fashion shows I’d done because they were going for natural not dramatic. A lot of body makeup was used on the other girls, so that they didn’t look so pale, while I was just dusted over with a shimmery powder.
We went for the test shoot. It was more for the photographer than for us. He shouted directions about lighting and cursed throughout. It was getting close to one o’ clock when we started the actual shoot. I was starving, but the breakfast table was gone. Anita reappeared as we were starting the shoot. Apparently, she was the creative director.
Sadie was up first. She was wearing a deep violet dress that stuck to her like a second skin.
I watched her shoot along with the other girls. She was really good. I could see why they’d asked her back. She moved in front of the camera like a pro and looked completely at ease, like there wasn’t a nervous cell in her body. “She’s good,” I whispered to Terry.
Terry pursed her lips, but she didn’t say anything. Sadie’s shoot took a while as she had quite a few changes, but she worked really fast. I could tell that everyone was impressed. She needed little direction from Anita and Rob. I crossed my fingers behind my back.
After Sadie, the swimwear girl was led to the other side of the hall for her shoot. Her set was brightly lit, and there was sand and rocks and even a makeshift rock pool to create the illusion of a tropical beach. I went to watch.
“Yes, Lizzie,” the photographer drawled. “I’m liking it.”
Lizzie looked just as experienced as Sadie had.
Terry was next. Her set was dark and moody with tables and chairs for her to pose on. I thought Terry was a great poser, but I also thought she needed to do less posing as it was only nightwear, even if it was very sexy.
“Great pose,” Rob growled as Terry raised her leg onto a chair.
I thought she looked pretty men’s magazine. Maybe I was on a different wavelength.
After Terry’s shoot, Anita announced that the girls who were done could go and grab some food in the hotel restaurant. My stomach grumbled. I needed food, or at least a drink.
“Has anyone got water?” I asked.
Terry produced a bottle of Volvic water from her purse. “You look like you’re going to pass out.”
