Mistletoe Bachelors (8 page)

Madison yawned as she rode the elevator to the hotel lobby the next morning. She didn’t get
paid enough to be up this early. She wrapped her scarf around her neck and leaned her head
against the elevator wall, closing her eyes. Nathan had a promotional photo shoot this morning,
in
Central Park,
with the representatives of the accessories division of
Gucci
. His new collection
of shoes and purses were being featured in their upcoming spring issue, hitting store shelves in
March. While Cole had raved all evening about being an observer on the set, she was less than
thrilled at the prospect. The day was sunny and bright, but she wasn’t fooled. The morning news
had announced an expected high temperature for the day of fourteen degrees. Even in her
warmest layers, Madison experienced a chill as the elevator doors opened in the lobby.

Cole waited for her on a bench in the elevator lobby. His smile was wide as she approached.
Wow, someone was excited this morning
.
“Good morning.” Cole stood and handed her a
Starbucks
cup.
“No,
good
would have been at eight. Why do they insist on doing photo-shoots at five

o’clock?” Nathan had warned them it would be an early morning, but five a.m.? Nothing should
be happening this early except sleep. She accepted the coffee cup and took a big lifesaving gulp.
The thick, creamy liquid stuck in her throat. She gulped. “Disgusting!” She grimaced. “What is
that?” She lifted the lid to peek inside the cup.

“How could anyone drink this?” She scanned the hotel lobby for the nearest garbage can and
the
Starbucks
.
Cole took the cup from her and handed her a different one. “Relax, I was kidding.
Here
is
your coffee.”
Madison hesitated until the familiar aroma drifted from the cup. She took a sip, savouring
the rich taste. The champagne the night before hadn’t been a good idea, given the early morning,
but she hadn’t been able to refuse the happy newly engaged couple. Her head ached, one look
outside at the bundled people passing by the frosted windows, and she moaned.
This assignment
was more trouble than it was worth. Keep thinking about your future with the magazine.
“There’s Nathan.” Cole nodded toward the entrance. He grabbed his camera and tripod and
set off for the door.
Madison braced herself for the cold, tucking her head deeper into the collar of her coat and
followed him out to Nathan’s
Hummer
. The wind took her breath away as she waited for Cole to
open the passenger side door.
He helped her up into the large vehicle then climbed into the back seat behind her.
She shivered as a blast of heat hit her feet.
“Good morning, you two. Sorry about the early rise.” Nathan pulled the
Hummer
onto the
street.
“No problem. We’re looking forward to the shoot.” Cole looked like a kid waiting for Santa.
Nathan laughed. “Maybe you are, but Madison looks like she could have used more sleep.”
He glanced in her direction and patted her arm.
Madison gave a weak smile. “I am tired, but this will be fun.” She took another gulp of her
cooling coffee and leaned her head against the seat. Content to let the two men chat about the
shoot, her mind wandered, as she stared out the window.
Fifth Avenue
was quiet in the early hour
before dawn, rare for the busy street. Soon it would be full of people, scurrying to their day jobs
or holiday shopping. The street would come alive with glittering holiday lights and extravagant
window displays in the department stores. The sound of Christmas music playing in the cafes
and restaurants would drift through the opening doors. Escaping the festive sights and sounds
was a challenge every year and made her heart ache. Despite the time since their separation,
forgetting about Kurt and the divorce continued to be hard, and the holidays reminded her of the
loneliness she fought every day. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Here we are.” Nathan said, breaking into her thoughts moments later. He turned the
Hummer
into the park.
Security guards flagged them inside a barricade and motioned to the parking area.
Nathan nodded in thanks.
“Wow, look at the amount of people on set.” Cole’s eyes shone with excitement.
Madison was impressed. Four cameramen and their assistants worked setting up additional
lighting and backdrops. Models stood under a large white tent, wrapped in big, bulky winter
coats and blankets to stay warm. Security guards milled about the perimeter of the park. Madison
hadn’t realized so much work or so many people were involved in the creation of the ads she redinked every quarter for the magazine.
Nathan led the way through the crowd to introduce them to the
Gucci
executives. Three men
in suits and overcoats huddled together over a laptop, reviewing the photo shoot line up and
making last minute changes to the rotation.
“Nathan, hi.” Erik Johnson, a
Gucci
executive shook Nathan’s hand.
“Erik, this is Madison Grey and Cole Harris from
Women’s World
.” Nathan accepted a cup
of coffee from one of the assistants. “Thank you.” He smiled.
Erik turned to Madison and Cole. “Welcome. It’s nice to meet you both. Cole, Nathan tells
us you are a very talented photographer, and I hear you’ve worked with some of our regular
models before. They speak highly of you as well.” He winked.
I bet they do
. Madison shifted her eyes and shoved her hands into her pockets.
How had she
forgotten gloves?
She would freeze to death out here, if the shoot lasted very long.
“Here is my business card, we’re always looking for new talent.” Erik handed his card to
Cole.
Cole’s face lit up. “Seriously? Thank you.” He tucked the card into his back pocket. “Is it
okay to take a few shots of Nathan at work?”
“Sure, no problem.” Erik took a sip of his coffee.
“Where should I set up, so as not to interfere with the other cameras?” Cole looked around
them.
“Come with me, I’ll show you.” Another executive offered.
The two disappeared.
Madison danced on the spot, trying to keep warm.
How long would this take anyway?
Maybe she wouldn’t be forced to stay for the full shoot
.
“We have a major problem people.” A thin, short man appeared behind them.
“Something was bound to go wrong.” Erik remained calm. “Let’s hear it.”
“Anya called on her mobile to say she is stuck in a traffic jam on the
Brooklyn Bridge,
and
she won’t be able to make it.” His tone was frantic as he threw his arms into the air. He paced
back and forth.
Erik put a hand out to stop the pacing. “Someone else can wear her sets.” He shrugged.
“Not possible. We had to special order her shoes. She’s the only six foot woman in the
world with size six feet.” The wardrobe assistant shook his head.
Madison stifled a giggle at the duress she heard in his voice.
So, a pair of shoes wouldn’t
make it into the shoot
.
What was the big deal?
“This isn’t funny.” The assistant shot her an annoyed look. “Anya was page three.
All
of
page three. Who’s supposed to fill page three?” His tone grew shrill as he continued. He rested
his chin on his hand and studied the ground.
Madison turned to slip away. The last thing she needed was to cause the irate little man to
throw a tantrum. She wondered if anyone would notice if she slipped into the heated gazebo next
to the ice rink.
“Wait a sec,” the assistant said.
“Huh?” She pointed to herself and looked around. “Are you talking to me?”
He nodded and gestured for her to come closer. “What size feet do you have?”
“I’m sorry?” Madison was afraid of where this question was leading.
“The… size… of… your… feet. What is it?”
She hesitated. “Um…”
The assistant bent and grabbed her foot.
“Hey!” She pulled her foot away from him. “Six, six and a half, if I’m wearing boots.”
Cole had returned and watched the scene with a grin.
Madison glared at him.
What did he find so amusing?
“Fantastic. Hurry, come with me.” The assistant tugged on the corner of her sleeve, dragging
her in the direction of the wardrobe tent.
“Oh, no way.”
Like hell this was happening
. “There’s a misunderstanding. I’m here as a
journalist from
Women’s World Quarterly.
I’m not a model.” Madison planted her feet and
yanked her arm away.
The assistant rolled his eyes and tapped his foot on the ground.
“You could be one,” Cole whispered, sneaking up on her.
“I’m not.” Her eyes narrowed as she hissed at him. Turning to the executives she forced a
smile, and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t.” She could hear Damian now. He would be furious about
her modeling for another magazine campaign. The idea was ridiculous. She refused to do it. She
folded her arms across her chest and shook her head.
“Madison, could I talk to you for a moment?” Nathan pulled her aside.
“We don’t have time for this,” the assistant whined.
“One second.” Nathan held up one finger. “Madison, since you’re not on the payroll as a
model, this wouldn’t be considered a conflict of interest with
Women’s World
, if that’s what
you’re worried about.” He lowered his voice.
“That’s a big part of it, but also I
have no idea how to model. I
wouldn’t have the
slightest…” She gave a nervous laugh.
“Also, I’m not sure if you know this, but the models get to keep whatever they wear here
today. The same rule will apply for you.” Nathan cut her off mid protest, tempting her.
Madison struggled with the idea. She wasn’t here to be showcased in a magazine wearing
Gucci
. She was a professional journalist. On the other hand, she had been eyeing his new
collection for months, and Samantha would love a Nathan Harper purse for Christmas. She
would never hear the end of it, if she refused.
Dammit, she was going to do it.
She sighed. “Fine,
I’ll do it.”
This assignment would be the death of her.
“Great, thank you.” Nathan looked relieved as he kissed her hand. “She’s all yours,” he
called to the assistant.
“Wonderful.” The assistant rolled his eyes as he led Madison to the tent. He handed her
several pairs of shoes to try on and nodded in approval when they fit. The matching purses were
spectacular, and the price tag would be the equivalent to a month’s salary for her. Next he
handed her a red velvet gown and reached to unzip her coat.
She slapped his hand away. “I’ve got it.”
“Fine, whatever. Just be quick, and then wait here Mary.”
“It’s
Madison
.”
“What is?” He looked confused.
“My name.” Madison removed her coat.
“Not today. I’ve already told the photographer your name is
Mary
. So today you are
Mary
.”
He stormed off.
Sighing, she gathered the dress and her accessories and disappeared behind a dressing
screen. Thankful for the little space heater, she undressed and slipped into the gown as fast as she
could. She groaned at her reflection in the full-length mirror. The dress was tight, revealing every
curve. With the way she’d been eating so far on this trip, it surprised her that it fit at all.
A makeup artist poked her head around the side of the dressing screen. “Erik asked me to
touch up your makeup. Is that okay?” The young woman smiled.
Did she have a choice?
“Of course. Is there a way to make me look less terrified?” Madison
stood still as the woman applied a pressed powder to her crimson cheeks. They could apply
layers of makeup, and she still wouldn’t look like these other women.
“Ah, you’ll be fine once you’re out there.” The woman applied bright red lipstick to
Madison’s full lips. “Done.” She smiled with approval and disappeared.
Madison checked her reflection.
Wow, what had she used on her face?
She touched her
forehead in amazement. Every last line was smooth, and her skin tone looked flawless. She had
to get the name of that concealer.
She grabbed a thick blanket and stood in the covered waiting area with the professional
models as they each took their place in front of various backdrops. The photographer gave them
little direction. They moved from one pose to another, holding each one, and then gliding into
the next one with grace and ease.
What was she thinking? She couldn’t do that. Not even
something remotely close to that
. Her chest hurt.
Was it too late to back out?
Cole and Nathan watched from the sidelines, and Cole smiled at her when he noticed her
standing in the entryway of the sheltered area. He waved and gave a
thumbs up
sign.
Great.
She was going to make a fool out of herself in front of everyone on the set, and he
had a front row seat.
Why had she agreed to this?
She looked around her for an escape. No one
guarded the back entry of the tent.
“Mary, you’re up.” The assistant poked his head inside the tent.
Too late
.
Madison removed the warm blanket from around her shoulders, and stepped out from the
shelter of the tent. Goose bumps covered the surface of her skin, and the cold wind whipped
through the thin fabric of the dress.
How had the others stopped themselves from shivering with
chattering teeth as they posed in this frigid air?
Cole’s gaze never left her as she stood in front of the first camera. He took in the tight, low
cut dress, bare thighs exposed through the slit and delicate thin ankles before returning to meet
her eyes. She flushed despite the cold. She remembered his promise the night before about
kissing her, and his eyes revealed he wanted to do just that.
Right now.
Panic crept up the back of
her neck.
Maybe this wasn’t worth the free shoes after all.
“Okay Mary, let’s get started.” The photographer poised, ready to shoot.
Madison sighed.
Please God, let me get through this
.

The minutes passed like seconds until the photographer announced they were done.
That
was it? That wasn’t so bad
. She rushed back inside the sheltered area and changed out of the
gown and back into her coat and dress boots. She shivered as she hung the gown on a hanger and
handed it to the wardrobe assistant.