Tell Me Something (The "Something" Series Book 1) (2 page)

I did what was asked simply because I wasn’t sure if I was going to pass out or start crying. Neither was a respectable option at the moment.

I must have appeared as awkward as I felt, as he was about to grab my leg but then paused. “This is something you are going to have to get used to, I’m going to be moving you. Are you all right with that?”

Surprised he would caution me, I was also thankful. Obviously, he knew I was completely new to this entire process. I could only nod again as he flipped my hair off my shoulder and turned my body, draping my dress to flatter the leg.

“There. Now I want you to go to whatever place you need to in order to conjure up the emotions I tell you, Haylee.” He backed off and was behind the camera clicking and winding things.

I was sure I appeared like a deer caught in the headlights. I could only blink at the noise and flash as Bart snapped a picture.

He spoke in low concise tones. “I want aloof, Haylee. You are waiting on someone and can’t be bothered to make eye contact with any other man in the bar. You know you look good, and there isn’t a thing you want to do to attract their attention.”

I stayed frozen, trying to register what he was saying, and then closed my eyes. Opening them at the sound of footsteps coming towards me, I was stunned to see Josh Singer.

“Haylee.” His voice was low and kind.

His piercing green eyes once again completely transfixed me, as I could only nod.

“Well, Haylee, I’m Josh. I don’t think we formally met.”

I smiled a little as he took my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Josh.” Swallowing hard at his touch, I was a little unnerved that he was speaking to me as if we were the only two in the room.

“You, too.” There was that ghost of a smile again.

I admitted, “I’m nervous and I really don’t want to blow this for you, but I’m not sure I’m equipped to pull this off.” I was being brutally honest even if it was going to cost me my job, this shoot, and whatever self-esteem I had left.

“Some girls would think this would be a fantasy come true: hair, makeup, playing dress up.”

“I’m so not that girl, Mr. Singer.”

He chuckled, seeming a lot less intimidating than I had originally thought. “You can do this. If you can work for Warren, I think you must have it in you.” He whispered the last part, causing me to smile.

“All right, I’ll try.” I took a deep breath and concentrated on the aloof, confident, sexy woman they wanted me to portray. It was satisfying to see Josh’s surprised look and his smile towards Warren.

Bart started snapping off some shots as he took me through the motions. A short time later called it a wrap on the first scene.

***

I was in curlers and wanted to kill someone. I had never been more humiliated in my life as when I overheard Ramone speak to Josh and Bart.

“We cannot do swimsuit; she is not waxed.”

I didn’t dare look at Josh or Bart’s faces but could tell by their silence that neither man knew quite what to say with that information. It wasn’t every day that a woman’s bikini line was an open topic.

Finally, Josh spoke. “Um, well, don’t we have a suit that ah, well, that doesn’t show, you know?”

I felt I had been a pretty good sport thus far, but this was too much. “You make it sound as though it’s a jungle. I simply said I’m not bare. I can’t believe we are discussing this,” I mumbled. As I got up, I noticed that Josh was trying to hide his laugh.

“Look, you will look great in the swimsuit,” Bart declared, coming up and taking my hand. “I’m the best in the business and you have my promise.”

I sighed as I had lost most of my initial embarrassment.

“As for the other, can we get, uh, well, a wax job?” Bart asked Trisha who evidently was going to be the lucky one to get the task.

“Of course, but she will be red,” she responded, shrugging.

Josh hesitated. “That’s fine, we’ll deal with it. That is if you’re all right with it, Haylee?” he questioned.

For a moment I was shocked that he was leaving it up to me. “Yes, I think so,” I answered, resigned. I was ready to face my fate via hot wax.

Coming out in the two-piece suit that was white, of all colors, I fought my anxiety. I worked out when I could. I actually loved running, but I was never more aware of my shortcomings as I was in this moment. I wasn’t fat, contrary to Ramone’s comment. I really did feel like a size six wasn’t heavy by any stretch, but I also wasn’t completely toned. Hell, I would have at least skipped the damn bagel this morning had I had a clue I’d be in a swimsuit later in front of a camera.

Dreading this and looking at the fake tan they had just applied, I wanted to run and hide, but instead I continued downstairs to the pool. I stole a glance at Josh and wished he would find something else to do. Wasn’t he the owner? Did he have to be here for the full time, watching me with those intense green eyes?

Luckily, the pool scene was the shortest one. Bart moved me around, and I concentrated on doing exactly as I was told. I could only hope he would be true to his word and make me look good in the bikini.

“All right, that’s a wrap on this one,” Bart determined.

The stylists moved in quickly to scoop me up and get me back into wardrobe. I visibly relaxed the moment the robe came on and was grateful that the pool scene was over.

Just one left. I looked at the last scene, which included smoke and a jazz performance up on stage—the typical lounge, only higher class.

They put me in a glamourous, dark burgundy dress that was a red carpet worthy. My hair was in a messy up-do with my lips painted crimson. I was positioned at the lounge table and watched as they placed my drink and the bottle within view. I had almost forgotten this was an ad for the rum. One of the staging staff placed a cigarette in front of me in an ash tray and my nose wrinkled in response. “What is this?”

The props coordinator explained. “In this scene you are a smoker.”

“I don’t smoke,” I said directly looking at Josh. I didn’t care who he was or how appealing he looked. I wanted to make it clear that this was not optional.

“All right, leave it burning for a couple shots then,” he relented.

I was temporarily mollified as Bart took the first few pictures.

“Good, now put your legs up on the other chair there, relax back as if you come here a million times and hold the cigarette up in your right hand. You’re not smoking it, but if you could appear like you are for a shot or two?”

I picked up the offending cigarette and heard Josh laugh as he started towards me.

“No, hold it like this.”

As much as the idea of holding a cigarette was offensive for me, his nearness was making it worth it.

“Good,” he commented, going back as Bart snapped a couple more.

Standing above his camera, he paused. “That’s good Haylee, take a break. Go on over to the bar. I need a moment to think of what I want to do there.”

I sat on the bar top and smiled as Josh yelled. “Take a break Haylee and give us a moment as we may need some more at the table. Wait there.”

Sighing, I lay down fully, flat on the bar surface. Looking up at the ceiling, I enjoyed the small rest. I smoothed down the dress and propped myself up on my elbows to glance over at Josh, who was simply staring at me. The air left me with the intensity of his gaze and then I jumped slightly when his voice broke the trance.

“Stay there, Haylee. Look towards me. Now raise your legs up. Cross them,” he encouraged, directing Bart to take the pictures. “Excellent.” After a few more shots, they called a wrap. All of the tension left my body as I hopped down and returned with Trisha to get back to myself.

***

My face was freshly scrubbed with minimal makeup, when I came out again. It was a relief to be rid of the false eyelashes and heavy cosmetics and back in my business attire. Everyone was busy, and I found Bart packing up his equipment.

“So did it go all right?” I asked.

The older man smiled and took my hands. “It went beautifully bella. Here is my card. If ever you want to model again, you call me, all right?” He beamed, kissing both my cheeks as I blushed with the unexpected compliment.

Bracing myself, I watched Warren stalk over with Josh right behind him. Warren appeared all business.

“Okay, Haylee, dress up is over. Go get Legal on the phone so that I can get the mess cleaned up with Katrina.”

Giving him a curt nod and Bart a small smile and wave, it was time for me to get back to reality.

I was on hold, waiting to speak with the general counsel, when Warren gave Bart an annoyed look and knew that they were in some sort of discussion that was not going Warren’s way. Not a good sign when they walked towards me.

“Tom, the general counsel, said he can meet with you at ten o’clock on Monday, Mr. Carlyle. He has the contract in hand—” I started.

“To use your photos, we need your signature,” Warren interrupted. “It’s just a formality since you were posing instead of Katrina. Call Legal back, get the release drawn up, and get it signed before you leave the office today.”

It had been a long day, and I’d been hoping to be able to catch a cab home, but it was evident that I was going to have to make my way back Downtown to the office after all. “Certainly, I’ll call them right back,” I confirmed.

Josh walked up. “Haylee, I want to thank you for stepping in today. Did Warren talk about your fee?”

Shifting uncomfortably, I looked at Warren, who was obviously caught off guard.

He attempted to answer, only to have Josh hold up his hand to stop him and glance back at me with an intense expression.

“Uh, we hadn’t discussed it yet, but he did mention the release. I will make sure I have that signed by the end of the day, Mr. Singer.” I looked between them, unaware of what was going on.

Josh gave me a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I think forty thousand is fair, don’t you, Warren?”

My jaw was about to drop open as Warren gave him a tight smile.

“Yes, yes, of course I was about to bring that up. Please make sure Tom includes that fee in your release package, Haylee. That is all.” He was effectively dismissing me.

Thankful to escape the friction, I went back to the phone to call Legal again. By this time they were probably tired of hearing from me. I stole a peek at Josh and found his gaze meeting mine. Fumbling over the words to the receptionist, I had to turn away. Jesus, it wasn’t enough that he casually gave me almost a full year’s salary in one afternoon, but the way that man looked and then looked at me.

I needed to get a grip. Josh Singer was not the kind of guy a girl like me flirted with or even entertained a fantasy about. I had one goal in mind, which was to save up for law school. I needed to remember that.

After arriving back in the office, I downed a diet coke to get some caffeine in my body. I hadn’t eaten all day and had a new respect for models as the fatigue was threatening to take over.

The Legal department was on the fifth floor of the building and I headed up to sign the release necessary for Cassius Rum to use my pictures.

Just one look at me from the legal assistant conveyed her irritation at having to stay late on a Friday evening. “Tom is waiting for you.” She gestured to our general counsel’s office door.

I had never met the man, but Tom Goldstein gave me a nod to come in as he finished up his phone call. He appeared to be in his late forties and pleasant-looking. He handed over some official looking papers. “Sorry about that. I’ve been trying to get Warren on the phone to authorize the forty thousand dollar payment. I hope you understand,” he apologized.

“I completely do. It was all sort of last minute,” I admitted as he watched me sign.

“Between the breach of contract with Katrina Tross and Mr. Singer being there, well it sounds like quite an interesting day,” he empathized. “You’ll get your payment next Friday, Haylee, when payroll processes it. I hope that is all right?”

I could hardly believe it. “Yes of course, thank you. Do you mind me asking what law school you went to, Mr. Goldstein?” I was always interested in anyone in legal, considering that was what I wanted to do next year.

“Not at all, and call me Tom. I went to Harvard Law School. I love it up there, especially in the fall. Are you interested in law school?”

Warming to his smile, I shared, “Yes, I’m saving up and hoping to go next year.”

He nodded, seeming pleased. “Did you already take the LSAT? Wait one second. Let me get these papers to Maureen so she can go home, then I’ll be back.” He gestured for me to take a seat as he went out and gave her the paperwork.

I heard another man’s voice and watched as Tom came in with Josh. I was unprepared to see him again so soon, but listened as Tom explained to Josh what I guessed was my release.

“Yes, this next Friday’s payroll sir,” he answered Josh’s question.

Josh’s look threatened to melt me on the spot. Jesus, I needed to eat some food and then go home and take a cold shower or something.

“So did you need anything else from Haylee this evening?” Josh asked.

“No sir. We were just discussing law schools and if Haylee had taken the LSAT yet,” Tom supplied.

Both men looked at me expectedly. “And did you?” Josh questioned.

I swallowed at that unbelievably sexy tone. “I, uh, yes. I took it in June.” My hands were knotted in my lap, and I realized I should probably be standing. I shot to my feet and almost groaned as that put me within inches of Josh.

“What was your score?” Tom inquired.

Josh seemed equally as interested.

“It was a 172.” My face heated when Tom whistled.

“That’s a great score. You could get into any of the top ten schools with that, most likely.”

Nodding, I was unprepared for this part of my personal life to become Josh Singer’s business. “Thank you, I hope so. If you don’t need me for anything else, Mr. Goldstein, I’ll leave you two gentlemen to your business.”

I was about to make my escape towards an In-N-Out Burger, fries and, hell, maybe even a chocolate milkshake, when Josh threw me for a loop.

“Actually Haylee, I came back to speak with you. Tom, thanks for taking care of the paperwork. Nice to see you again,” he said shaking the older man’s hand.

Josh walked me to the elevator and I fought my nerves.

“You’re blushing. What are you thinking about?” Josh inquired in a tone that I hadn’t heard him use before. It was intimate and soft.

My face burned even further with his observation. I was sure that I was going to faint from sheer hunger or madness from the day. “Well if I’m being perfectly honest, Mr. Singer, I was blushing at the fact that you have seen me pretty much at my most insecure today. Not exactly the impression I wanted to make with my boss’s boss.”

Watching his eyes, I knew he was surprised at my admission.

“I hope that you can always be honest with me, Haylee, and please call me Josh.”

“All right, uh, Josh. What was it that you wanted to speak with me about?”

The doors of the elevator opened and he walked next to me back to my desk which was in front of Warren’s glass office. Looking around, I was shocked not to see Warren back if Josh was here.

“Not here, have you eaten?”

The question was innocent and yet I was completely flustered. “Uh, no, I haven’t,” I answered quietly.

“I’m being presumptuous. You probably have plans on a Friday night?” He went around my desk and took the small photograph of my parents and studied it. It was unnerving.

“I was going to hit In-N-Out Burger, but no plans after that.”

His brow arched and I knew that I had probably come across like a teenager to him. “Are these your parents?” His voice was low and intimate again.

“Yes.”

“Do you have a car parked in the garage?”

“No, I take the bus in.”

“Good, we can take my rental car. Lead the way to In-N-Out Burger.”

The way he said it made me giggle. It was like an Ivy Leaguer trying out another language enunciating every syllable.

His brows shot up.

I didn’t want him to think I was laughing at him. “Sorry, it was just the way you said In-N-Out Burger. It made it sound fancy. We can go somewhere else if you’d prefer. I mean, it’s fast food.” I don’t know why I felt the need to explain, but I couldn’t picture this gorgeous man in his impeccable suit hitting up a fast food restaurant.

Making our way to the garage, I was even more convinced of it as I took in the Mercedes waiting for him. Feeling his hand on the small of my back, I tried not to let my nerves get the best of me.

“I think a burger and fries sound really good about now.” He opened my door.

I felt the cool leather on my bare legs and inhaled the scent of the car. It was hard not to when you were in a vehicle this rich.

“Are you, uh, smelling the car?”

Embarrassed for a moment, I shrugged. “The leather of the new car smells amazing. I can’t help it.”

He looked amused as he navigated out onto the streets of LA and right smack into rush hour. “Do you like LA?” he queried.

Wondering what it was he wanted to speak with me about, I remained patient. He was a man who seemed to be in control at all times and at this moment he wanted small talk.

“It’s all right. The weather is nice but traffic not so much.” It had taken ten minutes to go one mile and we had four more to go to the nearest In-N-Out Burger.

“Where are you from originally?”

It would be nice if there had been less traffic so he’d have to keep his eyes on the road, because every time he glanced over I got flustered. “I grew up north of San Francisco and did my undergrad at Stanford.” I was trying not to babble as this wasn’t a date and a get to know you. This was my boss’s boss and the owner of the company.

“Do your parents still live there?”

“No. They both are deceased.”

He murmured, “I’m sorry.”

The awkward silence was weighing on me as he seemed to absorb my answers. “Where are you from?” I asked.

He seemed startled at my reciprocating question as his gaze met mine again.

Was this type of question considered bad form in the business world? I wasn’t sure. Then again, we were on our way to eat fast food after a day of discussing my bikini line. How much stranger was this day going to get?

“I grew up in Virginia, outside of DC in a town called McLean. Now I’m based primarily out of New York City, although I travel quite a bit.”

I wanted to ask him where his favorite place in the entire world was or how he liked New York City, but I felt like it would highlight my lack of worldliness and Josh Singer just didn’t seem the type to talk for no reason. I didn’t even realize I sighed until he looked at me.

“I guess I’m not very good company,” he remarked with surprising vulnerability.

Turning towards him I admitted, “Honestly I was sighing because I want to ask you more but then felt like it might be inappropriate or that you might think I’m the one that isn’t good company.”

He took the exit and then turned towards me at the light. “I wish you would just ask me the questions, Haylee. Too many people worry too much about what I might think or not think.”

“Did you want to grab a table or do drive-thru?” I questioned, realizing we were both still in business attire.

“I’m all right with drive-thru if you are.”

We got in line and I wondered if it was lonely in his world. “Where is your favorite place in the world that you’ve ever traveled to?”

Smiling he thought about it. “If it is a beach, then I would say Moorea, which is in the French Polynesian Islands. For culture, I would say Prague or Istanbul.”

“Where is the most charming place you’ve ever been?”

He seemed thrown by the question at first. “Ah, the most charming place would probably be Ireland. What are we ordering?” It was our turn to order at the speaker.

“You want me to choose?” I was surprised as he just nodded. I leaned across him without thinking. “We’d like two cheeseburgers, two fries and two chocolate milkshakes, please.” He stiffened at the contact and I quickly moved back, trying not to notice that he smelled amazing. Even better than the car. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to invade your space.”

I retrieved cash out of my purse and felt his eyes on me. Looking at his expression, I could tell he was amused that I was going to pay. “You’re driving me home and just gave me forty thousand dollars I didn’t have yesterday, the least I can do is treat you for a junk food dinner,” I insisted.

I had expected him to be stubborn, but instead he accepted my twenty, giving it to the teenage girl who could only stare dumbly.

Yeah I know how it feels honey, he is way out of both of our leagues.

As he handed me my change, I felt his hand on mine and thought it unfair that I be so affected while he was going through the normal motions.

“So, do you want to eat in the parking lot, go back to your place, or we can go to my hotel room?” He must have noticed my stunned look as he hastily added, “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, I meant— You know what, why don’t we just pull over here?” He parked the car on the far side of the lot. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, Haylee.” His voice was quiet.

I was half torn between ripping into my cheeseburger and wanting to unbuckle his pants and devour him. I doubted either of those scenarios was in the business etiquette handbook.

“You aren’t. I knew what you were asking and considering traffic, I think eating here is preferable. I’m starving.”

He seemed to relax as we both dug into our burgers and I tried to remember my manners.

“Well what do you think?” I asked.

“It’s good. Is this your go-to place for dinner?”

“Ah, no, can’t keep my size six, still-too-fat-for-modeling figure, going out here every night.”

He chuckled thankfully, with an appreciation for my sarcasm.

“It’s more comfort food after a long hard day with no workout planned after. Slug food.”

He quirked a brow.

“You know, slugging on the couch after junk-induced food coma?”

He seemed to find that humorous. “When are you going to law school?”

Well, that was quite a change in subject. “I’m hoping next year in the fall.” I was feeling better by the minute as I started on my fries.

“Why are you waiting?”

He seemed sincerely interested but I really didn’t want to make it about money. This was a man who wouldn’t understand having to save up for something. “I had a lot going on right after graduation and I wanted to work for a year first.”

He frowned at my vague answer. “Do you like working for Warren?”

I stopped chewing and swallowed hard. Warren was a bully around the office and I wasn’t particularly fond of him. But Josh was his boss, and one of the traits I held dear was loyalty so I answered carefully. “He’s good at his job and well respected in the industry. He’s professional and works hard.”

Josh appeared disappointed by my response. “You do know that he wasn’t going to pay you for today, right?”

My breath caught. I had suspected that Josh had everything to do with the payday, but hearing the confirmation made me a little sick to my stomach. Warren hadn’t seemed appreciative of me stepping in at all. Knowing his personality, he probably thought of it as an extension of my job duties to fill in when requested.

“Mr. Singer, I’m not sure what you expect me to say. I’m not surprised if that is what you’re after. However I don’t think it is appropriate for me to discuss my feelings on the matter with his boss and the owner of the company.”

“I admire your loyalty, Haylee. Warren has been through five assistants in the last three years. I’m well aware of his reputation. But you’re right, he works hard for me and works harder for his clients so I can excuse his lack of soft skills most of the time. You started calling me Mr. Singer again by the way.”