“It’s okay,” I said. “I didn’t expect it.” I put my fingers to my lips. “But it wasn’t bad. And I don’t know about brunch. It’s not the sort of thing I do? I mean weekends are usually helping my aunt and taking photos? And I’ve never been…” on a date? Was it a date? Was it okay to date another guy? What if said guy thought I was a girl? I looked down at the dress and thought this was a really bad idea.
He smiled and it was way nicer than anything he’d given the camera, a curve of cheeks and flash of dimples. I blinked, feeling a bit blinded and wishing for my camera. No wonder the guy was a model. “Name your favorite place and I’ll meet you there, say ten thirty? Public place, and all that. I promise not to kiss you again without your permission.”
He wanted to kiss me again?
“Nam Pi,” I said thinking of the Indian place with amazing breakfast. Lots of shops and dining in that area, and Sundays usually kept it pretty busy. It was near my aunt’s studio, but I rarely ever ran into fellow classmates down there. Which was good because I’d have to figure out how to dress like a girl again.
“Good choice. Their breakfast is amazing. Tomorrow at ten thirty?” he confirmed.
I nodded, feeling a bit dazed. What was I doing? “I’ll be there.” Should I bring my camera? Would he at least let me snap a few with my phone to remember him by?
“Drink more water,” he reminded me, reaching out to squeeze my hand a moment and then getting up. “See you tomorrow.”
And suddenly he was gone. My heart still raced at his touch and the memory of his kiss. Had I just made a date with Lucas Hart? Oh crap, what was I thinking? He thought I was a girl. Double crap. Should I feel weird about going out with a guy?
I gulped down another half bottle of water, fearing being light-headed, but mostly okay. Date a guy? Lucas wasn’t any guy. He made my skin feel like singing, and I longed to study his angles for days, snap a million photos to remember him by, or even listen to his soft voice as he whispered things to me. Not bad. I liked the idea he might like me, ‘cause I definitely sort of liked him.
My aunt opened the door and stepped inside a moment later. “You okay? Should I call your parents?”
“I’m fine. Just dehydrated. Forgot to drink. Did we finish?”
“And you forgot to eat. Part of that was my fault, trying to keep us on track. Your dad is gonna kill me. And I’m sure your mom will never let you work for me again.”
“I’m fine.” I got up; grateful the stupid shoes were gone. “Can I d-glam? Or at least have a camera so I can take a picture of my eyes?” I stared in the mirror fascinated by the dark and light mix of color. It didn’t look like me. “They thought I was a girl.” Even Lucas. I felt really bad about that. Would he get mad when he found out? Maybe tomorrow was a super bad idea.
“You make a very glamorous girl.”
I put my hands on my hips.
She smiled. “Really. You’re gorgeous. I thought at first you might pass, but really, you’re stunning. Not that you’re not cute as a boy.”
“It’s all the makeup and stuff,” I said examining the pop of green shadow. Was that multilayered? Is that how my eyes looked huge? Was it something I could replicate? How would I photograph that?
“You can slap makeup on a pig and it’s still a pig,” Patty said. “Have to have something to work with, and I think they liked you.” She pulled a stack of papers out of her pocket. “We’ll have to get your folks to sign off, but look at the money you’ve made.”
She handed over a check. That was a lot of zeros. “Is that really three zeros or is a period missing?”
“Sweetie, there is no period. They don’t pay pennies here. This shoot will make them millions. Mr. Clark is good, getting you full payment without being under their contract. As long as your parents sign off on the release, you will be buying that new camera you’ve been dreaming of.”
I stared at the numbers. “I will convince them.”
Patty’s smile brightened. “Good because I get a referral bonus, and if your mom and dad let me, I’ll be your chaperone for the next one.”
“Next one? No way!”
She waved the check. “Really? Imagine the photographers you’ll meet. How much you can learn? While still getting paid?”
She had a point. I knew of dozens of photographers who started as models. But I didn’t want to be branded as that guy who could always be a girl. I wanted to be me. Even if sometimes maybe that meant flirty clothes and some intense eye makeup. “Did you tell Mr. Clark that I’m not a girl?”
“The release doesn’t specify gender,” Patty said looking pleased. “We’ll worry about that for the contract down the line. Let’s do some headshots tomorrow and begin circling them around. I was thinking half-and-half. Show some versatility. Unless you really hate dressing up?”
I’d always sort of loved dressing up. Halloween my favorite holiday of the year. Was this different? Why would it be different? Because of how people saw me? That was confusing. Maybe my mom would help me sort it out.
“I’ve got plans for tomorrow.” My heart flip-flopped like a fish out of water as I thought of meeting Lucas again. Would he want to see me? Or the fake girl? I sighed internally, deciding I’d have to play the role for him, one last time. It was a little sad to think tomorrow would be it, and I’d have to revert back to nerdy Tory, whom Lucas probably never noticed.
“I have to talk to Mom and Dad about the contract.” Dad worked in contracts. He would know what to look for. “Let me get cleaned up. Can you give me a ride home?” The money was burning a hole in my brain with the need for the new camera. Was there enough time in the day to pick it up?
“Of course,” she said. “Let me get everything packed up for the evening.”
I stared in the mirror again before starting to strip out of the clothing they’d given us. It would be packed up, and returned. The models rarely got to keep anything they wore. Seemed a waste to me. But it stunned me how glamorous I looked. Unlike me. Like some fantasy, despite the layers of makeup. Maybe Anna could teach me to do the eye thing?
