“You’re not wailing, demanding to be fed, or asking to watchPeppa Pig.”
“Oof! Said like a man who has spent hours babysitting.”
“I watched my aunt’s kids sometimes. It was a good way of earning money when I was a teen. Of course, it wasn’t as simple as putting my feet up and watching TV while they visited the land of Nod.”
“I bet it wasn’t.”
“They were little demons. ‘Xander, I’m thirsty!’ ‘Xander, I need a wee!’ ‘Xander, I’m too cold. I’m too hot’.” I rolled my eyes. “They would find any excuse not to sleep. I’d be up and down the stairs a thousand times before they finally drifted off.”
“Was the money worth it?” Jae asked once he’d managed to stop laughing.
“Yes. I used it to save up and buy my first camera setup for streaming.”
“Wow.”
I picked a daisy and handed it to Jae. “It feels like a lifetime ago.”
“I bet. It’s a whole other world down here.” Jae added the daisy to his hair. He looked so pretty.
“Tell me more about your vision board. What cities do you want to model in?”
“Paris, for sure. New York, Milan, Tokyo, Shanghai. That’s where all the big fashion weeks take place.” He gasped and pressed his hand to his chest. “It would be amazing to be part of even one fashion week. It would be a dream come true.”
“Just one? Remember your vision board. Think big, Jae. You’ll walk the catwalk at all of them.”
Jae flicked his hand down. “Maybe I should concentrate on getting signed first.”
“Yes, but keep your big-picture goals in mind when you go to the open call tomorrow. Make them see you’re the next big thing in modelling.”
“Thank you.”
“What for?”
“Believing in me.” Jae smiled sweetly. “It means a lot to me.”
“Anytime.” I packed away the empty food containers, stood, picked up my coat, and held my hand out to Jae. “Come on. I promised I’d show you around London. We still have a lot to see.”
Jae placed his hand in mine and let me help him up. “I’m looking forward to it. Lead on!”
CHAPTERSEVEN
JAE
I arrived early for the open casting call, but the queue was already winding around the block. I joined the back of the line, trying not to get intimidated by the dozens of hot, attractive men. Thankfully, I’d brought a couple of books, a water bottle, and some snacks. I was sure my feet would ache when I got to the front of the queue. Not that the modelling agency would start letting people in for another two hours. The guy next to me had brought a camping chair to sit on. He’d obviously done open casting calls before.
I couldn’t see when the modelling agency opened its doors, but I did know the moment we all began to shuffle closer to our goal. My feet were aching, but tempted as I was to sit on the floor, I knew I couldn’t get dust or dirt on the cute outfit I’d picked. It showed off my figure through simple lines and block colours without being distracting.
My phone buzzed in my bag. I took it out. I hoped my parents were sending me a good luck message. I’d texted them last night to let them know my first open call was today. They’d sent a message telling me to have fun in London. They did care in their way.
It wasn’t my parents.
Dillon:Break a leg.
Jae:They say that in the theatre, not modelling.
Dillon:Huh. Okay. Good luck. Not that you need it.
Dillon’s text brought a smile to my lips. Xander had said something similar that morning. He’d got up extra early to ensure I had breakfast before I left his apartment. If he hadn’t been my best friend’s brother, his behaviour over the last day and a bit would have got me feeling all swoony. Who was I kidding? His behaviour was one hundred per cent making me feel weak in the knees.
