“So did I. Thanks.”
Jae was silent as we went downstairs in the lift and strolled onto the street.
“What do you want for lunch?” I asked. “My treat.”
“Xander…” He tucked his chin against his chest and clenched his hands by his sides.
“What’s wrong?”
“You’ve already done so much for me. Too much. I can’t ask you to pay for lunch too.”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering. And don’t worry about the photos.”
Jae looked at the building. “I only got an hour with the photographer back in Leeds. We’ve spent all morning with Maddison, and she’s invited us back this afternoon. This package must have cost a fortune.”
I put my hands on his shoulders. “Don’t worry about it, okay?”
Jae looked up and met my stare. His eyes were wide, and he’d caught the corner of his lip between his teeth. He’d put a small amount of make-up back on—a bit of mascara, eyeliner, and lipstick. I wanted to kiss him. I wanted to cup his jaw in my hand and press my mouth to his. But I couldn’t. It wouldn’t have been right, especially in a moment when he looked vulnerable.
“It’s too much,” he whispered.
“No. It’s not. It’s a gift. Think of it as seventeen years of birthday and Christmas presents all come at once.”
Jae laughed softly. “Xander…”
“I’m being serious.”
“Okay.”
“Okay, you’ll accept my gift?”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful.” I let go and stepped back. “Lunch?”
CHAPTERNINE
JAE
After a leisurely lunch full of chatting and laughter, we returned to Maddison’s studio to look at the photos. She had rearranged the studio. There was a giant screen on a wheeled stand in the centre, with two comfortable chairs and a refreshment table opposite.
“We’ll take a look through all the shots as a slide show, and then we’ll go through them one by one and narrow them down. Ideally, you want between six and twenty shots in your portfolio.”
“Twenty?”
“At the most. I’d recommend less.”
I fiddled with the hem of my shirt. “I must have about forty in my current one.”
“It sounds like someone steered you completely wrong, sweetie. Don’t worry. We’ll get you sorted. It’ll come down to what agents are looking for on the day, but your portfolio won’t let you down. I promise.” She turned the lights off. “Let’s get started.”
As soon as the slideshow started, it became apparent the so-called professional photographer back home had conned me. I was torn between crying over the money I’d lost to a charlatan and gasping at how amazing Maddison’s photos were. I had to keep reminding myself that I was the one in them.
“These are stunning,” Xander said.
I glanced at him. He stared at the screen, his lips parted slightly. The glow from the TV outlined the contours of his face. I already knew he was hot, but I was starting to realise that he was beautiful inside and out. I couldn’t think of anyone else who would have organised a photo shoot for me. Not even Dillon. It meant the world to me. I had no idea how I would repay him. I guessed I didn’t have to. Xander had said it was a gift. An amazing, over-the-top gift that was far and beyond what anyone would do for a friend, let alone for their brother’s friend.
“Help me choose?” I asked him.
