We lapsed into silence. I stared at the TV but didn’t watch the film, let alone read the subtitles. We kissed our way through the final steamy scene. When the characters had earned their happily ever after and the credits started rolling, I took Jae’s hand and led him to my room.
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
JAE
“Better luck next time.”
I wheeled around at the sound of the vaguely familiar voice to find Seth, the guy I’d sat next to in the waiting room at ICE’s casting day, leaning against the outside wall of Chic Modelling. It was the end of another long day of mostly sitting around, followed by less than ten minutes in the presence of a talent agent.
“How did you know they didn’t want me?” I asked.
“You look like you’ve been slapped across the face with a wet fish. I figured you’d be smiling if you’d been signed.”
“You’re not smiling either,” I pointed out.
He laughed and shrugged. “I wasn’t what they were looking for either.” He pushed away from the wall.
“How long have you been trying to get signed?”
We began walking in the direction of the nearest tube station.
“Thirteen months.”
I stared at him.
“It takes time and a truckload of luck. I’ve had a few modelling gigs here and there, but I really want to get signed to an agency that can get me decent-paying ones.”
“Same.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I want to get signed,” I amended. “I’ve not got any modelling experience.”
“Don’t get disheartened. I see bright-eyed guys like you come and go all the time. If you can’t take rejection, you’ll never make it as a model.”
“Is being able to handle it any guarantee?” I mused.
“Nope. But if you give up, you’ve got no hope. I’m heading this way. I’ll see you around.”
Seth struck off down a side street, leaving me as alone as anyone can be in London.
Unlike ICE, who texted me after I’d left the building, the Chic casting agent had told me then and there that I wasn’t what he was looking for.
I checked my phone as I continued walking towards the tube station. Dillon wanted to know how I’d done, so I sent him a text letting him know I hadn’t been signed. He immediately replied with a GIF of a dog hugging another dog and a ‘better luck next time’ sticker. I was still smiling when I almost walked into someone tall and broad. I was saved by the wall of man putting his hands on my shoulders to stop me.
“Sorry.” I looked up from my phone. “Xander! What are you doing here?”
“I came to meet you. I wasn’t sure what time you’d finish, but it looks like I got lucky. How did it go?”
My smile wavered. “They were looking for more masculine models.”
“Damn. I’m sorry.”
I shrugged. “It’s fine. I know my look isn’t to everyone’s tastes.”
“I love your look.”
“Thanks. If only you were a casting agent.”
Xander stood beside me and put his arm around my shoulders. We began to walk. “Let me take you out to dinner.”
“Is this a commiseration dinner?”
