Chapter 26
The alarm blared around the room and caused Tasha to groan at the 06:00 display shining at her. She dragged herself out of bed and padded down the hall to the kitchen where she put the kettle on. Leaving her tea to brew she showered and returned to the kitchen to finish her tea off when her phone rang and made her smile, ‘Viva Las Vegas’.
“Good morning.”
“It’s actually goodnight for me,” said Jim.
“Sorry. How was your afternoon?” He sounded happy.
“Alright. I maintained my mood at mediocre and then I went to see Lizzie before coming home. How about you, did you sleep well?”
“I did until Lucy and Ryan returned at midnight and were very vocal in their bedroom pursuits until four o’clock this morning.” She laughed, her laughter increasing when Jim joined in with her.
“Oh dear. We’ll return the favour when I come to stay.”
She inwardly cringed at the realisation he was planning to stay with her. She’d assumed, hoped he would book into a hotel as he was used to much grander surroundings than her little two bedroomed flat.
“Are you okay?” Her sudden silence caused him concern.
“Yes, sorry. I was just thinking about what I’ll need to take with me and what a pain Lucy will be to get up this morning on three hours sleep.”
“Then I should let you go and will have sweet dreams of you posing in underwear. Don’t forget to send me the photos.”
“Of course, and this time tomorrow we will be on our date,” she said nervously.
“Okay, baby. Sext you later and don’t worry about the date.”
“Bye.”
****
She eventually got Lucy up and as she waited for her to get dressed Tasha packed her bag; accessories, make up, and a pair of gold strappy sandals Jim had bought her in L.A. She dressed in a pair of cropped white linen trousers and a red and white striped t-shirt. As she sat waiting for Lucy, Ryan appeared in a pair of boxers looking every inchjust shagged. She giggled to herself as she recalled her ownjust shaggedlook after her encounter in Jim’s office. Lucy reappeared and Tasha laughed as her friend’s eyes lit up at the sight of Ryan in his boxers.
“Lucy, avert your eyes from Ryan and his hose. We have work.” Tasha picked up her bag and headed for the door with a call of bye to Ryan.
When they arrived at the studio Jake was already there and looked genuinely pleased to see her as she found herself engulfed in a warm and caring hug.
“Hi, Tash, how are you? You look great.”
“Thanks. I’m fine, you?”
“Good, yeah. Lucy said you’re seeing someone.”
Tasha shot Lucy a glance. “Yes. I didn’t realise you’d seen Lucy.”
“In the pub last night. She wasn’t gossiping, she just mentioned it. Are you happy? You look happy.”
“Yes, very,” she replied honestly, and felt her grin broadening.
“Right, come on then, time is money,” came a cry from behind them.
Tasha was taken into make-up and hair and with a very sun kissed look she was given her first outfit, a black bandeau style bikini.
She posed and pouted to Jake’s instructions then went to change. Her hair was restyled in an up do and the make-up adjusted to a more natural look and was passed her next outfit that Lucy and her boss dressed her in; an ivory basque with a thong from the bridal range and champagne lace topped stockings.
