RYLEE
The next morning,I wake up early and sneak out of the apartment without waking up Zander.
On my way to the hotel, I think back on my conversation withGlideControlZlast night. The date didn’t go quite like I expected. I mean, I wasn’t anticipating that he’d tell me he’d met someone else. I’m not gonna lie… I was really disappointed at first. However, I appreciate his honesty and in the end, this might be better for me. I’m still in Colorado, after all, and then there’s Zander.
I just can’t get him off my mind.
When I got home last night and found him lounging on the couch with Gizmo, dressed in a gray t-shirt and sweatpants, my whole body went hot. His invitation to play video games was so, so tempting, but I couldn’t ditchGlideControlZ.
Fuck, what’s going on with me? Of all the men in the world, why do I have to be thinking of him?
Then again, the night of the wedding…
Uhhhhhh…. no! Don’t go there.Playboy, Rylee, remember that.I can’t let myself get distracted by him today. I need to focus on the phone call with Juliet and the photoshoot.
I’ll figure out what to do with these stupid feelings later.
When I arrive at the Hilton, I make my way inside to the concierge desk.
“Hi, I’m Rylee Benson,” I tell the sharply dressed woman behind the desk. “I’m with ICON… ”
“Oh, yes,” she replies with a smile. “We’re expecting you, of course. Let me just call our manager and he’ll show you to the conference room.”
“Great, thank you.”
I stand to the side and wait as she makes a phone call. Moments later, a tall thin man in a gray suit appears. He approaches me with a smile.
“Miss Benson, it’s a pleasure. “I’m Lyle Crane, hotel manager. Allow me to escort you to the space we’ve reserved for you and your team.”
“Lead the way, Mr. Crane.”
He turns and I follow him across the lobby and down one of the large hallways. We reach a tall doorway and walk through into a conference room that’s empty except for the team that ICON has sent for me to work with.
“Please let us know if you need anything else, Miss Benson,” Mr. Crane says before leaving.
I cross the carpeted room to the group of five gathered in the middle.
“Hey everyone,” I greet as I draw near. “I’m Rylee, the sport’s photographer for ICON’s Athletic Division. Thanks for being here and I’m excited to get today going.”
They all turn to me and introduce themselves one-by-one. Remmy is my lighting guy, Sally is the wardrobe stylist, Lou is props, and Kara is my digital technician.
The last team member is a young woman who looks to be about my age with platinum blonde hair styled in pigtails, heavybut meticulously done makeup, and is wearing a short plaid skirt and black tank top.
“Hey, I’m Crystal. It’s so nice to meet you!” She’s smiling and seems excited and bubbly.
Overall, this seems like a solid group of people, and I know they have to be good at what they do. Juliet wouldn’t send us mediocre help.
“All right, everyone,” I declare, clapping my hands together. “Zander will be here soon, so let’s make sure everything is set up and ready for him. Remmy, Lou, and Kara, you’ll be with me as we set up for the shoot. Sally and Crystal, how about you get your stations set up against that far wall?”
We all get to work, getting everything set up. I get my camera out and get it ready for some test shots, then go around and make sure everyone is ready to go. I’m feeling really good about this, and proud of myself for being able to take charge. This is my big break, after all, and I can’t fuck it up!
After working with the tech and prop crew, I touch base with Sally and then make my way to Crystal. She’s got a mobile vanity set up with a mirror framed with lights and a chair for Zander.
“All good?” I ask her.
She turns to me, that wide smile still in place.
“Yes! Oh, man, I have to tell you, I’m so excited to meet Zander Caldwell. I’m a huge fan of the Night Hawks, and he’s so hot! He’s got that Thor-post-haircut look and it’s just yummy!”
