“Okay.”Okay? What is wrong with me? It usually took blackmail to get me out of the apartment.“You know, I could speak with my roommate, she manages a bar, maybe get you guys a corner or a booth.”
“That would be amazing. Thank you,” said Paisley.
“Right, so I’ll be in touch about the weekend?” I asked, not so sure of myself.
Yes, definitely.” Nikki added happily. I left the house with a wide smile and took careful steps around the side of the pool. I was clumsy enough on a normal day. I didn’t need to makea fool of myself by slipping over. The splash of water had me turning my head as Roman pulled himself up onto the side. I smiled over at him, he was very good looking, he totally deserved to be working with Boss. I went the opposite way. I wasn't the most forward person in the world, I hadn’t got a clue how to put myself out there. How I’d got where I was now; I had no idea. I wasn’t confident. “Hey, Karen.” I turned back at the sound of Roman’s voice. “Thanks for doing such a good job.”
“You’re welcome.” My fist clenched at the side of me while my portfolio was in the other. The shadow just beneath the water was swimming to the side, I managed to pass the end before his head broke the water. I wasn’t sure what it was with him, but my skin broke out in goosebumps every time he looked at me. His eyes undressed me… “See you soon.”
He nodded, and I quickly moved my feet towards the gate.
Rhys was at the gate and opened it for me with a smile. He was such a big guy, I had to tip my head back to look at him. I’m sure he was seven feet tall. Well, maybe not, but compared to my five-feet-five, he was tall. I can’t imagine how Nikki felt, she was even smaller than me. But I could imagine she was a little spitfire. Especially where all these men were concerned, she’d need to be.
As I thanked Rhys, I headed to my car. I threw my bag on to the passenger seat, and made my way around to the driver’s side and got in. The heat was stifling, I wound down my window and let some air circulate before I started the engine. I cranked up the dial for the cold air, and quickly checked my cell before I left it in the cup holder, and with the turn of the key, I placed it in reverse and pulled out of my spot. As I shifted into first gear, I saw Gav standing in the empty gap. His chest was on show and his lean frame was against the wall. He stared at me as I looked back in the rear-view mirror. I had no idea why he was staring at me the way he was, though. He smirked when I stared back,I shook myself and pulled away. Once I was through the high wrought iron gate, the security guy nodded at me and I left.
The drive home was quite short, and even though the roads seemed busy, I seemed to make it home in no time.
Once I’d locked my car in the parking garage, below mine and Holly’s apartment, I headed upstairs. It wasn’t in a great area of town, there was theft, muggings, hookers… you name it - it happened here. I’d love nothing more than to make enough money to get us out of here, and into a better part of town. It’s crazy how you can be in this shitty part of town one minute, and just five minutes out of town, there’s nothing but grandeur. Maybe one day, if my photography takes off enough.
I made it up the stairs in a few minutes and entered our apartment. Holly was sleeping when I left but from the state of the apartment now, I’d say she didn’t have time to clean before work.
She’d been working at the bar since we left college. When the owner asked her to run it, she’d jumped at the chance. Then, with a plan, she passed a degree in business management. She was the people person in our friendship. We’d ended up in the same dorm. I was quiet, meek and kept to myself, but Holly, no. She was having none of that. She introduced herself with her usual bubbly attitude. She made me smile and I instantly liked her. Within a month she’d brought me out of myself a little.
We didn’t have a big group of friends though. We had friends, but it was always mainly the two of us; well, until we both got boyfriends, not so much me but Holly did. With her long dark hair and features it was hard to not see why she attracted them.
People always said that blondes have more fun, not this blonde. I was quite happy being my usual nerdy self as I took up photography. It had been my passion from when I was a teenager. I used to fool about and take pictures of everything. No one was safe. My parents used to get annoyed with me at first,but then they realized how much I loved it, and just let me get on with it. When school turned into college, I knew what I wanted to do. I sent portfolios to magazines and newspapers but I heard nothing back. Until one day I photographed a family friend. She wanted to be a model and she asked me if I’d do her portfolio. I agreed. It was then that I finally found my break. I was getting calls from magazines and newspapers to snap models, and even some celebrities. Holly almost bullied me about going freelance.
For the record, I’m glad she did.
All her paperwork was strewn across the coffee table. God, it was a good job I loved her. I left my portfolio bag on the armchair and went over to tidy it up. Once that was tidy, I went to make coffee. I needed to get some more work. I hated working in dribs and drabs. I had to be busy. Although, it paid very well. It was times like this, I wished I didn’t live far from my mom. I missed her. I knew what it would be like when I made the decision to move away from home, but sometimes it was lonely.
I sighed and grabbed my cell from my pocket. I pulled up my mom’s number and hit the call button. It started ringing, and after two rings, her sweet, familiar voice answered.
“Hello, sweetheart,”
“Hey, Mom. How are you?”
“I’m doin’ just fine, how about you?”
“I’m good. Thought I’d call you, see what’s going on back there.”
“Nothing much here, sweetheart. Your brother is driving me crazy, as normal.” I smiled. My brother, Dan, was the only sibling I had, he was just eighteen months older than me, and we’d always been close. “Anyway, what's this I’ve heard?”
“What’s that?” I acted nonchalantly. I knew she was talking about Roman.
“Big designer. You’re working for them…”
“Oh that, it’s nothing really.” I waved it off, I hated being the centre of attention at the best of times but I guess I could take this one. Just hearing the proudness that laced her voice, I knew she was impressed.
“I did a shoot for Roman Dean, and I did their wedding last weekend. It was amazing, Mom.”
“Well, look at you. My daughter, the big photographer. I knew you’d do well. And is L.A. treating you well?”
“I think so.” I smiled.
“No boyfriend on the cards or anything?” She fished for information.
“No, Mom, no boyfriend. I’m quite happy the way I am.” I added with a smile. Mom then filled me in with a couple of pieces of information about her health. My dad died a couple of years back, so it was just Mom and Dan. Although, it wouldn’t be long before he’d leave home too. “Okay Mom, I better be going, I’ve got some editing to do.”
