“Or you could upend your life and dive into the cut-throat world of high fashion.”
I chew on my lower lip for several seconds. This is not something I ever dreamed I’d have to think about. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a girl like me. But I’m torn. I’ve finally found peace in my life, and with a man I truly love. And now, this major opportunity has presented itself, causing me to falter.
When I was a teenager, dipping my toes into the world of beauty pageants, I often dreamt of bigger and better things. I wanted to go straight to the top. As corny as it sounds, I wanted to be Miss America. I pictured myself as a brand ambassador, traveling as a positive role model. Making public appearances while dressing the part and encouraging women with passion and strong work ethic.
This could be an incredible opportunity for us. My “Angel Face” might finally bring us real money. We could live anywhere and make lasting memories.
On the other hand, I like where we’ve landed. I like our slow-paced life in the country and how Adam is fixing up my grandmother’s old farmhouse. The way he whistles when he works. The joy on his face when he’s accomplished a difficult plumbing task or after he’s hung a new light fixture. Simple evenings holding hands while watching the southern sunset with the crickets chirping and the sky ablaze in burnt orange and tangerine. Waking up pressed against his warm body with the house settling all around us. Floorboards creaking in the hallway. Tree branches scratching at the windows. The wind sweeping across the meadows.
The two of us coming together and realizing that home is a person. My home is Adam.
He fills the empty places in my life with his carefree smile and love of nature. He brought me back to myself. And isn’t that where I need to be? Not in some fancy French ad campaign, preening and pretending to be someone I’m not. Those days are over. I’m a Georgia country girl. The only reason I came up with the pageant dress photography idea was so I could work with Adam and share my grandmother’s creations with others—not to be “discovered” in a photo illegally obtained and then whisked off into the foreign world of modeling.
I look across the table and notice Adam’s smile is fractured with uncertainty. He’s silently studying me.
I’m finally happy, but I’m not sure if I want to risk changing my way of life. Will I regret not giving this a shot? I don’t know. This is a life-altering decision. A few months ago, I would have jumped at a way out of this one-stoplight town. But now, I have too much to lose. Now isn’t the time to experiment with a new career. I’m ready to settle down.
“Dan is assembling our legal team, and we’ve scheduled a video conference in a few days. I want you to be prepared for what he has to offer. But I also want you to be honest with me, and yourself.”
“I’m always honest with you, Adam.”
“I know. But if this is something you really want… something you need in your life, I’m not going to hold you back.”
I shut the laptop and frown. “Because you’d be coming with me, right?”
His smile is slight, his eyes clouding over with a familiar sadness. “I’m prepared to make a one-photo offer. I have no interest in an ongoing global campaign. If that’s something you have to have, I’ll understand. And I’ll absolutely help assemble a photography team you’ll be comfortable with long-term.”
“Long-term?” My heart is racing, and my mind is reeling with the thought of Adam literally out of the picture.
“I’m not cut out for this anymore, Keri. I’m happy here, with you. But as I said, if this is something you truly want to do, we can negotiate the terms so it feels right for you. I’ll help you the best I can.”
“You… you’d let me go do this without you?”
He licks his lips and avoids my stare. “I want to make you happy, Keri.”
“It’s you who makes me happy. Nothing else.”
Our eyes lock, his intense gaze causing warmth to pool in my tummy. “I would never forgive myself if I made you choose.”
“Choose what?”
“Me, or your career.”
“I wouldn’t have to choose if you came with me. We talked about this, Adam. You and me against the world.Beauty and the Beast, remember?”
“I remember. But this is too big. It’s too much. I was in the fashion and celebrity photography world before. It’s rough. Just ask Ridge Wilson about it.”
My thoughts immediately divert to the handsome, award-winning actor, his beautiful wife Beverly, and their precious son, Roman. Ridge has often said that if Hollywood came calling again, he’d have to pass. Unless it was a project he was seriously passionate about. Am I passionate about this project?
“A global campaign like this is grueling. In the past, work at this level took me away from my wife and child for months at a time. You need to be prepared that it will take you away from me,” Adam continues.
My heart is in my throat, and I will myself not to cry. “It won’t take you away if you come with me,” I reiterate. Why is he not listening?
He stands and shakes his head. “I can’t do it, Keri. I know this about myself. I’m sorry.” He runs his knuckles under his nose and sniffles. “You have some time to decide how you want to approach this. I promise, I’ll support you, whichever route you want to go.”
He pats his thigh, Molly’s sign to get up from her mat and follow him. He turns and walks out the back door, leaving me alone and more confused than ever.
I drop my face into my hands and press the heels of my palms against my eyes, willing the sudden desperation I feel to go away.
