“First two are ready!” Alec announces.
Two models walk over decked out in rainbow outfits. They’re short, sparkly, and a little too sexy for my taste, but I wouldn’t mind being with a woman dressed in one of them. I tell them where to stand, and they immediately go into posing. Alec must’ve prompted them beforehand because they’re naturals, making sure the clothes are taking precedence over them. I’m always in awe of all the ways models can contort and bend their bodies to make the clothes look even better.
Some of the poses are somehow romantic, but also show off the clothes. I’m equally impressed and hope the rest of my day will be this simple. It’s much easier on my end when I don’t have to give too many directions.
It reminds me of my shoot with River and Aspen. They had stepped in when the models I hired got sick, and although they started off nervous as heck, those two pulled off my best-sellingpieces. That photoshoot has a permanent spot at the downtown art museum; their chemistry is something I haven’t been able to match. But they had been so attuned to each other that they needed no directions from me, which was probably a good thing since I don’t think they would’ve been able to hear much from me that day. I had witnessed the beginning of their falling back in love, which proved to be an amazing wedding present. Their photos made a home all around their new apartment. Of course, saving the sexier ones for over their bed, or so I’m told. Trust me, I didn’t bask in seeing my best friend like that.
“What’s your name?” I ask as the model who was fan-girling over me approaches the shoot.
“I’m Ava.” She smiles and holds out her hand. I shake it, trying not to gawk as I realize how much of her is exposed. She’s wearing the tiniest dress known to humans, her breasts and curves on display. I don’t want to be one of those photographers, so I quickly clear my throat and introduce myself to the second model.
“I’m Max, and you are?” I’d be lying if I said I heard her name. My head is too focused on how beautiful Ava is.
I direct them both to the middle of the backdrop, and they go right into it. They look amazing, and I make sure they take most of the focus.
I stop to adjust the features on my camera. Since Ava is a Black woman, I want to make sure she isn’t washed out with improper lighting or the wrong settings. All too often, photographers forget you can’t treat every model the same when it comes to those things.
Aspen sneaks up behind me halfway through the shoot to watch. It’s not uncommon, she likes to be nearby to make sure the makeup is working. But I can feel her eyes on me while I’m moving around the set to get the right angles. I try to ignore it, but I never see her watching me this much. Is something wrong?She raises an eyebrow at me, and I have to pull away to ask what’s going on.
“Is something up?” I whisper, pulling Aspen to the side.
“You’re joking, right?” She laughs.
“What?” I look at her, confused.
“That model is eye fucking you, do you not see it?” Aspen asks, and I sheepishly glance back to Ava to see her eyes on us.
“You think so?” I smirk to myself.
“I can’t believe you didn’t see it. She’s been all over you since she walked in.” She laughs before walking away.
I shake my head and turn back to the set. “Sorry about that.”
Ava and the other model both nod before snapping back into position. This time I can’t help but notice how Ava is looking at me. It wouldn’t be the first time a model flirted with me. And it wouldn’t be the first time I’ve gone home with one. But am I ready for that? My stomach is in knots thinking about Cari. I haven’t spoken to her in weeks, not since I blocked her. Sure, I was drunk when I did it, and it might’ve taken me a day or two to notice. But as soon as I did, I didn’t unblock her. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to move on if she kept contacting me. I knew I had to go full ghost mode, at least for now. But does that mean I am ready to move on?
I am so stupid. It isn’t like Cari and I were even in a relationship, so why wouldn’t I be ready to hook up with someone else? In the past, I never thought twice about something like this, but here I am. It’s like she’s completely rewired me, and I don’t know how to go back to the way I was. I don’t want to be dependent on anyone, especially someone who is so up and down. I know I need to push her out of my head once and for all, but it is easier said than done.
“Thank you both,” I say when I’m ready to move onto the last set of models. Ava blinks at me, batting her fake eyelashes andI internally groan. Something about a woman all made up and wearing a feminine outfit gets me so fucking pent up.
I photograph the last two models, who are equally beautiful as all the others, but my mind isn’t in it. Thankfully, I’ve been doing this for long enough so I can photograph in my sleep. I have Alec look over some of the photos so they have an idea of what I did and if I need to retake any.
It’s a hell of a lot easier to show clients the raw moments here for poses rather than have everyone come back another day.
“This is fucking fantastic, you did amazing,” Alec praises. “I can’t wait to see the final pieces.”
Everyone is dismissed to get undressed, and Alec makes sure all the clothes go back on the rack. I see Aspen’s face dropping when she realizes we won’t be getting any pieces, so I make a mental note to email Alec and ask on her behalf when the line drops. It’s the least I can do for my best friend. Plus, I could always offer to grab some live shots from PRIDE for Alec if they wanted. I am positive Aspen and River would look amazing in them, and I don’t know a designer who would ever turn down free advertising.
“So, did I look okay?” Ava sneaks up behind me, this time dressed again in her tight jeans and black sweater. Her makeup is more natural this time, gone are the huge lashes and bright colored eyeshadow. She still looks just as beautiful.
“Uh, yes. You looked great.” Damn, has it been that long that I’ve forgotten how to flirt with a woman?
“I was hoping you’d notice.” She winks, reaching in her back pocket she pulls out a piece of paper and leans in close to me. I can smell her lilac perfume and I gulp as she places the paper in the front pocket of my shirt.
“Call me sometime, I’d love to hear more about anything you’re working on.”
“Sounds good.” I smile as she bites her bottom lip.
I’m staring at her perfectly round ass as she walks out when Ava turns around and giggles, catching me looking. Holy hell, women are going to be the death of me.
