Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Kendall was normally amenable, and I didn’t think Rowan knew what to do with that, so he overproduced for her. Was overly perfect, and she loved him for his adeptness. But they had also become friends, had genuine affection for each other, and unless I was wrong, she was the only person he actually confided in.
“I love what you came up with,” Kendall finally said, and Rowan exhaled. “Which outfit is first?”
When Rowan glanced pointedly at me, I said, “Oh, um, the cream dress with the nude pumps.”
“Perfect,” Kendall said.
“I agree,” Rowan said as he lifted the garment off the rack.
Kendall stepped to the mirror, and Rowan held up the gown with the blue embroidery lining the bottom of the dress.
“Looks great,” I said, and she smiled.
Just as Rowan finished discussing the jewelry he’d borrowed, the makeup artist for the set made an appearance.
“What look are we going for?” She glanced at the rack of designs just as the magazine stylist walked over.
“Timeless,” the stylist said.
Kendall went off to the makeup artist’s station while we steamed any wrinkles out of the clothes and made sure all was in order for the costume changes.
After a few minutes, Kendall motioned me over and begged me to tell her about my night out.
“It was fun! We danced our butts off,” I said, noticing Rowan pretending not to listen. For someone so above it all, he sure seemed interested in my social life. “Casey is way better than me, so I just try to keep up.”
“You’ll have to invite your roommate to another show,” she said, referring to how I’d scored Casey live audience tickets around the holidays.
“He’d love that.” I thought of his schedule. “He’s been busy building the set for an upcoming off-Broadway show. I can’t wait to score tickets for that too.”
“It’s nice to have all the perks,” the makeup artist said with a grin, and Kendall laughed.
“So…” She eyed me. “Any cute-boy encounters?”
“There are always cute-boy encounters,” I replied with a wink.
“Do you have a preference or type—besides hunky?”
“Anyone who’s willing?” I teased.
“You’re terrible,” Kendall said with a laugh, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rowan cringe. Good, I liked making him squirm.
It was a long morning of outfit changes and camera angles and so much standing around that I was beginning to understand the hurry-up-and-wait adage in the entertainment industry. But it was cool to watch the photographer work his magic, and when he called us over to view the shots on his computer, I was impressed. Thankfully, by then, he thought they had enough of a selection to decide on the cover and spread.
“I think that’s the money shot,” Rowan said, pointing to a photo where Kendall had a faraway look in her eyes.
“I’ll have to agree,” I piped in. “It looks couture.”
“Now who’s using big words?” Rowan replied, and my cheeks grew warm.
“Ugh, guess you’re a bad influence.”
By the time we finished, it was midafternoon, the magazine rep had returned to her Midtown office, and the food the photographer had ordered us for lunch arrived. I eyed the sandwiches with interest because I was famished.
We gathered around a long table and served ourselves from the platter, everyone making small talk. Even Naomi was off the phone and chatting up the photographer’s assistant. Rowan and Chris Davis discussed a future shoot with one of Rowan’s model friends he’d offered to help style—something I noticed he did often. Another juxtaposition to his grouchy demeanor.
“So where are you from?” Chris asked me, and I stiffened briefly. Was it that easy to tell I wasn’t from the city?
“A small town in Missouri called Stockton.”
“Bet the city was a big change for you,” he replied, doctoring his roast beef and cheddar with more mayo.
“Definitely.” Why deny it? I could feel Rowan’s gaze pressing on me from across the table, but I ignored it. Besides, he’d heard me yammer on about my family. “I tried joining the family plumbing business, but my father can be a high-maintenance perfectionist too, so maybe it’s not that big of a change.”
The table grew quiet, and damn, I regretted my joke immediately. Read the room, dummy. Until Chris burst out laughing. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone give Rowan shit and get away with it.”
“Oh, was he talking?” Rowan asked, pretending to inspect his nails. “I’m so used to his voice droning on and on that I mostly tune him out.”
“Oooh, touché.” Chris clapped his hands, obviously amused, but my stomach tilted unsteadily. By now, I was used to his droll humor, so why did his opinion hit me differently sometimes—besides the fact that he was my boss?
“They have more in common than they’re willing to admit,” Kendall said as she lifted her napkin to dab at the corner of her lip. Kendall had once told me that most assistants didn’t last past three months. So maybe he didn’t want to go through the hassle of training someone else. Or maybe he secretly respected that I stood my ground. Though he’d never admit it. Go me.