Closer

“I can’t do this,” she says, and there’s a plea in her eyes.

“You’re going to be just fine,” I say, standing up and taking her hands in mine. “You’ve got this. We’re going to call the models in just like we talked about and find the perfect face for the new line. Just breathe with me.”

She smiles but does as I ask. We both take a breath at the same time and slowly let it out. I can feel some of the tension ease in her grip and she nods confidently.

“This line is incredible. You’re incredible. And you’ve got me, so there’s no way you can lose,” I say and wink at her.

She pulls me into her arms and gives me a tight hug. “God, what would I do without you?”

I grab the iPad with all the information on the models and my coffee before we go out. In the back of the studio there’s a large room we use for photography, both of the models and the merchandise. The goal today is to bring in each model and do some test shots. Then we’ll go through everything at the end of the day and decide which look and personality we think will fit best. It’s going to be a long afternoon, and though I’m excited I’m not exactly looking forward to being in the presence of Lucas all afternoon. But I’ve worked hard for this job so I’m going to pull on my big girl panties and get to work.

Rebecca and I smile at the line of women waiting to enter as we walk through the door of the photo room. It’s blindingly bright in here with all the lights and giant white walls that surround us. It’s an adjustment when we walk in, but I see the table in the center and follow Rebecca over to it. When I blink a few times, I see Lucas coming over to us.

I’m surprised when he comes straight to me and holds out my chair. His scent rolls over me and it’s a combination of fresh lemons and leather. His green eyes stare at me as if he can see inside me. Oh god, if only he could hear all the dirty thoughts going through my mind. He’s tall and muscular but not overly bulky. He looks toned under his suit and I can only imagine total perfection behind the expensive material. His dark hair is styled perfectly and there’s not a hair out of place. His jaw is shadowed with a day-old shave, but it doesn’t make him look sloppy. Instead it makes him look impossibly hotter and I have to force myself to not make inappropriate noises at just the sight of him.

I realize I’m staring and have to look away. I smile politely as he stands there holding my chair then take my seat. He’s being a gentleman, I tell myself and try not to act like a lunatic. I’m sure he does this for everyone. But when I look out of the corner of my eye, I see Rebecca grabbing her own chair and sitting down. Maybe he couldn’t catch hers in time because I was busy staring at him like the last cupcake in the bakery. Get it together, Ava.

“Lucas, this is Ava. She’s the reason we’re here today,” she says and beams at me with pride. “I couldn’t have done any of this without her encouragement and talent.”

“You’re the talent. I’m just the one who organizes your chaos,” I say, reaching out and squeezing her arms. “And you need to stop it or you’re going to make me blush.”

Suddenly I feel Lucas close against me.

“I think I’d like to see that,” he says, and I realize his lips are at my ear.

He wants to see me blush? Oh god, this guy has no idea how easy that’s going to be.

“I’m going to have to ask my sister why she hasn’t introduced us sooner.”

That’s all he says before I feel him step away and take the remaining seat on the other side of Rebecca. Praise God, because I don’t think I can be next to that kind of power for more than a few seconds at a time. Jesus, the man is like a magnet and every part of my body is being pulled toward him.

I place my hand on my heart and take a breath before I grab the iPad and go over the models. Maybe seeing him look over these women like horses in a parade will kick whatever attraction I have to him.

“First up we have Amanda from Top Model. She’s five ten, one hundred and seven pounds, and twenty years old,” I say, clicking through her info.

As soon as I get the words out of my mouth, Amanda walks through the door. She takes about three steps before Lucas speaks up.